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Feel Better Fast and Make It Last: Unlock Your Brain’s Healing Potential to Overcome Negativity, Anxiety, Anger, Stress, and Trauma

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If you want to feel happier, more optimistic, more joyful, and resilient, Dr. Amen's groundbreaking new book is for you.
We've all felt anxious, sad, traumatized, grief-stricken, stressed, angry, or hopeless at some point in life. It's perfectly normal to go through emotional crises or have periods when you feel panicked or out of sorts. It is how you respond to these challenges that will make all the difference in how you feel--not just immediately, but also in the long run. Unfortunately, many people turn to self-medicating behaviors, such as overeating, drugs, alcohol, risky sexual behavior, anger, or wasting time on mindless TV, video games, Internet surfing, or shopping. And even though these behaviors may give temporary relief from feeling bad, they usually only prolong and exacerbate the problems--or cause other, more serious ones.

Is it possible to feel better--and make it last?

Renowned physician, psychiatrist, brain-imaging researcher, and founder of Amen Clinics Dr. Daniel Amen understands how critical it is for you to know what will help you feel better fast, now and later. In Feel Better Fast and Make It Last, you'll discover new, powerful brain-based strategies to quickly gain control over anxiety, worry, sadness, stress and anger, strengthening your resilience and giving you joy and purpose for a lifetime.

384 pages, Hardcover

Published November 13, 2018

546 people are currently reading
2366 people want to read

About the author

Daniel G. Amen

193 books1,441 followers
The Washington Post called Dr. Daniel Amen the most popular psychiatrist in America and Sharecare.com named him the web's most influential expert and advocate on mental health.
Daniel Amen is a life-long Christian and graduate of Oral Roberts University School of Medicine. He is a double board-certified psychiatrist and multiple NY Times bestselling author, with such blockbuster books as Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, Healing ADD, Change Your Brain, Change Your Body, and The Daniel Plan, co-authored by Pastor Rick Warren and Dr. Mark Hyman. In November 2016, he and his wife Tana published The Brain Warrior's Way.
Dr. Amen is the founder of Amen Clinics, which has 6 locations across the United States. Amen Clinics has the world's largest database of brain scans related to behavior, totaling more than 125,000 SPECT scans on patients from 111 countries.
Dr. Amen's research team has published more than 70 scientific articles on a wide variety of topics related to brain health. He is the lead researcher on the largest brain imaging study on active and retired NFL players and was a consultant on the movie Concussion starring Will Smith. In 2016, Discover Magazine named his brain imaging work for psychiatric diagnoses as one of the top 100 stories in all of science.
Dr. Amen has also hosted 11 national public television shows about the brain, which have aired more than 80,000 times across North America and raised more than 75 million dollars for stations.

You can connect with Dr. Amen on Facebook and Twitter

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Profile Image for Monica H (TeaandBooks).
824 reviews87 followers
October 31, 2018
Are you struggling with negative thoughts, anxiety, or stress? Are you looking for a holistic method to improve your thought life and your health? Dr. Daniel Amen has a plan to help in Feel Better Fast and Make It Last.


Feel Better Fast and Make It Last from the "brain doctor" uses what Dr. Amen calls the BRAIN-XL approach. This is an acronym for the program that Dr. Amen recommends for lasting change. B is for Brain. In this section, Dr. Amen shares both short and long-term techniques for healing your thought life and making lasting changes. R stands for Rational Mind. In this section, Dr. Amen helps readers learn to conquer worry and negativity so they feel happier. Part 3 is the letter A for Attachments where Dr. Amen gives advice for improving relationships and eliminating relationship hurts. I stands for Inspiration and in section 4, Dr. Amen helps readers learn to live with passion and purpose and to avoid depression. N stands for Nourishment. In this section, Dr. Amen discusses which foods help you feel better and how to get the nutrients your body needs so you can be at your best. In Part 6, Dr. Amen talks about the X factor. In this section, readers learn 10 practical ways to think differently based on the results of over 150,000 brain scans that Dr. Amen has researched. The last section is L for Love. In this section, Dr. Amen talks about how important it is to do the right thing as the "ultimate act of love for self and others."


