MS and Your Feelings: Handling the Ups and Downs of Multiple Sclerosis

by Allison Shadday LSCW, Stanley Cohan (Foreword)

MS and Your Feelings is the first book to specifically address the emotional pain caused by the unpredictable, disabling chronic inflammatory condition multiple sclerosis. Psychotherapist and MS patient Allison Shadday offers readers effective strategies for dealing with the psychological trauma of this disease. Shadday shares real-life MS success stories and gives insightful professional advice derived from years of counseling hundreds of chronically ill patients. Her book offers readers hope, inspiration and validation, teaching them how to come to terms with an MS diagnosis; strategies for identifying and managing stress triggers; ways to cope with fear, guilt, anger, loss, depression, and isolation; steps to enhance intimacy and develop a greater sense of emotional security; and more. Patient success stories illustrate the techniques described. Renowned neurologist and MS expert Dr. Stanley Cohan contributes discussions of the importance of treating MS’s emotional symptoms, the latest medical thinking, and the promising future of drug research for this challenging condition.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 2006

Reviews

[Sonia N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had this horrific disease for 32 years. I can relate to some of the things in this book. This disease is a thief it robs you of your ability to live. I have been struggling mentally with this disease but cannot do anything about it. Counseling didn’t help.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my top 3 MS books that I keep multiples of to loan out to friends and newly diagnosed acquaintainces.... it's that good. My husband bought this for me... and it hit home so strongly that I'll be honest and say I threw it across the room a few times before I was ready to receive the information it contained! I've loaned it to friends with other chronic illnesses (not MS) as well and they have also found great insight and help from it. Allison Shadday is an excellent writer and as a LCSW with MS she really GETS IT. As a physician with MS, I cannot express my gratitude to her enough for helping me through the grieving process of losing my career and passion of practicing Medicine and being able to emerge on the other side of the abyss still a whole person... Powerful stuff, here!

[Misti Pittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Has question/answer portions. Also have caretaker and family member sections so that others who live with you or help you can understand a little about what you're going through. Also, makes your feelings make sense so you don't feel like you're "crazy" for feeling a certain way. Love this book and use it as a resource regularly.

[Gert · Rating 4 out of 5]

REALLY helpful and exact in explaining the effects of MS on the body and the person. I would recommend everyone who has MS read this and pass copies on to family and friends.

[Katherine Bhana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sending you prayers, I was diagnosed in 2010 and seemed to go down hill quickly. In six years I could no longer work and had real problems with balance and joint pain. Brain fog was really bad sometimes. I took rebif and had a lot of problems and had to quit. I have been on techfadera (not spelled right) for a few years and have several side effects. I felt lost and decided to quit my meds due to side effects. Our care provider introduced me to Ayurvedic treatment. I had a total decline of all symptoms including vision problems, numbness and others. Sometimes, i totally forget i ever had MS. Visit Natural Herbs Centre web-site natural herbsc entre. com. I am very pleased with this treatment. I eat well, sleep well and exercise regularly. God bless all MS Warriors

[Stella Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

After my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis 2 years ago, i stopped all the Multiple sclerosis medicines prescribed due to severe side effects, and decided look into alternative approach. My primary care provider introduced me to MS-4 Protocol from uinehealthcentre. com and i immediately started on their Multiple Sclerosis treatment, this MS-4 treatment has made a tremendous difference for me. My symptoms including muscle weakness, fatigue, mood swings, numbness, double vision and urinary retention all disappeared after the 4 months treatment!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

MS treatment and research has changed drastically since this book was published (I'd love to see an updated edition), but the bulk of the book addresses important topics in a really helpful and normalizing way.

[Tony Marroquin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful

[Lynnea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good! Written by a social worker who has MS allowing it to be seen from a professional as well as a personal viewpoint.
I highly recommend it for anyone who just received the MS diagnosis or who has a loved one with MS. Easy to read, easy to understand, and very affirming.

5 years later: I came across a paper where I wrote down sections of this book I liked:

p. 10-11: The myelin sheath is gradually destroyed - the nerves no longer can effectively do their job - they must travel in a less efficient route and push through less direct channels - this decreases the brain's ability to process information causing physical and mental fatigue

p. 34: "Of course someone will always have it better or worse than you, but that doesn't mean that your experience isn't meaningful or valid."

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by a woman on Friday Harbor and is absolutely amazing. It explains perfectly what I and many others deal with on a daily basis. I found it two weeks after I was diagnosed and it helped me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This book was truly mine and Simon's saving grace. He loved it too. Please recommend it to anyone else you may know who has been diagnosed. It will change their lives.

[Katey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even reading this after just being newly diagnosed, I did not learn anything I couldn't pull off the internet (for free!) and more informative, without all the maudlin platitudes. I get sick of all these "honest and inspirational" books on MS, when I find they are anything but that. Uninteresting, and though they're dry and not easily accessible for the layperson, my time is much better spent reading medical texts and publications about the disease then dreck like this.

[Kali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this book 16 years ago!! It is fantastic to read from a LCSW who not only worked with home-bound MS patients, but who also has MS. Anyone who has MS or a chronic condition could benefit from her insights. I loved the various perspectives from MS patients and the coping strategies she addresses. Half of the time I read the book, I constantly found myself nodding in agreement or acknowledgement that I can relate.

[Jill Frederickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very helpful book. So many MS books deal with all the physical and lightly touch on the emotions and inner life issues this disease tends to bring up, so this was a very refreshing reversal. Highly recommended for both folks with MS and the people who are a part of their lives.