Emotional Black Holes by Grant J. Hallstrom

Emotional Black Holes
written by Grant J. Hallstrom
publisher: ClearStone Publishing

Think about your social circle, your family, neighbors, co-workers, etc. How many of those people are suffering from depression, addiction, and self damaging behaviors? For most of us, probably at least five to ten people we know, at any given time, are finding themselves in that emotional black hole, that void, the sadness that doesn't go away. Maybe you are suffering yourself.

Recognizing the problem is the first step. Then comes finding the way out, and fighting for the life that is valuable and worth living. The journey out can begin with the book by Grant J. Hallstrom, Emotional Black Holes.

The author has written a moving and thought provoking account of his own journey from his own "black hole". By using this book as a guide, you will see that you are not alone in the journey; and will glean helpful ideas for yourself or others. Chapters include dealing with lust, temptation, addiction, even the addiction of religion. You may know someone who is a control freak, or by reading this book you may realize that you are the control freak. There is hope for healing and help for everyone suffering from any form of depression and emotional emptiness or vacuum.

Today's world brings trials and problems for all of us. Getting the help we need to deal with our trials and problems can be daunting; by reading this book you can and will be helping yourself or someone you know find the way out of that black hole. There is hope on the other side. Hallstrom has given us a valuable help in finding the way up and out.

A Ground Breaking Work, But Not For Beginners

Humanizing Madness: Psychiatry and the Cognitive Neurosciences

Author: Niall McLaren M.D.
Publisher: Future Psychiatry Press

There seem to be as many schools of thought on psychiatry as there are individuals in the practice of psychiatry. This excellent work by Niall McLaren M.D. takes a comprehensive and concise look at the major theories of the practice of psychiatry.

The book is well done, set up in a very easy to follow format. Each theory is explained in detail, and the author offers his opinion on the flaws and fallacies of each. It's obvious that much research and study has gone into each review, as well as into the problem areas and better working models. Will everyone agree with every opinion delivered by McLaren? Of course not. However, the review and research does lead to a rethinking of each theory; and many excellent and thought-provoking statements are made. I was particularly interested in the way the author viewed the theory regarding panic and anxiety attacks. It offered me an interesting perspective I had never considered before, and one that actually makes a lot of sense and is practical. I have suffered from panic and anxiety attacks personally for many years, and found much to ponder in his ideas and views.

This is not a book for beginners in psychology/psychiatry/neuroscience. I believe that to really understand and appreciate the depth of work that went into this publication, a reader would need a somewhat more intense understanding than just the basics of the science. I would recommend it to anyone with a working background in the field, and believe that they would find it as thought-provoking as I have.

It will definitely remain on my shelves as a future reference. I fully expect that at some point it will be recognized as a groundbreaking work in the field.