Feel Better Fast and Make it Last also has two appendixes in which Dr. Amen answers common questions about finding more help and a quick mental health check up to help guide readers to the type of help they need.


I enjoy reading health-related books and I have read a few of Dr. Amen's books. I appreciate that he writes clearly, but not above those of us who aren't doctors, so everyone can understand him. I like that this book has ideas for ways to help yourself feel better quickly and it also has ways to help yourself long term. It is well-organized and easy to follow from beginning to end. It isn't a quick read as there is a lot of information in this book, but it is worth the time to read if you are struggling. I also like that he shares stories about real people, about people in the Bible, and about things most of us can relate to like the movie, Pollyanna. Implementing these changes not only causes the reader to feel better faster, but I think they improve relationships too. I have already seen some of the short-term changes work. I also like that Dr. Amen's program are holistic--he encourages people to work on improving through changing thoughts, having a good spiritual life, eating better, exercising and improving relationships. I think it would be a good book to do in a group to encourage each other to make the changes--and to share the positive results. I would recommend it to everyone. I received an advance copy for review. Right now this book is available for pre-order and will be released on November 13, 2018.


I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
Profile Image for Reza.
45 reviews17 followers
June 25, 2020
After watching some videos from Dr. Amen, I got curious to know more about his findings and recommendations. This book was one of his latest books and also a comprehensive one, kind of a summary to all the necessary topics with a focoused on "fast" result, which sound a very good choice for me.

He believes, and proves in some ways, that to have a good life we must have a good brain and passion in the first place, which he describes as the hardware and software of our thinking. Through the book he recommends some applicable improvements in daily life styles -from what to eat, how to control thoughts, what sport to exercise, ...- which he asserts that will quickly improves the mood and life of the readers, and also will last for their life long.

It was a good read for me :)
Profile Image for Marilyn.
282 reviews7 followers
June 10, 2019
Written by a noted psychiatrist, this work looks at psychological problems from the point of view of the physical brain as well as the mind. Many relationship problems are the result of a dysfunctional prefrontal cortex or damaged brain. He gives advice on how to correct the problems using good nutrition, exercise, and spiritual healing rather than surgery in most cases. The advice is straightforward and encouraging and inspiring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ricardo Galante.
12 reviews2 followers
April 8, 2020
Very interesting tips and insights on how the brain works and how to get it healthier and better in general.
Profile Image for Dianna.
592 reviews25 followers
November 17, 2020
The one book I can full hearteadly recommend when it comes to balancing everything that has to do with your anxiety is Feel Better Fast and Make It Last. In this book you will find everything shared as a menu or to do list, when it comes to resolving your issues with anxiety, depression, anger, etc.

Seriously, I can’t recommend this book enough.

Other books I 100% recommend is everything written by the queen of calming your nerves: Claire Weekes. Truly helpful!
72 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2018
Ever feel like you’re out of control? Are you anxious? Worried? Sad? Stressed? Angry? Dr. Daniel Amen offers hope for you – hope through a four-pronged approach to health: biological, psychological, social, and spiritual. (p. xxi)

After 30 years of focusing on the brain and creating the world’s largest database of nearly 150,000 SPECT scans on patients from 120 countries, Dr. Amen has revealed the BRAIN-XL framework to help his patients “feel better fast and make it last.” (p. xx-xxi)

