MS and Your Feelings: Handling the Ups and Downs of Multiple Sclerosis

by Allison Shadday and Allison Shadday LSCW

Book Overview

MS and Your Feelings is the first book to specifically address the emotional pain caused by the unpredictable, disabling chronic inflammatory condition multiple sclerosis. Psychotherapist and MS patient Allison Shadday offers readers effective strategies for dealing with the psychological trauma of this disease. Shadday shares real-life MS success stories and gives insightful professional advice derived from years of counseling hundreds of chronically...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 089793489X
• ISBN13: 9780897934893
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: Hunter House Publishers
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Anyone having do deal with an MS diagnosis, should give "MS And Your Feelings" careful attention

In "MS And Your Feelings: Handling The Ups And Downs Of Multiple Sclerosis", medical clinical social worker Allison Shadday draws upon her more than fourteen years of experience counseling chronically ill patients and their families and her personal experience with MS (she was first diagnosed with the condition in 1995) to offer hope, inspiration, validation, and basic information for patients with MS, as well as their families and loved ones. Readers will learn about how to come to terms with an MS diagnosis; strategies for coping with fear, guilt, anger, loss, depression and isolation; tips for increasing self-esteem and developing a greater sense of emotional security and stability; how to recognize and overcome negative emotional responses to MS; steps to enhance intimacy and build support networks; how to minimize MS-related fatigue and deal with cognitive challenges; techniques to identify and manage stress triggers that can exacerbate MS symptoms; and the very latest information about new treatment options and promising research. Allison Shadday not only writes with evident authority, she is an able communicator whose total mastery of her subject is conveyed with admirable articulation to the benefit of the non-specialist general reader. Anyone having do deal with an MS diagnosis, should give "MS And Your Feelings" careful attention -- it will answer all of the basic questions and address the fundamental issues with complete clarity and an invaluable comprehensiveness.

A very interesting read

We have a friend with MS, and having seen the author on our local morning news program, I was compelled to check out this book for my own information. I feel I've become more informed and hopefully more understanding. The extensive referal section in the back is worth it on its own. Once I started seeing what a positive attitude Allison uses, I found it hard for me to put the book down. I then purchased a second copy for our friend, so that maybe we'll be able to critique it together and see if it helps her with her MS. A lot of the information also fits into dealing with any one in everyday life.

This fills the long-time need for a book on this subject

Allison Shadday has given us a clearly written and well-organized treatment on a subject that is not often covered for those of us with MS. The book has a great balance between the facts and the experiences of real-life ms-ers, including her own. The book handles the various symptoms of MS and how they affect emotions, and vice-versa. The chapters on depression, sexual intimacy and caregivers are excellent. I recommend this book to all patients and their circles.

User Friendly

Allison Shadday has written a very readable and user friendly book about multiple sclerosis. Her descriptions of the disease are clear and jargon-free which makes understanding the medical aspects quite effortless. Her very personal story creates empathy, compassion and appreciation for the complexities, challenges and ambiguities experienced by folks living with this disease. She is articulate in describing the similarities experienced by folks with MS, while also emphasizing the differences of each person's experience and symptoms. Her highest accomplishment is her ability to present concise,practical strategies for coping with common psychological difficulties that MS patients and their families often struggle with. From both her rich professional experience, and her personal story, she has much helpful information to impart, and is able to help people feel that they have more control of their lives than they might think. I found the book to be an extremely useful resource for patients I see in psychotherapy, their families, and for myself as I try to gain a better understanding of this unpredictable disease. Linda Miller, Ph.D.

A Wealth of Useful Insight

"MS and Your Feelings" is an insightful look at the effects of MS on a patient's social,emotional, and psychological landscape. The book offers a wealth of practical ideas for managing the wide range of personal and social challenges that MS creates. This book will be very helpful to family and friends as well as to patients of MS and other chronic and debilitating diseases.