"In a clear, prudent voice, Small and Vorgan present the components of their program, and delve deeply into each one, tendering anecdotal evidence and the results from experimental studies... The program blends action with moderation... A commonsensical guide to help keep your brain in fighting trim."

-- Kirkus Reviews

 

"Small and Vorgan are the first to present an accessible, organized, research-based, adaptable plan for people to avoid developing Alzheimer's disease."

--— Portland Examiner

"Gary Small is the expert to listen to if you're concerned about your memory."."

--Jerome Yesavage, M.D., Center on Longevity, Stanford University School of Medicine

 

"Finally, the book that puts you in charge of your healthy brain."

--Henry S. Lodge, M.D., coauthor of New York Times bestseller Younger Next Year

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUCH

A Psychiatrist Solves His Most Unusual Cases (October 2011)

The Other Side of the Couch (published in hardback as The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head) is a spellbinding record of Dr. Small's most bewildering cases, from naked headstands and hysterical blindness to fainting schoolgirls and self-amputations. It is an illuminating journey into the mind of a practicing psychiatrist and his life in medicine as it evolves over time - a behind-the scenes look at the field and a variety of mental diseases as they've never been seen or diagnosed before. You'll find yourself exploring the puzzling eccentricities that make us human. Often funny, sometimes tragic, and always compelling, Dr. Small takes you on a tour of his career that moves from the halls of a crowded inner-city Boston emergency room to the multi-million dollar ski lodges of the nation's elite.

"With humor, compassion, empathy, and insight, Small searches for and finds the humanity that lies hidden under even the most bizarre symptoms."

-- Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive
    and A Whole New Mind

 

"Psychiatrists, counselors, and the like are in a unique position. They are in possession of incredibly interesting stories, yet the constraints of confidentiality and ethical concerns make sharing them difficult. Balancing the maintenance of privacy with the urge to tell—what are stories for, if not for sharing?—is a tricky matter. Small achieves that feat in this collection of "his most bizarre cases." This is not a metaphor. While working a psychiatric ward shift as a new doctor, he is faced with an unresponsive client who is naked and standing on her head. Another client seems obsessed with having an arm amputated. A couple faces conflicting dreams and nightmares of a Disneyland wedding. Small's stories cover the entire range of his more than 20-year career, from his fumbling attempts at looking professional with a client who is certain he's trying to seduce her, to a recent encounter with a mentor who feels that his career has been a fraud. The stories are witty; the clients are treated respectfully, and the reader reaps the reward."

--— Matthew Tiffany
    Booklist

 

"Dr. Small's journey offers an insider's view into how mental health professionals grow. I found it hard to put this treasure of a book down, and still now reflect on the various lives Dr. Small and his wife and writing partner, Gigi Vorgan, have so vividly shared through these thoughtful lessons in wisdom and what it means to be human."

-- Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.,
    author of Mindsight and
    Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA

"What really stands out about this book is that Dr. Small and his wife Gigi Vorgan have mastered the art of storytelling that has long been a valued method of communication for many individuals in the world of business or science . . . And as Dr. Small mentions, it is his hope that the book will prove to be entertaining as well as help those who may fear psychiatrists to overcome their fears and perhaps secure help if needed. Has the book succeeded? I believe it has come through with flying colors."

-- Norm Golman
    BookPleasures.com

 

"Provocative ... sharp and witty ... Small reveals himself to be a thinker of the best sort ... With this book, Gary Small joins Oliver Sacks in the company of medical mystery writers that includes Berton Roueche and Lisa Sanders. The Other Side of the Couch will appeal to readers who like to solve puzzles, as well as to seasoned clinicians who will be challenged by its wide array of intricate cases. In short, it should stand on everyone's bookshelf."

—- Psychiatric Times

 

"Small writes with empathy and humor about the complexity of human relationships . . . A highly personal but generally fascinating memoir spanning more than 30 years."

-- Kirkus Reviews

THE NAKED LADY WHO STOOD ON HER HEAD

A Psychiatrist's Stories of His Most Bizarre Cases

The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head is a spellbinding record of Dr. Small's most bewildering cases, from naked headstands and hysterical blindness to fainting schoolgirls and self-amputations. It is an illuminating journey into the mind of a practicing psychiatrist and his life in medicine as it evolves over time - a behind-the scenes look at the field and a variety of mental diseases as they've never been seen or diagnosed before. You'll find yourself exploring the puzzling eccentricities that make us human. Often funny, sometimes tragic, and always compelling, Dr. Small takes you on a tour of his career that moves from the halls of a crowded inner-city Boston emergency room to the multi-million dollar ski lodges of the nation's elite. In between, he introduces a strange cast of true-life characters and conditions, while dealing with mysterious hysterical blindness, a man convinced that his penis is shrinking, secret double lives, and frighteningly psychotic romantic desires. His career and personal life come full circle when his own mentor becomes his patient, making Small realize that no one is beyond mental exploration—not even himself.

iBrain

Surviving the Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind

iBrain explores how technology's perpetual march forward has altered the way young minds develop, function, and interpret information. Dr. Gary Small reveals the remarkable brain evolution caused by the constant presence of new technology, separating the digital natives - those born in the computer age - from the digital immigrants, who discovered computer technology as adults. Today's frenetic progress in technology, communications, and lifestyles is evolving the way young brains develop, function, and process information - creating new neural pathways and altering brain activity at a biochemical level. To compete and excel in this age of brain evolution, all of us must adapt, and iBrain elucidates the strategies and tools that we need to enhance our technological, social, and empathic abilities.

"A book about your brain that should make you think--twice."

-- Alvin Toffler, author
    of FUTURE SHOCK

 

"A valuable road map for the race to stay on track during the current evolution of the brain."

-- Terry Semel, CEO, Windsor       Media, former CEO, Yahoo!

The Longevity Bible

8 Essential Strategies for Keeping Your Mind Sharp and Your Body Young

The Longevity Bible provides a comprehensive look at the aging process, including advice on memory fitness, healthy diet, physical conditioning, and stress reduction.

THE MEMORY PRESCRIPTION

Dr. Gary Small's 14-Day Plan To Keep Your Brain and Body Young

The Memory Prescription offers an easy-to-follow, two-week program supported by a study at UCLA that found the 14-Day Plan led to significant improvements in cognitive performance and brain efficiency.

THE MEMORY BIBLE

An Innovative Strategy for Keeping Your Brain Young

The international bestseller that provides pioneering brain-enhancement strategies, memory exercises, a healthy brain diet, and stress reduction tips for enhancing cognitive function and halting memory loss.