Main description:

There are millions of people who experience issues related to brain health-depression, attention issues, anxiety, forgetfulness, fatigue, and even chronic pain-yet can't figure out what's causing their problems and can't find any relief. They may have seen a myriad of doctors, many of whom do not take their complaints seriously, or worse, turn to the easy, often inappropriate fix of antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. Traditional medications, supplements, or other therapies haven't worked. No matter what their age-from children to teens or seniors-people and their loved ones are frustrated, scared, and confused by their continued poor health. Countless others display severe psychiatric symptoms that seem to come out of nowhere, ranging from tics, obsessive-compulsive behaviors and anxiety, to depression, bipolar-like mood swings, and even borderline personality disorder and suicidal ideas. Sometimes, the people affected are the only ones that notices a change to the way they think or feel, and they suffer in silence. Or, they reach out to try to get help, and are all too frequently misdiagnosed.

David Younger, a world-renowned physician, provides relief to these patients and their families. His diagnostic techniques and treatment protocols will help readers identify the true cause of their symptoms and put them on a clear path to healing so they no longer feel unbalanced, out of control, forgetful, and exhausted.

The Autoimmune Brain connects common brain health symptoms to the changes in the immune system, and particularly bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Younger explains his groundbreaking research and adds a new component: how traumatic stress (whether physical or emotional) and genetics affects this same triad as inextricable factors in initiating disease and brain health symptoms. In fact, a change in personality, behavior, coping style, and one's emotional state may be the first clue that there is a health problem brewing somewhere else in the body.

Readers will find new answers to troubling conditions, including: Alzheimer's disease; Anxiety; Arthritis; Autism; Autonomic disturbances; Bacterial and viral infections; Bipolar Disorder; Cancer; Celiac disease and gluten intolerances; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (now referred to as Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease); Chronic Pain; Dementia; Depression; Endocrine Disorders; Immune modulatory therapy using IVIg; Lyme disease and co-infections; Mast cell activation syndrome; Medical cannabis; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Orthostatic hypotension; Peripheral Neuropathy; Porphyria; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; and Postural orthostatic tachycardia.

Contents:

Preface

Introduction

PART I: Understanding I-Cubed

1 The Basics of Brain Health and Autoimmunity

2 How the Brain Develops

3 Is My Problem Neuropsychiatric or Psychiatric?

4 Own Your Genetics

PART II: TAPES: A 5-Step Action Plan

5 Test for an Autoimmune Disturbance 53

6 Apply Immune Modulatory and Pain Therapies

7 Participate in Therapies that Address Stress and Mental Health Concerns

8 Eat and Exercise to Restore Brain Health and Reset the Immune System

9 Survey Your Environment for Toxic Exposures

PART III: Autoimmune Diseases That Affect Brain Health

10 Developmental Disorders Affecting Children and Teens

11 Sore Throats Lead to Sore Heads: On the Lookout for PANDAS and PANS

12 The Gut-Brain Connection: Celiac Disease and Beyond

13 Concussions Leave Their Mark

14 Neuroendocrine and Mast Cell Activity Determine How You Respond to Stress

15 Porphyria: A Misdiagnosed Neurogenetic Disorder

16 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Relief for Exhausted Patients

17 Lyme Disease: The Great Imitator or the Great Trigger?

18 Spondyloarthropathy: I-Cubed and Genetically Predetermined Joint Diseases

19 Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Brain on Fire

20 Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: Autoimmune Insights

21 Putting It All Together to Resolve Your Health

Notes

Index