The Chronic Illness Workbook: Strategies and Solutions for Taking Back Your Life

This book has a brilliant guideline for working through the transition in to a life of chronic pain as well as a solid manual/structure to support those who have been suffering for years. Although the book can be completed independently and you can certainly flip around to areas that are more valuable, I've found to truly receive the maximum benefit from the text and exercises, it is best to work with a group or individual. You definitely want to start at the beginning, working through each section. You can spend as much time as needed on each section, but there can be many "reviews" and "reminders" in every part of the book. You may never know what can be most helpful to your struggles. That was my own personal experience. Now I have decided to share this information with a group and allow them to help me reach a deeper understanding of the text. Whether you join a group or create a group to work through the book, multiple voices and insights sharing the experience are invaluable. However you choose to utilize the information, it is worth having it at arms reach for anyone who suffers with chronic pain everyday of their life.

Living in Albany, NY, I was actually familiar with Ms. Fennell and her associates, but had not needed to employ their services, advocating for and assisting chronically ill individuals (locally and nationally). Then, a year ago, I contracted some mysterious illness that left me essentially bedridden for weeks at a time. It has been a long year, but it was ultimately this book (once I broke down and admitted that there is an emotional component to physical illness that lingers, which has to be addressed before healing can truly take place), that allowed me to turn the corner in my way of thinking. It was as if Ms. Fennell had looked into my brain throughout the last year and was describing exactly the thoughts and feelings the illness and pain had caused. I suddenly realized that I was not flawed or weak, I was just reacting to an intense situation...the way most other people faced with chronic illness do. This book helps you through the process of finding a medical team you can trust, finding a medical advocate, and advocating for yourself in the workplace or obtaining help in that regard if necessary. The book has helped me come to a place where my diagnosis isn't as critical as learning to care for myself, modify the life I had to fit my new physical limitations, and (most importantly), learning to be okay with the changes...acceptance. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who has been diagnosed with a chronic illness, anyone who is suffering from an unknown chronic illness, or anyone who loves someone in those situations. The insight is amazing and empowering.

Order of book is odd.

I bought this book after being told by a social worker that their group class for chronic illness-I have a few issues, but losing my sense of smell really had hurt me worse than back pain or a chronic mouth sore.I sent it back because I know I’m not disciplined to do the actual work on my own.

Excellent Book. These books provide insight and directionfor difficult situations in life. Would recommend for professionalsand novice self insight information.Recommendations from numerous Psychiatric Board Certified Associations.Good Amazon Seller. Thank you

My husband is experience major medical illnesses and this book is valuable because it's hard for him to accept good doctors diagnosis.

This book offers hope to those who suffer chronic illness and pain,a unique look at the world and what you may be going through, if you are living with someone who suffers it is a peek into what they are dealing with.

A book worth searching for...wish I would have had it when I first began to fall ill... Good sound steps to taking care of you and your life...I am using it and hopeing for a better journey.

This book takes you through adjustment to a chronic condition in a sensible and achievable way. I used it for fibromyalgia. Highly recommended

This book really makes you sit down and take a good look at your life. I found it a bit difficult to work threw as it is just that work. Makes you really think about your life what you are doing with it and how to change it for the better. I have been able to simplify how I do things and what I choose to do on any given day as well as give out other things I could not or can not do to my family in an organized thoughtful manner. I never really realized how much the people around me relied on my assistance to get thing done until I opened this book up. I also did not realize how much I really do in a day or what is important and what is not so important till I went threw this book. It put into perspective what you want out of your life and how to go about doing what you need to do and still have time for the stuff you want to do!

An excellent and much needed book for anyone who either suffers from chronic illness or knows someone who is. This book offers an inside look into the trials a chronically ill person goes through right from the start, and offers very helpful and thoughtful advice on how to cope and adjust to one's new life with hope and vision.

One of the greatest book I ever bought. Has helped me tremendously in my process of accepting and recreating my life living with a chronic illness. Thank you Patrica. A . Fennell

excellent book, journal all the way through, just wonderful