Heal Your Brain

Exploring the new neuropsychiatry.
by David J. Hellerstein, M.D.

Your Wandering Mind

When you close your eyes and let your mind wander, where does it go? Could depression be a disorder of excessive mind-wandering? Read More

Can TETRIS Prevent PTSD?

Neuroscientists try to interrupt the deposition of traumatic memories associated with PTSD—with the video game Tetris and the old standby morphine. Read More

On Trauma and Resilience: 10 Years After 9/11

All of us are haunted by memories of 9/11...how can we best cope with a fear-filled world? Read More

"How Can I Become More Resilient?"

Coping with unprecedented, unpredictable stresses of today's world--is it possible to learn to increase your resilience? Read More

Don't Forget the Brain! Physical Health is Key to Treating Depression

Recent research proves that physical health has a profound effect on the brain, and in turn the health of the brain has a profound impact on the course of psychiatric disorders. Brain health is thus now an essential component of the care of depression and anxiety disorders--and physical health is essential in maintaining a healthy brain! Read More

Medications, Therapy, Exercise in Treating Depression...All Remodel the Brain

Treatments for depression, including medicines and psychotherapy, remodel the brain. It is becoming increasingly possible to undo the damage associated with major depression and anxiety disorders...and to achieve recovery. Read More

The Crucial Importance of Treating Depression to 'Remission'

It is important not only to get a patient's depression to 'respond' to treatment (symptoms about half-way better) but to get the person so much better that their symptoms are basically no different from a person without depression. Read More

Depression and Anxiety Disorders Damage Your Brain, Especially When Untreated

Study after study shows that clinical depression and anxiety disorders--not to mention severe conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and drug abuse--cause measurable changes in key areas of the brain. Read More

Neuroplasticity and Depression

In the past decade it has become clear how the brain constantly remodels itself through adult life...both causing and possibly allowing recovery from disorders Read More

Heal Your Brain: Introduction to the New Neuropsychiatry

Given the thousands of neuroscience studies over the past few decades, is it possible to distill basic principles that can improve treatment of depression and anxiety disorders? Here are 6 key principles to improving outcome of treatment. Read More

David J. Hellerstein, M.D., is a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, and a research psychiatrist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.

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Books by David Hellerstein, M.D.

Image of Heal Your Brain: How the New Neuropsychiatry Can Help You Go from Better to Well
Heal Your Brain: How the New Neuropsychiatry Can Help You Go from Better to Well
Image of A Family of Doctors
A Family of Doctors
Image of Battles of Life and Death: The Discoveries of a Young Doctor during his Medical Education
Battles of Life and Death: The Discoveries of a Young Doctor during his Medical Education
Image of Loving Touches
Loving Touches
Image of Stone Babies
Stone Babies