Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired: Living with Invisible Chronic Illness (New Edition) [Paperback]

Paul J. Donoghue (Author), Mary E. Siegel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 2000

Unlike a leg in a cast, invisible chronic illness (ICI) has no observable symptoms.

Consequently, people who suffer from chronic fatigue, chronic pain, and many other miseries often endure not only the ailment but dismissive and negative reactions from others. Since its first publication, Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired has offered hope and coping strategies to thousands of people who suffer from ICI. Paul Donoghue and Mary Siegel teach their readers how to rethink how they themselves view their illness and how to communicate with loved ones and doctors in a way that meets their needs. The authors' understanding makes readers feel they have been heard for the first time. For this edition, the authors include a new introduction drawing on the experiences of the many people who have responded to the book and to their lectures and television appearances. They expand the definition of ICI to include other ailments such as depression, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. They bring the resource material, including Web sites, up to the present, and they offer fresh insights on four topics that often emerge: guilt, how ICI affects the family, meaningfulness, and defining acceptance.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Donoghue and Siegel direct their book to healthcare providers, families, and patients dealing with invisible chronic illness (ICI)--those conditions that are chronic and disabling but not readily apparent to the casual observer. In Part 1, the authors define ICI, including brief descriptions of 13 diseases that fit their criteria. They discuss in clinical, detached language the impact of ICI on the patient, family, friends, and employers. In Part 2, Donoghue and Siegel speak directly to the patient, offering coping mechanisms to enhance quality of life through positive thinking, effective communication, and pain management techniques. They also include reading lists and "Illness Associations." While useful, their book suffers from the attempt to address too broad an audience. Recommended for larger collections only.
- Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans Hosp., Tampa, Fla.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

An invaluable source of help and comfort to those who suffer from invisible chronic illness and to their caregivers and friends. -- Katharina Dalton, M.D.

How many times have you said to yourself, 'No one can understand how I feel unless they've experienced it themselves?' Because the authors of this book each have experienced an 'Invisible Chronic Illness' or ICI, they are able to express feelings that you have more than likely experienced but have not been able to put into words. This book validates your emotions and then helps you to express them in constructive ways. -- Network

One of the most helpful books about chronic illness that I ever run across....This book is captivating, informative, and sensitive. -- Allergy Aware

This self-help book by two Ph.D. psychologists (one of whom suffers from multiple sclerosis) is not new, just new to me, and what a discovery! It is a moving explication of what it means to live with an invisible chronic illness--ICI. If you have patients, acquaintances or if you yourself suffer from an ICI you can find valuable advice and guidance in this book. -- Ostomy/Wound Management

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; New edition (September 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393320650
• ISBN-13: 978-0393320657
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Medicine & Psychology
  • #78 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Diseases & Physical Ailments > Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 79 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Validation for what you probably already know April 23, 2002

By "dannonb"

Format:Paperback

Unlike a lot of books with this theme, this one seems to do a good job of ferreting out the different ways that people deal with chronic illness. It is appropriate for most people with chronic illness, although it does focus on "invisible chronic illness". I was impressed that there were few places that made me want to roll my eyes and toss the book across the room. Usually books like this are filled with cheesy advice, such as "take time out for yourself" and "a good bubble bath can do wonders for your psyche". This one is written on a more intelligent level and talks about the real issues and challenges that face people with chronic illness and their caregivers.

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars! November 5, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Excellent Guide to Emotional Health & Wellness I loved this book! Written by two psychologists who suffer from chronic illness, it offers hope and ways to cope. People with Crohn's, colitis, lupus, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, IBS, etc. will like this book because it's about invisible chronic illnesses in which the symptoms are not always externally apparent (like when your friend says, "You look just fine" but you're not). This can lead to lack of compassion, understanding, and strains relationships with family, friends, and coworkers. I especially like how the book helps focus awareness on illness and gives you ways to exercise greater control over it and over life in general. An extremely practical book, with techniques you will use in everyday life.

87 of 92 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Even my Dr. wants to read it! August 23, 2000

By G. Jordan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Hello, I have been diagnosed with several "invisible" chronic illnesses, meaning the symptoms are subjective for the most part and hard for others to "see" my pain and illness, therefore it is hard to get the support I need.

This book totally understands my experience, it validates every thing that has happened since I was diagnosed, and it helps me get the support I need. It is also excellent to give to others who you want to understand what you're going through. After reading this book, it will be impossible for anyone to ever say again "but you LOOK good".

I had an appt. with a doctor the other day and he saw the book in my hand and asked to look at it. He asked my opinion on it and said he had heard it was a great book. So I of course gushed on and on about it, how the authors truly understand the effects if ICI on our self-esteem, self-concept, the guilt and shame, the frustrations, the lack of support and the suspicion we are often confronted with because our symptoms are not visible (we don't have a wheel chair or a cane, or an easily recognizable condition). So he's going to buy it so he can understand what his patients are going through and be more helpful to them!

Next I am passing this book onto my husband, might buy a few copies for relatives for Christmas and sending the link to the members of my chronic pain support group. Pass the word, this is the book that will finally change how the world responds to us.