Living Beyond Limits

by David Spiegel

Book Overview

Based in part on the author's landmark study which demonstrated the benefits of group therapy for cancer patients, this study explores the interaction of mind and body in the healing process. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0449909409
• ISBN13: 9780449909409
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

I've bought nine copies of this book.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, how to think about it, and how to deal with fear of dying were top on my list. People handed me books by Bernie Siegel, and I just couldn't relate. I didn't want anything that told me that I had caused my cancer or that I could magically "think myself well." I know that attitude is part of healing, but I experienced most of those "heal yourself" books as blaming and counterproductive.Spiegel is wonderful. I read his book three times in quick succession. I really wanted to internalize that way of looking at things. I also bought extra copies of the book, to give to family and close friends. I told them, "This is how I want to think about what's happening to me. This is how I want to talk about it." The part of the book I liked best was where he talks about fears. Fears of the unknown (like fears of dying or fears about chronic illness) can be overwhelming. However, if you break the fears into little pieces, you can figure out how to deal with each of the pieces.Spiegel is honest, yet very compassionate, understanding, and comforting. His research on how support groups and coping with emotions affect quality and length of life is intriguing and reassuring. I would heartily recommend this book to any cancer patient, or others with a life-threatening condition.