A powerful documentary featuring Daniel G. Amen, MD, is set to be released November 10, 2020, on Amazon (DVD and SVOD). Based on Adam and Andrew Marr’s bestselling Tales from the Blast Factory, EMMY Award-winning director Jerri Sher’s latest documentary Quiet Explosions: Healing the Brain tells the compelling story of veterans and others whose lives were shattered after suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI), but who eventually made miraculous recoveries.
THE TBI/PTSD EPIDEMIC
Did you know 16.8 U.S. military veterans commit suicide every day? Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are underlying factors in many of those deaths. Every year, over 2 million Americans—military and others—sustain a TBI. Even when it doesn’t lead to suicide, TBI and PTSD can ruin a person’s life.
Head trauma is a major cause of psychiatric illness, but very few people know it because most mental health professionals never look at the brains of their patients. Research shows that TBIs increase the risk of:
- Anxiety
- Panic disorders
- Depression
- ADD/ADHD
- Memory problems/dementia
- Anger issues
- Psychosis
- Personality disorders
- PTSD
- Suicide
At Amen Clinics, brain SPECT imaging shows that 40% of patients have experienced some form of head trauma. Many patients don’t remember experiencing a head injury, or they never connected the incident to their emotional, behavioral, or cognitive symptoms.
Following a head injury or traumatic event, some people develop PTSD, which affects an estimated 3.5% of U.S. adults. With the pandemic, however, research is showing that rates of PTSD are likely to rise. Some of the symptoms associated with PTSD include distressing memories, flashbacks, anxiety, depression, feeling emotionally numb, guilt, shame, problems sleeping, anger, and irritability. All of these can keep you from living the life you want.
AMEN CLINICS PATIENTS FEATURED IN QUIET EXPLOSIONS
Among the people featured in the documentary, Quiet Explosions are Super Bowl XXVI MVP Mark Rypien, famed “Notre Dame Killer” running back from USC Anthony Davis, and big-wave surfer Shawn Dollar—all of whom received treatment at Amen Clinics.
Each of these world-class athletes had brain SPECT imaging scans performed at Amen Clinics. SPECT is a nuclear medicine tool that measures blood flow and activity in the brain. It shows three things—areas with healthy activity, areas with too much activity, and areas with too little activity. Each of their scans showed signs of brain trauma. Dollar says his brain scans showed he’s suffered “hundreds, if not thousands, of concussions.”
DISTINGUISHING TBI FROM PTSD
Many of the symptoms seen in PTSD are also seen in people with TBI. Unfortunately, most healthcare professionals never look at the brain with functional brain scans, so they can’t detect the brain patterns associated with TBI and PTSD. This results in too many people being misdiagnosed and given the wrong kind of treatment. Getting the wrong treatment can make your symptoms worse, which leads to more unnecessary suffering.
Functional brain imaging with SPECT can help. The research team at Amen Clinics, in collaboration with other scientists, has published two groundbreaking studies showing that brain SPECT imaging can distinguish TBI from PTSD with 94% accuracy. This research was named in Discover Magazine’s Top 100 science discoveries of 2015.
This is important because MRI or CT scans, which show the brain’s structure, often find that people with mild TBI or PTSD have “normal” results. This leaves people who are suffering feeling like they’re imagining their symptoms and that there is no hope for recovery.
This is wrong. TBI and PTSD can be treated effectively.
TREATING TBI AND PTSD
Each of the three TBI survivors who visited Amen Clinics got their lives back with treatment protocols that are ignored by most traditional healthcare providers. At Amen Clinics, concussion rescue treatments may include:
These are in addition to a comprehensive concussion rescue brain-body approach that also includes brain healthy nutrition, lifestyle changes, targeted nutraceuticals, and more. For PTSD, treatment may also include EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), a powerful, non-invasive therapy for overcoming emotional trauma.
The documentary Quiet Explosions explores the treatments that helped Rypien, Davis, Dollar, and several other remarkable people get their lives back. It may give you or a loved one hope for healing.
TBIs, PTSD, and other mental health conditions can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever and waiting until life gets back to “normal” is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time.
At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.
How can we watch this documentary?
Comment by Christine Paynton — November 9, 2020 @ 3:48 AM
My son had a severe traumatic brain injury in 2006 from being hit by a car. He is on Badgercare in the state of Wisconsin which is Medicaid. I’m sure his insurance probably would not cover something like what you offer. Do you ever help people who do t have insurance or money. He can only work 3 days a week and only makes about $600 a month. We have been fighting to get him Social Security. Sincerely, Barbara Parlow
Comment by Barbara Parlow — November 9, 2020 @ 4:07 AM
Will VA cover spect and follow up expense for veteran who had head brain injury took 1 year to recover from?
Comment by Teresa conville — November 9, 2020 @ 8:10 AM
I think your approach to treatment is thorough. Brains need to be looked at in PTSD and trauma-related issues as part of a wholistic treatment approach. I do not need your services, thank God, but I am a Counselor and I often see people who cannot afford your services needing them. I do not know what you offer to help lower-income people, who usually most need treatment and can least afford it. I hope you have some provision to help these people. This cannot be a service only for those who can afford it. That would be unequitable. I respect Dr. Amen and his wisdom, and I hope that he would consider this concern.
