Customer Reviews

Stricken: Voices from the Hidden Epidemic of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book gave me the courage to stop pretending that I do not have a serious illness. Trying to pretend that I am normal has been a very heavy burden.

Even though I do not suffer from CFIDS, I have been closely involved with people who have this awful illness, and I have seen the utter devastation it causes. By reading this book I have come to further realize how incredibly debilitating and ignored this illness is. I highly recommend this book to anyone who knows a person who suffers from a chronic illness. If you want to really have clear insight on the CFIDS experience, this book is definitely an eye-opener. Anyone who has previously believed that this illness is a form of hysteria or psychosomatic illness has not read this book, which tells the real story.

This book is a collection of essays from a wide range of people living through the nightmare of chronic fatigue syndrome. No subject is deemed too sensitive to be discussed: the topics of pain, suffering, suicidal ideations, and the utter hopelessness of living with a debilitating chronic illness for which there is no cure -- all are approached without flinching. Each of the essays resonated with me on some level because I've been a CFIDS survivor for five years. If you or someone you love has lived with this awful illness, this book will be of great comfort and will reassure you that you are not alone. The book contains incredible insights on the realities of being sick in a society that does not accept invisible illnesses. "Stricken" is magnificent in its truth and compassion. I give it my highest recommendation -- a must-read for anyone who has CFIDS or for people who have a loved one with the disease.

I just finished reading Stricken:Voices from the Hidden Epidemic of
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I highly recommend this exquisite Book. It
is one of the best and most comprehensive Books I have ever read about
CFIDS. The essays and poems in the Book cut straight to the heart of
the real day-to-day struggles of living with this devastating illness.
If any book has a chance of helping people to understand CFIDS
on a more personal and deep level, I believe this book is the one to
do it. I did not want the book to end because it was like having a
good friend nearby me who understood.......in the midst of this
isolating and painful illness.

This book has really opened my eyes to the devastating effects of this disease. I personally do not have the illness but know many that have it and reading this book has shed light to an area that is shrouded in darkness and denial. There were many moments when I was moved to tears. I highly recommend this book as an educator and as one way to understand the suffering.

This book is a collection of essays from a wide range of people living through the nightmare of chronic fatigue syndrome. No subject is deemed too sensitive to be discussed: the topics of pain, suffering, suicidal ideations, and the utter hopelessness of living with a debilitating chronic illness for which there is no cure -- all are approached without flinching. Each of the essays resonated with me on some level because I've been a CFIDS survivor for five years. If you or someone you love has lived with this awful illness, this book will be of great comfort and will reassure you that you are not alone. The book contains incredible insights on the realities of being sick in a society that does not accept invisible illnesses. "Stricken" is magnificent in its truth and compassion. I give it my highest recommendation -- a must-read for anyone who has CFIDS or for people who have a loved one with the disease.

This is a book that leaves you changed after you've read it, it's so powerful and compelling.

Each essay is extremely intelligently written and the format makes it easy to read a chapter at a time. It's even available in a more MCS friendly version.

This is the BEST book for really getting across how severe ME can be so far, both from the medical information given and from individual case studies as well. You get a real sense of how horrific ME really is, something lacking in almost every other book on the subject.

This book is an absolute must-have. This book really changed the way I thought about a lot of issues relating to ME, it leaves you feeling so empowered and determined not to put up with any more crap! Brilliant book. (M.E. is not the same thing as CFS or CFIDS, but this book is a M.E. book in the descriptions of the disease, absolutely. For political information on M.E. see books by Dr Hyde, however.)

Jodi Bassett, HFME

This book gave me the courage to stop pretending that I do not have a serious illness. Trying to pretend that I am normal has been a very heavy burden.

It is beyond nice to know that I do not suffer alone. These are accounts of people who have or still have CFS or Fibromyalgia. Some stories tore at my heart. Particularily one story whose author wishes to someday ride her bicycle again, the same goal as mine. Other stories filled me with hope or new thoughts to look upon this grayness that is CFS.

Even if you don't have CFS, buy this. Trails of the mind and body are universal in many aspects. And if you have a loved one who has chronic fatigue, buy two. One for yourself so you can at least have a better understanding (and of course one for your loved one).

With these stories, I do not suffer alone. I open this book on hard days. It's hard to go to college and have CFS.

I open this book on good days, because it fills me with a certain kind of comfort that I can't get elsewhere.

This collectin of essays all pertain to fibromyalgia, but each is different. There is personal stories mixed with medical information. It is a must for someone struggling with this illnes. It gave me the courage to tell those who love to say" You don't look sick!" that I don't care what they think. I am not going to pretend to feel well when I don't.