- B for “Brain.” Whenever you have negative emotions, you must have a strategy to refocus your emotions. You must also work to optimize your physical functioning of the brain and shift your thinking habits to more positive practices.
- R for “Rational Mind.” Developing mental disciplines like quieting your mind and practicing gratitude are key.
- A for “Attachments.” Improving relationships and dealing with painful memories can help you achieve better outcomes.
- I for “Inspiration.” Knowing your purpose creates healthier, happier, and longer lives.
- N for “Nourishment.” Yes, our brains are affected by what we put into our bodies. Dr. Amen provides information on helpful diets, herbs and spices, and supplements.
- X for the “X-Factor.” Thinking differently about the brain led to ten lessons that changed Dr. Amen’s approach to brain health. He reveals them in this book.
- L for “Love.” Caring for your body and brain affects your health and the health of generations to come. Chapter 12 begins with a subtitle quote, “Love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus, Mark 12:31” (p. 277)

Each chapter contains images of healthy and unhealthy brains, techniques to use to improve the brain, anecdotes of real patients and their progress, and “tiny habits that can make you fee better fast – and lead to big changes.”

Throughout the book, Dr. Amen includes Scripture. He values prayer and has included the Peace Prayer of St. Francis. (p. 285)

Dr. Amen’s focus is making a great difference in the lives of others.

“I see pursuing good health as the ultimate act of love.” (p. 277)

A somewhat technical book written so that a layperson can understand, Feel Better Fast and Make It Last, has already made a difference in my life, as I have tried some of the techniques and tiny habits, and I will be trying more in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.

9 reviews2 followers
May 14, 2023
I read ‘the body keeps the score’ before this book and I don’t know if this was a good or bad thing… Whereas ‘the body keeps the score’ combines a high level science with levels emotional depth and empathy that almost match a Dostojevski roman, this book hardly surpasses the level of a boring self help book and was very hard to finish (to be honest: I didn’t). This is a real pity because the science in this book seems very solid (although I’m no expert) and the author is honest and a real expert, but in my eyes one simply cannot write about and deal with hard childhood trauma and similar troubles in a spirit of ‘quick fixes’ and simple exercises. I don’t doubt that they would help if applied correctly, but the book doensn’t convey the right tone. Don’t get me wrong, as there is also much overlap in the types of advice/therapies that both books prescribe, but this book presents them as way to superficial and easy.
Profile Image for Ashley.
1,671 reviews148 followers
dnf
March 24, 2021
I am more than a little bit surprised by all the 5 star reviews... I found this book very hard to slog through and after checking it out from the library at least 5 times and not being able to make it more than 150 ebook pages, I've finally just accepted that it doesn't work for me.
He has some good bits of advice here and there, and I can see why some of this would really work for people. But I found myself rolling my eyes more than a few times and just couldn't take him seriously after he says that part of why we're miserable and our brains suffer is because we handle receipts and something on those receipts gets into our brains and ruins us 🙄
So... Ya... I had to just accept that this one is not for me. 🤷🏻‍♀️
Profile Image for Thomas Lynch.
9 reviews
June 19, 2019
Some good information. I felt a 300 page "come on" advertisment for a SPECT scan or Amen Clinic visit.

A LOT of pontification and heavily repeated information. Unmemorable actions and anecdotal remedies. Why suggest all this stuff to people with memory fog and cognitive decline who cant remember it?? Yes everybody is different ----- but what one or two things work for most!!! Not seven or 10.

Checking another book now and the first 40 pages are ground hog day??
Profile Image for Yvie.
304 reviews17 followers
October 31, 2018
We've all felt anxious, sad, traumatized, grief-stricken, stressed, angry, or hopeless at some point in life. It s perfectly normal to go through emotional crises or have periods when you feel panicked or out of sorts. It is how you respond to these challenges that will make all the difference in how you feel not just immediately, but also in the long run. Unfortunately, many people turn to self-medicating behaviors, such as overeating, drugs, alcohol, risky sexual behavior, anger, or wasting time on mindless TV, video games, Internet surfing, or shopping. And even though these behaviors may give temporary relief from feeling bad, they usually only prolong and exacerbate the problems or cause other, more serious ones. Is it possible to feel better and make it last? Renowned physician, psychiatrist, brain-imaging researcher, and founder of Amen Clinics Dr. Daniel Amen understands how critical it is for you to know what will help you feel better fast, now and later. In Feel Better Fast and Make It Last, you ll discover new, powerful brain-based strategies to quickly gain control over anxiety, worry, sadness, stress and anger, strengthening your resilience and giving you joy and purpose for a lifetime.

In my former life, I was a counselor, and this would be the kind of book that I would pull out as both a reference and recommendation for clients. Divided into seven separate sections, the book breaks down the concepts of nourishment, attachment, love, rationality, and inspiration as they relate to the brain. It also covers the basic neurology of the brain and what it terms the "X-Factor," which was lessons learned from brain scans of patients, along with their patient histories. Finally, there is a section with FAQs, a quiz / checklist, information about common blood tests from the doctor (as they relate to the brain), and a long list of resources and works cited. If I had to choose only one section for the busy person to read from this book, it would be the N-Nourishment section, as improper nourishment is often the root of many Western problems. My biggest gripe with the book is the overuse of acronyms...one or two make it easy to remember steps, but several just get confusing.
Profile Image for Sarah.
958 reviews32 followers
December 1, 2018
Feel Better Fast and Make It Last by M.D., Daniel G. Amen is a stunning work to the neuroscience industry. This book is is a great tool on the brain for any individual. Whether you have a medical degree or are you looking to understand more about the brain, this book is user friendly for anyone. One of the biggest takeaways I got from this book is that we all need to understand our brain and support it. Regardless of our age, not all brains, even healthy are the same. Which is something Daniel had found in his SPECT scans. Each person requires a different type of unique treatment and there isn't a one size fits all method, which is something commonly mis-understood in our culture today. I love learning about how to naturally support your brain with herbs, vitamins, etc. Finally, a doctor telling people how to support their brain with natural supplements, which is awesome!

He explains so many things in the book that I have never understood with the brain, but he spends a lot of time in diet as well. He says that many people often are afraid of fat in our culture, so they do fat free, but did you know that has a higher percent of people facing cognitive impairments and dementia!! Why??? Because they pump everything with Sugar!! Fat isn't the problem, sugar is! Did you also know that corn is sprayed every year with glyphosate pesticide Roundup, which has been associated with cancer, depression and so many other diseases!

I could go on and on about the things I've learned and have highlighted in this book, but overall this book is amazing! If you love to learn, grab a copy today! I have really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Pam Ecrement.
61 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2018
Dr. Daniel Amen, psychiatrist, and founder of Amen Clinics, has written numerous books propelling him to the top of the New York Times “Best Seller” ten times. His newest book, Feel Better Fast and Make it Last, it likely to increase that number.

Dr. Amen’s passion to improve the health and lives of his patients resulted in his innovative brain studies using SPECT scans. Though he was not revered for his work initially, the years of research by him and his staff including SPECT scans of 150,000 patients have rewarded him with proof that looking at a person’s brain is the best way to help a person move toward a healthy brain and a productive life.

The subtitle of this newest book, Feel Better Fast and Make It Last, is Unlock Your Brain’s Healing Potential to Overcome Negativity, Anxiety, Anger, Stress, and Trauma. The book is divided into seven parts known as the BRAIN - XL approach

Reading this book will provide you with a holistic approach to not only better brain health, but also improve and strengthen physical, relational, occupational, and spiritual aspects of your life.

I have read many other books by Dr. Amen and participated in his professional workshops as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. This latest book adds new strategies and recommendations any layman will find informative and useful.

