What do you think?
Rate this book
Brain Inflamed
From renowned integrative physician Kenneth Bock, M.D., comes a groundbreaking approach to understanding adolescent and teen mental health disorders.
Over the past decade, the number of 12- to 17-year-olds suffering from mental health disorders has more than doubled. While adolescents and teens are notorious for mood swings and rebellion, parents today are navigating new terrain as their children are increasingly at risk of struggling with a mental health issue. But the question What is causing this epidemic of illness? In Brain Inflamed, acclaimed integrative doctor Dr. Kenneth Bock shares a revolutionary new view of adolescent and teen mental health—one that suggests many of the mental disorders most common among this population (including depression, anxiety, and OCD) may share the same underlying systemic inflammation. In this groundbreaking work, Dr. Bock explains the essential role of the immune system and the microbiome in mental health, detailing the ways in which imbalances in these systems—such as autoimmune conditions, thyroid disorders, or leaky gut syndrome—can generate neurological inflammation. While most conventional doctors assume that teens’ psychological struggles can be resolved only with therapy and psychotropic drugs, Dr. Bock’s approach considers the whole-body health of his patients. In his integrative evaluations, he often uncovers triggers such as gluten sensitivity, adrenal dysfunction, Lyme disease, and post-strep infections—all of which create imbalances in the body that can generate psychological symptoms. Filled with incredible stories from Dr. Bock’s more than thirty years as a practicing physician, Brain Inflamed explains the biological underpinnings of many common mental health issues, and empowers the parents and family members of struggling teens with practical advice—and perhaps most importantly, hope for a brighter future.
Over the past decade, the number of 12- to 17-year-olds suffering from mental health disorders has more than doubled. While adolescents and teens are notorious for mood swings and rebellion, parents today are navigating new terrain as their children are increasingly at risk of struggling with a mental health issue. But the question What is causing this epidemic of illness? In Brain Inflamed, acclaimed integrative doctor Dr. Kenneth Bock shares a revolutionary new view of adolescent and teen mental health—one that suggests many of the mental disorders most common among this population (including depression, anxiety, and OCD) may share the same underlying systemic inflammation. In this groundbreaking work, Dr. Bock explains the essential role of the immune system and the microbiome in mental health, detailing the ways in which imbalances in these systems—such as autoimmune conditions, thyroid disorders, or leaky gut syndrome—can generate neurological inflammation. While most conventional doctors assume that teens’ psychological struggles can be resolved only with therapy and psychotropic drugs, Dr. Bock’s approach considers the whole-body health of his patients. In his integrative evaluations, he often uncovers triggers such as gluten sensitivity, adrenal dysfunction, Lyme disease, and post-strep infections—all of which create imbalances in the body that can generate psychological symptoms. Filled with incredible stories from Dr. Bock’s more than thirty years as a practicing physician, Brain Inflamed explains the biological underpinnings of many common mental health issues, and empowers the parents and family members of struggling teens with practical advice—and perhaps most importantly, hope for a brighter future.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2020
50 people are currently reading
719 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 4, 2021
Misleading subtitle. Reads like a medical school textbook rather than anything which teens or parents can actually apply.
June 18, 2021
I think this is a must read book for parents. It would help you to understand how health related issues could lead to long term psychological problems in children and teens.
August 2, 2021
Too many non-scientifically proven "remedies."
August 16, 2021
I cannot say everything I read was new information, but to see it all combined together was a bit alarming. I think we are just beginning to touch the surface of the increasingly harmful impact the environment has had on our physical & mental health.
Dr. Bock explains some of the mysteries behind the countless cases of autoimmune disorders. His book makes you wish every doctor was willing to uncover the root causes of all that ails us with patience & curiosity instead of dismissing us with a prescription in hand. Who new fluoride mimics iodine in the body & disrupts our hormones? The same is true of too much swimming in a chlorinated pool. The author links our genetics to the environment & he explains why things affect some, but not others.
I didn't agree with everything written though I would certainly advocate that some of his theories be explored further. Overall, a very interesting read if you keep an open mind. Parents can benefit from this book because it mostly focuses on children & it includes many patient stories.
Dr. Bock explains some of the mysteries behind the countless cases of autoimmune disorders. His book makes you wish every doctor was willing to uncover the root causes of all that ails us with patience & curiosity instead of dismissing us with a prescription in hand. Who new fluoride mimics iodine in the body & disrupts our hormones? The same is true of too much swimming in a chlorinated pool. The author links our genetics to the environment & he explains why things affect some, but not others.
I didn't agree with everything written though I would certainly advocate that some of his theories be explored further. Overall, a very interesting read if you keep an open mind. Parents can benefit from this book because it mostly focuses on children & it includes many patient stories.
March 23, 2022
There were a few surprises in here and it's informative to anyone who tends to see the world in only one dimension, asserting that so much of our suffering comes down to a handful of isolated problems. I disagree with Bock mostly in the title. This book does not uncover *the* hidden causes but helps to clarify how commonly experienced bacterial infections can have big impacts on a young person's mental health. The thought that came to mind as I got toward the end of the book is that if school was more enjoyable then we would likely catch these somewhat rare occurrences more often. The stories Bock shares are extreme examples but there are many mild cases that are likely ignored because "that's just teenagers."
My only warning is that it's a little scary as a parent.
My only warning is that it's a little scary as a parent.
March 23, 2024
This book was an interesting take on what could possibly be causing the symptoms my son has been experiencing that all doctors keep telling me are behavioral.
I will be spending some time on expanding my knowledge of these concepts.
I found it to be logical and easy to read why providing me many new ideas to explore in the hopes of finding a cause for the behaviors I know are not natural for my child.
I will be spending some time on expanding my knowledge of these concepts.
I found it to be logical and easy to read why providing me many new ideas to explore in the hopes of finding a cause for the behaviors I know are not natural for my child.
May 8, 2021
The immune system and overall physical health can greatly contribute to imbalances in the body which may lead to psychological symptoms.
Tick-borne diseases, thyroid dysfunction, allergies, adrenal dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, nutritional sensitivities or toxicity can all affect a balanced immune system and produce psychological symptoms.
Tick-borne diseases, thyroid dysfunction, allergies, adrenal dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, nutritional sensitivities or toxicity can all affect a balanced immune system and produce psychological symptoms.
March 11, 2025
Truly eye opening!
This book is full of science and can be a bit of a slow read at times. However, the case examples give light to new possibilities for behavioral and mental health challenges not normally explored by the medical community.
This is a great resource for anyone looking for a way forward when traditional diagnosis have failed.
This book is full of science and can be a bit of a slow read at times. However, the case examples give light to new possibilities for behavioral and mental health challenges not normally explored by the medical community.
This is a great resource for anyone looking for a way forward when traditional diagnosis have failed.
May 10, 2023
Have kids with irrational reasons why they are not feeling well? Maybe it's something hidden... recurrent infections, mold toxicity, whatever the case may be... this book may lead you on a path that helps!
December 30, 2021
Dr. Bock is always an informative read. As in all his books, I learned a lot!
June 11, 2022
He did a superb job on this book. Explains everything in detail. Reviews treatments down to every med and why. Extremely helpful for a new PANDAS mom. Very thankful I found this book.
February 6, 2024
holistic approach to mental health…don’t sleep on your thyroid or adrenal glands!
Read
January 9, 2025Must read for those dealing with anxiety and depression or any other teen mood disorders. This was eye-opening.
November 8, 2021
Easy to understand if you have a bit of background. I wish I knew all of this 12 years ago.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews