Thriving with Your Autoimmune Disorder

Written by a psychologist and fibromyalgia patient, Thriving with Your Autoimmune Disorder offers a wealth of excellent tips for keeping autoimmune disease symptoms in line. While Ravicz discusses specific conventional treatment options for only a few of the most common autoimmune disorders, her focus is on the nutrient deficiencies and psychological changes that contribute to symptoms in most autoimmune disorders. Offering dietary tips as well as psychological counseling, Ravicz shows us that there is more to reducing symptoms in autoimmune disorders than prescriptions drugs.

In the Preface, Jay A. Goldstein, M.D. writes:"Thriving with Your Autoimmune Disorder, by Dr. Simone Ravicz, is an excellent, well-written, comprehensive survey of a complex yet common phenomenon. It is the best book targeted to the educated layperson that I have read on this topic. I cannot cite a more sophisticated and comprehensive work by a nonphysician."I specialize in treating patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS); fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS); and related disorders, which I term "neurosomatic." Dr. Ravicz discusses diverse research, clinical experience, and opinion about such illnesses, fortunately omitting a vast body of useless research that has hindered advancement and would be of no use to the reader. I congratulate her on her review of the literature and her synthesis. Thriving with Your Autoimmune Disorder will be an informative guide for patients and their families."Many books on the subject belong in the junkpile. This one should be in your bookcase."He's right. Borrow the book from your public library, or buy a copy at your local book retailer or favorite online book site. But read the book. If you or a loved one has a chronic illness, this is one book that must be read.And - despite its emphasis on women - men will benefit from reading Dr. Ravicz's book also.The author has divided her book into three main sections. In Part I she discusses Women and Autoimmune Disorders and Related Conditions, with special emphasis on stress and the immune system, reclaiming your healing energy, the Mind-Body connection and the power of the diagnosis.Part II is a discussion of these specific autoimmune disorders: Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren's Syndrome, Graves' Disease and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Type I Diabetes, Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome.Part III is the soul of the book: Coping Strategies. Dr. Ravicz has chapters on Mind-Body Techniques, Enhancing Your General Coping Skills, Working with Others, and Tools for the Journey.This book is informative. Most importantly, it is empowering.

This book has all the informations and questions that is written in a technical way and yet could be understood by everyone. Finally, a reference book that I can read and find answers at any time and know I'm not alone. Dr. Ravich fully understand what women go through daily. Obviously, the book was written because of her interest, full knowledge, and endless compassion for others. She's brilliant. Kudos! Kudos!

Dr. Simone Ravicz has done it again! In her second book,'Thriving with your Autoimmune Disorder: A Woman's Mind-Body Guide', she has managed to gather, distill and communicate in readable format an enormous body of information regarding autoimmune disorders. The book's importance and value, however, rest primarily in Dr. Ravicz's descriptive sections where specific autoimmune engendered problems are linked with specific coping strategies. The latter are concrete, applicable and useful. The book is important, unique at present and thoroughly helpful. Thank you, Dr. Ravicz!