Profile Image for Lindsey.
206 reviews
March 6, 2025
I’ve only done a few things from this book but I’ve found them to be helpful. His research is very interesting, applicable, in many ways unconventional. The only thing that felt off was a chapter at the end claiming that murderers and adulterers just have bad brains. I couldn’t help thinking that he’d spent the last 10 hours telling me how our actions change our brains. There’s great research showing that one week of violent video games negatively affects brain function in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system (Yang Wang, Tom Hummer, Willian Kronenberger, Kristine Mosier, and Vincent P. Mathews, 2011 is the particular one I’m referencing but there are dozens if not more well done studies on this. I found 15 in 5 min with a quick internet search). If only playing violent video games negatively affects brain function, I wonder what murder would do to someone’s brain function? I agree that murderers and adulterers could benefit from brain rehabilitation but I’m very skeptical that their bad brains-separate from any life choices-made them do it in the first place. Other than that, everything else seemed well researched, and matched up well with other research I’ve read.
Profile Image for Rosa Frei.
191 reviews4 followers
January 23, 2019
An eye-opening, powerful book about the life-changing possibilities of brain scans that have the potential to treat many of todays illnesses successfully.

The author, Dr. Daniel G. Amen, discusses in his book 'Feel Better Fast', why it is essential to take good care to our brain. Most importantly he gives plenty of easy following tips and advice on how to keep the brain healthy, or heal it from injuries. The book contains numerous case studies and discusses scientific researches on how to heal the brain. It's an easy to understand book that has been written by someone who genuinely cares about people and has a mission to reduce suffering.

A highly recommendable book for anybody who likes to know more about possible causes of misbehaviour or diseases, who wants to learn how to keep the brain healthy.
Profile Image for Yvonne Glasgow.
Author 17 books69 followers
November 2, 2018
If you want a comprehensive guide to overcoming “negativity, anxiety, anger, stress, and trauma,” Daniel G. Amen, MD, has taken his experience as a psychiatrist to develop this book to help you become more optimistic and happier. ‘Feel Better Fast And Make It Last‘ is a book that will change your life, if you read it and follow what it says.

There is so much stuff in this book that you’ll initially be overwhelmed by it – but don’t fret, once you get into the strategies, exercises, and steps that are described throughout, you’ll start getting a better understanding.

Read the rest of my review at https://glassgoatpublishing.com/2018/...

I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Filiz Gunes.
3 reviews2 followers
July 3, 2020
Every one should read one of his books if they intend to learn about the brain health and improve their brain. It will change your opinion related to brain after reading this book; it is all about how to have a better brain and how to overcome brain related health problems like anxiety, depression, brain fog, stress based on scientific foundings. The brain might have health problems just like any other organ heart, stomach and other but if we see it as mental or craziness we cannot help ourselves or others that we love if needed. We need to understand deeply why we behave in an manner sometimes like a crazy which might be caused by health issues throughout our body or blood sugar levels or etc.
1,324 reviews11 followers
November 13, 2018
I am very interested in the brain so this book was right up my alley. Even though it is very textbook like I still found externally interesting and I am trying so of the techniques listed in this book.

I have added some supplements to my diet and trying some of the breathing exercises and using them in my class hoping to get them more focused. As a teacher I also appreciated a deeper look into why some of my students might act the way they do.

This is long book but worth the time if you want to know more about how your brain works and ways to heal it.


