'The Brain's Way of Healing' by Dr. Norman Doidge

Hey Kelcie, Cheers for the heads up that he has a new book. Reading TBTCI was a turning point in my recovery and it lead me to pursue further therapy in a research setting. I find it somewhat perplexing, that many doctors and allied health professionals still talk about the window for recovery, whether that window be 3 months, 6 months or 12 months or worse still give pessimistic prognosis for recovery. My experience is that the brain is plastic forever and with access to quality ongoing therapy survivors can continue to pursue recovery goals if that's what they wish to do.How is his second book different to his first?

Hi Karen, So great to hear you were inspired to take you recovery into your own hands after reading TBTCI (love your acronym!). I've only just started reading TBWOH and sadly haven't picked it up much this week but compared to his first book I would say that this one discusses the science of neuroplasticity more and share insights into different theories or approaches to healing. Much like his first book it is an easy and elegant read. He continues to use patient stories to bring the science alive which is wonderful. He also shares examples of non-invasive & holistic therapies (involving different energies) that can be harnessed to change the brain's electrical activity and literally 'awaken' parts which are under-responsive or dormant. For me it is also interesting to see a neuroscientist talk about the influence the mind has on the brain and draw on theories long used in Eastern practice. It's helping me expand my own thinking!

I really enjoyed the 1st book, even got the DVD. Didn't know about a 2nd, it's true about 'our' practitioners not updating/learning more.

I haven't begun on his new book. By the way,Norman Doidge is a philosopher, researcher and author, not a neuroscientist himself. I lost patience with his "The Brain that Changes itself" mainly because he's made trips to Australia but never talked about clinics here that we can avail ourselves of, and many of the stroke success stories I read of were of wealthy people in America going to clinics in America. I even rang the ABC to try to catch him before he moved on to ask him about comparable places for us to go to here without the expense of tripping to America. It seemed to me that his trips were a quick money making fly in fly out venture to sell his books Perhaps I'll return to his book to dip into the philosophical section next. But time is always running out for me.