Reverse Therapy: Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and related disorders.

by John Eaton

Contains new and up-to-date information on Reverse Therapy, as well as explanations for the conditions it addresses. Reverse Therapy is a radical bodymind healing process first offered to the general public in 2003. Dr. John Eaton explains the process in simple terms accessible to the general reader. He describes how he evolved the ideas for Reverse Therapy and the underlying protocol. Other chapters explain the workings of bodymind, the stress-disease connection, the role of emotions in health, and how anxiety interferes with health. The final section offers a complete step-by-step guide to the process. With a specific focus on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia throughout.Dr John Eaton founded Reverse Therapy in 2002. He is also a registered psychotherapist and has been practicing in the UK since 1990.

Genres: Health

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2017

Reviews

[Myron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emotional problems

This concept seems to be the popular reason for Fibromyalgia. I have Fibromyalgia and emotional problems can exacerbate the pain. A good medical work up may find other problems such as sleeping problems like apnea or simple food sensitivities to artificial sweeteners. Fibromyalgia isn’t just repressed feelings.

[Josephine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another book perpetuating the myth of why people get CFS-it is the individual’s problem not dealing with their emotions, they just need to go to psychotherapy. Not helpful at all.

[Katie Bullock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! Its only 200 pages, its concise and straight forward and easy to follow along. This book gives a beautiful, informative and scientific explanation into how trauma can lead to bodily distress and the creation of conditions such as CFS and Fibro. For those who already understand the premise of this idea and the links between trauma/NS+ chronic illness, i think its incredibly insightful, and validating to give a more scientific picture into what has happened to many of us. Yet i think equally insightful for those wanting to learn too.

This book then follows these ideas, to talk about the steps required to become more attuned to our ‘body-mind’ and seek recovery. In the final chapter of the book, it focuses on what would happen if an individual sought reverse therapy with eaton himself; i.e., a step by step of what would happen in the therapy sessions with him. This chapter for me, was just as valuable as those prior. It provides a rough guide on how you can begin to take action and offers practical reflections and questions to consider as starting points in your journey to recovery.

Within, I particularly enjoyed his discussions of how the mind works, and the distinction between our thinking mind vs our junk-mind. He talks about how most of the thoughts in our head are actually pretty useless! and how we can take steps towards regaining control over the mind. I learnt some really valuable lessons in these discussions that will stick with me when it comes to navigating my own mind and mental health. Even from applying some of these tools in the last few weeks, i think it has done wonders to help achieve a place of serenity in my mind.

If i am being really pedantic though, one thing i didn’t enjoy so much was some wording: particularly the repeated phrase that ‘bodily distress syndrome’ appears as ‘we fail’ to adapt to adverse life events. I understand the point thats being made; i.e., that our mind + body has struggled to properly navigate a situation at hand in a way that is healthy for us, but i think our bodies have still done the best they can, with the tools they had at the time. I found the world failure indicates it is the fault of the person themselves for the development of their illness; which doesn’t sit quite right with me, nor do i find it productive. I think better vocab could have been used such as ‘struggled’.

Regardless, a good book and a powerful tool that i would recommend.

[Pippa Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much useless waffle; Chapters 5+6 are the only ones worth reading. Also, some of the language used made me cringe; referring to eccentric characters in history as "crazy" just isn't acceptable anymore!

[Katie Sapphire-Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only the last chapter actually talks about what's involved in Reverse Therapy, and is more about encouraging you to book in with a therapist and to continue your research on the topic.
However that doesn't mean the first few chapters are pointless, they give a lot of good information about how our mind/body works. This is essential information to learn how Reverse Therapy works.

I know the mind is a powerful tool, especially when it comes to healing the body, but I'm just not totally convinced that this particular technique is a cure. Part of it basically saying all symptoms are based on a repressed emotion or lack of enjoyable balance in your life. So supposedly if I go for a walk and then my legs hurt a lot, it's probably because I was already anxious about them hurting or because of some stressful thought or judgement popped into my head during the walk...I wish it were that simple!

I'm not completely writing off Reverse Therapy, I can see how it could work. I am going to do further research and keep an open mind.

[Rachel Wakeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me something to think about. I can see why other people get cross when they says it is all to do with "emotions" although I can see why. I have had chronic pain/fatigue for over 30 years and this book told me something new. I get setbacks every once in a while and I may have an answer (or part of an answer) to them. I had a recent setback so looked back on the previous week to see what happened and then I had a lightbulb moment. I had a phone call from my brother telling me something my dad had done. He just wanted to inform me of it although it was nothing to do with me and I just put it out of my head. Unbeknown to me, my subconscious/emotions must have had something to do with the next 10 days of pain that cropped up. I am going to look back after each episode and see what happens. Although the book may have given some kind of answer to the problem, it does not say how to deal with it.

[Ahlem · Rating 3 out of 5]

This left me feeling mixed. Some really useful information and perspectives, and yet... I don't feel this explains CFS completely or correctly. Sometimes fatigue is just tiredness and for me, it comes a lot faster while doing an activity. I went shopping earlier and my brain felt "clogged" after an hour. I wasn't frustrated, bored or anxious about symptoms. I was just overstimulated and needed rest, but this theory would say that you are mistaken and there is a deeper message. One of the possible messages is supposedly the vague one of "needing more balance." In many cases that would just amount to rest, no?

That doesn't mean the techniques offered can't be useful, so I will work with them in the coming weeks and see if they make a difference.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book and found it informative. I was really excited to read it as I suffer with fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism. I understand the connection between body and mind and got some great tips on how to manage it. Some of the questions are good to ask yourself. However, I'm not convinced my emotions can control my pain levels, for example when Eaton mentions after the 6 hour walk it wasn't the walk causing the exhaustion. Whenever I increase exercise I am wiped out for days and nothing emotional triggered that.

[Patrick Westervelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting stuff in here that I'm sure is useful for some people, but this seems to paint with too wide a brush at times. While the book's cited source of chronic fatigue is likely on point for some people, it isn't convincing that this is the case for everyone. On the flip side, I don't think it's to be entirely discarded like many people do. I think this is helpful for some.

[Simon Weinberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting thoughts. Now that well-written but good to read anyway.

[Amanda Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly insightful book and seen first hand the results of the author’s work. Very clear and digestible read with practical exercises for recovery! I wholeheartedly recommend this book.