Skin Deep: A Mind/Body Program for Healthy Skin [Paperback]

Ted A. Grossbart (Author), Carl Sherman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1992

Dermatology has made remarkable strides in recent decades, with the advent of high-tech aids such as lasers and cryosurgery and new wonder drugs such as steroids and vitamin A derivatives; thus, many skin sufferers have been cured by their physicians.

Yet many have not. If you have brought your persistent eczema, your stubborn warts, your psoriasis or other distressing skin ailment, or even your recurrent herpes to specialists and superspecialists, and if all the creams, lotions, and medications have failed to help, you must wonder if there is something else -- and ardently hope that there is. This is exactly what Drs. Grossbart and Sherman have addressed in Skin Deep: A Mind/Body Program for Healthy Skin.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

If you've ever blushed, you know how easily your skin reflects your emotions. For those with persistent skin problems, this book may bring welcome relief. The authorsGrossbart is a clinical psychologist and Sherman a medical science writerapply "a principle both ancient and often forgotten: The mind and body are one." In addition to suggesting a visit to a dermatologist, they recommend a combination of techniques, including relaxation, imaging, hypnosis and psychotherapy, to help readers understand hidden conflicts that may cause or intensify their skin problems. They also illuminate the complex role that long-term skin problems, such as herpes, warts or psoriasis, play in the lives of those afflicted. This should be required reading for anyone suffering with a skin problem. The authors do an excellent job translating psychological jargon.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Grossbart and Sherman offer a how-to manual of psychological exercises and techniques that, when combined with dermatological care and, possibly, psychotherapy, have proven effective in curing or putting into remission a number of skin diseases resistant to traditional medical care. Brief case histories enliven the text, and there is concrete advice both on how to go about getting professional help and on what to do when it is your child who has a skin problem. Essential for anyone with a stubborn skin disease, this book is also recommended for other readers interested in the relationship between mind and body. John Moryl, Yeshiva Univ. Lib., New York
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 265 pages
• Publisher: Health Press (NM); Revised edition (November 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929173112
• ISBN-13: 978-0929173115
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #512,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly recommended!, June 8, 2001

By 

Andrew Edmonds (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skin Deep: A Mind/Body Program for Healthy Skin (Paperback)

For 10 years I have been struggling with eczema. Creams and treatments only did so much, and it never went away for long. I found that stress provoked my eczema and thought that there were underlying psychological reasons, but didn't know where to get help. Desperate I turned to the web and found this excellent book that details the reasons behind skin conditions, how to relieve the condition and to explore and deal with the underlying problem. The exercises to relieve itching work and the accounts of other people's conditions are enlightening.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Road to self-knowldege, March 12, 2001

By 

"robynisa" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skin Deep: A Mind/Body Program for Healthy Skin (Paperback)

This is the best self-help book I've read. The healing exercies oulined by the authors are not in the least bit "new-agey" and etheral, but are parctical and down-to-earth. As a reader you are encouraged to dig deep into your own psyche to discover the sensitive issues behind your skin problem and you are emotionally supported every step of the way as if you were actually in the doctor's office. Anyone with the drive to acquire self-knowledge will gain valuable insights from reading this book. For me personally, the "animal test" and the sections on "what if it got better/what if it got worse" were particularly enlightening. This book should be a mandatory read for all doctors applying for board certification in dermatology.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Program, Excellent Book, March 21, 2001

By 

Richard Pomerance, Ph.D. (Boston, Mass.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skin Deep: A Mind/Body Program for Healthy Skin (Paperback)

The program Dr. Grossbart presents in his book Skin Deep is impressive and effective.The book provides not only a vivid account of what he does in his office in Boston, but a wide range of practical techniques that people can use on their own. As a colleague, I've referred many people to him. I've seen the approach work with psoriasis, eczema, herpes, warts , and other skin diseases. Often symptoms disappear, or are substantially reduced in frequency or severity. People come away with both skin help and markedly increased self-understanding that leads to improvements in many other areas of their lives. I've heard that people with skin problems that have not responded to the usual medical treatments come from all over the world to see him. I think this is justified. His program is "the real thing."