From renowned integrative family physician Dr Kenneth Bock comes a groundbreaking approach to understanding and treating mental health in adolescents and teens.
Over the past decade, mental health disorders among 12- to 17-year-olds have more than doubled. While mood swings and rebellion are part of growing up, today’s parents face new challenges as their children increasingly struggle with serious mental health issues. But what is behind this epidemic?
In Brain Inflamed, Dr Bock offers a revolutionary perspective, suggesting that many common disorders in young people — including depression, anxiety, and OCD — may share a root cause: systemic inflammation. He explains the vital role the immune system and microbiome play in mental health, revealing how conditions like autoimmune disease, thyroid problems, or leaky gut syndrome can lead to neurological inflammation.
Where conventional treatments often rely solely on therapy and medication, Dr Bock’s integrative approach looks at whole-body health. His evaluations frequently uncover triggers such as gluten sensitivity, adrenal dysfunction, Lyme disease, and post-strep infections — all of which can disrupt the body and spark psychological symptoms.
Drawing on over thirty years of clinical experience and remarkable patient stories, Brain Inflamed explains the biological roots of many mental health challenges and offers parents practical advice — and most importantly, hope for a brighter future.