Comment by Jill Curry — November 9, 2020 @ 9:35 AM
Do you take Humana Insurance?
How much is the copay?
Can you help me with the cost associated with my son’s death from a car accident,Major Depression,PTSD,chemical depression from Menopause?
Comment by Tootsie — November 9, 2020 @ 10:54 AM
Please include me and my husband(Air Force)
Comment by Justine L LaClair — November 9, 2020 @ 11:55 AM
I think your approach to treatment is thorough. Brains need to be looked at in PTSD and trauma-related issues as part of a wholistic treatment approach. I do not need your services, thank God, but I am a Counselor and I often see people who cannot afford your services needing them. I do not know what you offer to help lower-income people, who usually most need treatment and can least afford it. I hope you have some provision to help these people. This cannot be a service only for those who can afford it. That would be unequitable. I respect Dr. Amen and his wisdom, and I hope that he would consider this concern.
Comment by Sharon Arro — November 9, 2020 @ 3:39 PM
Can you help my son and me? I know he has suffered brain injury, has been misdiagnosed and the mental health system is horrible. I also need help. Do you accept FL Blue for me and Medicare/Medicaid for my son? Or some type of payment plan?
Comment by Martha Marti — November 9, 2020 @ 8:01 PM
I live in Italy and i friend OF mine is intersted to get scan. , he hears voices….. we would be interested in send you a spect made in your country and to get evaluated from Amen clinics … we need to know If our spect device and consequently our spect is. Evalueble and appropriate in order to get evaluated by your clinicians . Sincerely!!!
Comment by Erminia Aufdere — November 10, 2020 @ 6:34 AM
My son entered the military and after a few yrs.was given a medical discharge after he spent a few months in Walter Reed Hospital.
He committed suicide 1988 and 29 yrs.old.Never in combat but came home paranoid after he had a drug induced psychosis episode and treated in military hospital.Look at and into military service connection. What happened?.
Comment by Maura Tierney — November 10, 2020 @ 6:55 AM
In 2010, went to your Newport Beach clinic, had SPECT brain pictures taken. with results showing serious brain “damage.” I had good results. Now ten years later I feel I need a re-assessment of what is going on because I am not doing as well.
Pease send me a list of any Psychiatrists who are using Dr. Amen’s approach;. anywhere in the Boulder-Denver, Colorado area.
I am now 72 and want more quality brain life, Thank you.
Comment by Ruth H Taylor — November 10, 2020 @ 8:02 AM
I would like to watch this. My husband has suffered PTSD for 18 years now,but I think longer. The Va has tried to help him but he has continued to worsen. In addition, I myself was diagnosed with PTSD due early childhood issues subsequent accidents and dealing with trauma after traumas. Please how do I watch this?we need your help. We are both on disability.
Comment by Eva Calcote — November 10, 2020 @ 9:59 AM
How can I get a copy of the move?
Becky
Comment by Becky Mulkern — November 10, 2020 @ 5:20 PM
Hello Becky, here is a link to more information on how you can get the documentary: https://quietexplosions.com/watch-now/.
Comment by Amen Clinics — November 10, 2020 @ 5:32 PM
Hello Eva, here is a link to more information on how you can get the documentary: https://quietexplosions.com/watch-now/.
Comment by Amen Clinics — November 10, 2020 @ 5:32 PM
Hello Erminia, thank you for reaching out. Our Care Coordinators will contact you directly with information. We look forward to speaking with you.
Comment by Amen Clinics — November 10, 2020 @ 5:33 PM
Hello Martha, thank you for reaching out. Our Care Coordinators will contact you directly with information regarding evaluations, pricing, insurance, and financing options. We look forward to speaking with you.
Comment by Amen Clinics — November 10, 2020 @ 5:34 PM
Hello Tootsie, thank you for reaching out. Our Care Coordinators will contact you directly with information regarding evaluations, pricing, insurance, and financing options. We look forward to speaking with you.
Comment by Amen Clinics — November 10, 2020 @ 5:34 PM
Hello Teresa, thank you for reaching out. Our Care Coordinators will contact you directly with information regarding evaluations, pricing, insurance, and financing options. We look forward to speaking with you.
Comment by Amen Clinics — November 10, 2020 @ 5:35 PM
Hello Christine, here is a link to more information on how you can get the documentary: https://quietexplosions.com/watch-now/.
Comment by Amen Clinics — November 10, 2020 @ 5:35 PM
I suffered TBI from a car accident in the late 80s have dealt with almost every symptom you’ve listed not knowing it could be due from it! After 7 years with a malignant narcissist who was physically and mentally abusive I suffered ptsd and psychosis I would love to find out if this could help me I also have what I call brain zaps and mini black outs I live in Ft Myers
Comment by Sue Monteiro — November 17, 2020 @ 9:24 PM
For those of you looking for help affording Amen Clinics’ services, I suggest looking into both personal grant opportunities (especially in your area), asking for help from your local church or another non-profit as they are able to stand on your behalf when you apply for grants. They can also help set up fundraisers for you or help you come up with other options.
Many states also offer vocational rehabilitation services for those with special needs to find, keep, or advance in a job too. I am working with the DVR in Wisconsin for help keeping my job, while struggling with ADHD and anxiety. This may be something to look into.
Comment by Martina Parson — November 24, 2020 @ 8:21 AM