The Chronic Illness Workbook: Strategies and Solutions for Taking Back Your Life

If you want to recover not only from your symptoms, but also from the way society has treated you as a person with chronic illness, keep this book by your bed with a highlighting pen. You'll think Ms. Fennell has read your diary, and you'll know she's on your side.

The Chronic Illness Workbook takes its readers on a journey of self-discovery, enabling them to overcome the challenges of chronic illness and learn how to live a life bursting with self-compassion and fulfillment...Ms. Fennell delves into every aspect of this subject and provides her readers with an in-depth, practical, self-explorative way to learn how to live a 'full new life'.

Pat Fennell has succinctly addressed the problems faced by people with chronic illnesses and their providers...The [Four] Phase Model ties it all together! I will recommend it to colleagues and friends. A great tool in our treatment toolkit and an excellent aid to any patient who has a chronic illness.

If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with a chronic illness, the first thing you should do is buy this book. The Chronic Illness Workbook is the first comprehensive guide to learning to live well with illness. It's like having a wise and caring friend along for your journey.

Fennell's book certainly lives up to its subtitle: Strategies and Solutions for Taking Back Your Life. I recommend it to people I counsel who are newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or diabetes. The book is written in a language accessible to lay readers, yet sufficiently well-researched to appeal to professionals and patient educators. I am particularly impressed with the way it acknowledges that chronic illness occurs in a social environment, its effect extending beyond the individual. I've applied some of its precepts and suggestions in my own life. The Chronic Illness Workbook is an excellent investment in enhancing the quality of your own life, or that of someone you care about.