A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own. 
Profile Image for Brian Kurzhal.
39 reviews2 followers
September 24, 2019
Seven types of Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs): 1) All or nothing ANTs (thinking that things are either all good, or all bad); 2) Just the bad ANTs (seeing only the bad in a situation); 3) Guilt-beating ANTs (thinking in words of should, must, or have-to); 4) Labeling ANTs (attaching a negative label to yourself or someone else); 5) Fortune teller ANTs (predicting the worst possible outcome in a situation with little or no evidence for it); 6) Mind-reader ANTs (believing you know what other people are thinking even though they haven't told you); 7) Blaming ANTs (blaming someone else for your problems).
Profile Image for Eli Myron.
13 reviews
June 13, 2023
Absolutely loved this book because it genuinely felt like a beginner's guide to a healthier life. The book is extremely science-based, and each page seems to be fully optimized to provide the most useful information possible to the reader. Some of the facts and stories about the links between brain health and mental health and/or physical health are also quite shocking. I think the coolest takeaway I got from this book was that the health of your brain has a major influence on your life, and you actually have a lot of control over that. It feels really empowering to know that just by taking care of your brain and making smarter decisions for it, you can dramatically increase your chances of living a more enriching and fulfilling life.
Profile Image for Sheila Garry.
830 reviews11 followers
January 21, 2020
This renowned psychiatrist explains how the brain works and strategies to enhance its functioning. That sounds like a dry and boring book but it isn’t.
He tackles, among many subjects, the ANTS (automatic negative thoughts) that we all have, reversing depression, memory problems!, breathing techniques, and much more.
One of the things I did as soon as I finished this book was to create a Feel Good music playlist. It’s hard to be down when Dancing Queen is playing!!
Profile Image for T.K. Sheffield.
Author 4 books42 followers
September 22, 2022
Outstanding book that everyone should read! Improving one's health means taking positive steps, which includes reading this book. Dr. Amen's helpful, practical advice about healing trauma and overcoming anxiety is a must-read. Instead of looking for solutions that can be expensive, detrimental to one's body, or gimmicks, take a chance on this book. Reading (and journaling) are ways to improve one's health.
302 reviews
February 21, 2024
Useful review/smorgasbord of self-help. Almost too much info to put directly into play, and maybe a bit superficial. But I like his positivity and optimism and it is a useful handbook and reference. I really like the idea of committing to caring for your brain and making things easier for yourself and enjoyed the neuroscience - summed down enough to be digestible but not so much as to be insultingly simple. I liked this book enough to buy it.
4 reviews
March 4, 2024
Sinceramente - não achei nada por ai além, como a maioria dos autores contemporâneos de livros de "auto-ajuda" Daniel Amen enrola, enrola, enrola e nunca diz nada, as partes cientificas são engraçadas mas infelizmente padecem do mesmo problema de muitos outros livros da mesma prateleira: as fontes ficam no ar e assim se perde a credibilidade toda. Não foi pessoalmente um livro que me ajudou grande coisa, espero que ajude outros certamente.
Profile Image for Luca Nicoletti.
233 reviews2 followers
April 15, 2024
A great book full of insights and suggestions on how to become a better version of yourself. The author, a well-renowned psychiatrist shows us how we can make small changes in our day-to-day lives to improve our mental health, and physical health as well. Really interesting topics, although if you’ve been in the self-help and personal development field for a while, there is nothing new or outstanding in this book that will blow your mind.
Profile Image for Marilyn Hansen.
293 reviews7 followers
January 12, 2025
This is the second book I've listened to by Dr. Amen and while there are similarities between the last book, there was still more to learn about having a healthy brain. I appreciated the many real stories of people who have been able to change their life by healing their brain. As with many books about living healthier, it is about diet, exercise, sleep and the right supplements for your body. I listened to this on audible but will buy the book for reference.
Profile Image for mohamed nouari.
51 reviews3 followers
November 13, 2020
This book Feel Better Fast and Make It Last clearly presents the workings of the brain and provides multiple strategies for optimizing it. It's well worth reading and then following these strategies.

Buy the ebook now Feel Better Fast and Make It Last
https://ebouks.com/product/feel-bette...
Profile Image for R.
131 reviews
October 30, 2023
One of my favorite books. I enjoyed listening to it, learned so much and I loved that there are so much practical advice in this book. Since I started listening to it, I have become a lot more conscious about my brain health. I'm sure I will go back to reading it again because there is just so much to learn from this book
Profile Image for Phil Levy.
31 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2018
Comprehensive and comprehensible insight into how the brain works and how to optimize it.

This book clearly presents the workings of the brain and provides multiple strategies for optimizing it. It's well worth reading and then following these strategies.
Profile Image for T.M. Jacobs.
Author 12 books1 follower
August 19, 2019
Both my wife and I have read this book. We caught part of Amen's PBS special and then downloaded the book. It's a quick read and full of great advice. Want to make some changes in your life, this book would be a good starting point.
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