John Birmingham's father died. And his life fell apart. The next six months were spent grinding through the dark forests of depression until he finally emerged out of the darkness onto sunlit upland. A unique yet universal story, On Father reaches out to everyone who has battled the black dog.

A stark and lyrical account of the psyche in crisis from the author of Kith Tristimania tells the story of a devastating year-long episode of manic depression, culminating in a long solo pilgrimage across Spain. Recording the experience of mania as has rarely been done before, Jay Griffiths shows how the condition is at once terrifying and also profoundly creative, both tricking and treating the psyche. An intimate and raw journey, Tristimania illuminates something of the universal human spirit.

Following in the successful paw and hoof prints of The Daily Zoo: Volume One comes another exotic menagerie of creative fauna from Hollywood artist Chris Ayers. The Daily Zoo 2 offers more furry and feathered friends along with continuing reflections on his life as an artist and cancer survivor. And, as with Volume 1 and perhaps more so, regardless of your artistic experience, this book will leave you inspired to grab the nearest pencil, pen, brush or crayon and start drawing ... for fun and perhaps as a way to bring healing!

Do you suffer from back pain that radiates out into your legs? You are not alone. Traditionally, doctors automatically suspect a slipped disc but intervertebral discs aren't always to blame. In many cases, there is an infection in the piriformis that presses on the sciatic nerve, which is causing the pain. If piriformis syndrome is recognised early, it can be much more precisely and effectively treated than, for instance, a slipped disc. Even simple stretching exercises have proven astonishingly effective. Sports editor Nicolai Napolski, who knows from his own experience how painful piriformis syndrome can be, has collaborated with sports therapist and personal trainer Katharina Brinkmann to write the first guidebook covering this condition in a clear and concise manner. Not only have the authors collected the most important information regarding the background and development of piriformis syndrome, but they have also created their very own training regime that introduces simple and effective techniques which can be used to stretch the shortened muscles, strengthen the pelvic girdle, and correct posture problems. In the expert interview with Dr. Torsten Pfitzer, an osteopath and spine specialist, you can also find out how you can prevent the condition, so that the pain doesn't occur in the first place.

One women's journey of menopause and vaginal atrophy. Written in collaboration with her daughter in a `tongue in cheek' way to help break taboos of vaginal atrophy. This book is informative, serious, tear-jerking and guaranteed to make you laugh. Through this book you'll learn the hidden secrets of menopause aimed to help you during your own experiences, informing women, men and health professionals of all ages. "An amazing piece of work. It made me smile and cry at the same time and really feel every woman on the planet needs to read it" - Dr Louise Newson. "If you have a vagina, know or love somebody with a vagina, you need to read this." Diane Danzebrink, The Menopause Counsellor "This extraordinary, outstanding book is refreshingly candid and one of a kind. It is the sort of book you will buy extra copies of, to give to your daughters, your sisters and your friends." Julie Bennett, Educational Author "I love the book and already have patients and friends in mind that I can recommend it to." Fiona Mitchell, Women's Health Physiotherapist "I would recommend it to everyone." Amanda Tozer, Consultant Gynaecologist "Absolutely love it! Such an honest and informative read, smashing the taboo surrounding the conversation about our vaginas." Sam Evans, Sexual Health Expert

With the right care, there is much that can be done to help anyone with fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome to improve their quality of life dramatically. This book is an easy-to-read and practical guide to dealing with these conditions, written by one of the UK's leading consultants on pain control. It takes a straightforward and down-to-earth look at what these conditions are about; how they might affect different aspects of sufferers' lives; what their options are; and how they can get on with their lives.

Meet Ellie - a young girl with epilepsy. Ellie invites readers to learn about epilepsy from her perspective. She introduces us to some friends who help present the varying forms of epilepsy. Ellie and her friends help children to understand the obstacles that they face by telling them what it feels like to have epilepsy, how it affects them physically and emotionally, how epilepsy can be treated and how the condition is often misunderstood by people who do not know the facts. This illustrated book is full of useful information and will be an ideal introduction for children from the age of 7. It will also help parents, friends, and professionals to make sense of the condition in its varying forms and will be an excellent starting point for family and classroom discussions.

Headache in women is truly a major health issue. Every year, over 22 million women in the United States suffer from migraine headache, often debilitating attacks that can leave the sufferer bedridden and that, in many cases, can undermine both one's career and even one's marriage. The Woman's Guide to Managing Migraine is a concise and practical handbook that gives female headache sufferers all the tools they need to work with their healthcare providers to properly diagnose types of headache and develop the best possible treatment plans. A headache specialist, family practice physician, and fellow migraine sufferer, Dr. Susan Hutchinson introduces the reader to seven women with different lives--ranging from a nineteen-year-old college student, to a twenty-nine-year-old attorney, to a fifty-five-year- old mother of three grown children--different women with the common thread of suffering from disabling monthly migraines. As these women's lives unfold throughout the book, the reader gains insight into their own headache experience. Readers will learn about hormonal therapy, preventive strategies, and treatment options, ranging from the most promising new drugs to the most effective complementary and alternative therapies. Dr. Hutchinson answers common questions, such as how to plan for pregnancy and how to manage family and work life while coping with ongoing migraine attacks. She shows you how to carefully maintain your body and brain to minimize disruptions that can trigger a migraine, how to keep a migraine diary, how to find a headache-focused provider in your area, and how to make the most out of a visit to your doctor. The book includes a "headache quiz" that will determine if you are having true migraines. The time in a woman's life when migraine is most common--her twenties through her early fifties--represents her peak earning- power and child-raising years. The Woman's Guide to Managing Migraine will empower women to take charg

With more than fifty years' experience as a cancer physician, Dr Philip A. Salem believes that knowledge alone is not enough when battling the disease. Patients need love, care, hope, compassion and time to talk about their fears, anxieties and concerns. This book, written with passion and precision, is intended to empower patients, helping them to receive the best possible care. Expertly taking patients through each part of the treatment process, starting with diagnosis - and supplemented throughout with insightful patient stories - Defeating Cancer will give strength to anyone affected by the condition.

Sexually transmitted diseases among teens has become a full blown epidemic a national emergency that's killing our kids. In this groundbreaking book Dr. Meeker uncovers the story of this serious epidemic and the pattern of political correctness and marketing hype that has caused this tidal wave of disease.

WINNER OF BEST BOOK (POPULAR MEDICINE) AT THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION'S BOOK AWARDS 2014 Pain, suffering and stress can be intolerable - but it doesn't have to be this way. Mindfulness for Health reveals a series of simple practices that you can incorporate into your daily life to relieve chronic pain and the suffering and stress of illness. Clinical trials show that mindfulness meditation can be as effective as prescription painkillers and also enhances the body's natural healing systems. Mindfulness can also reduce the anxiety, depression, irritability, exhaustion and insomnia that can arise from chronic pain and illness. Mindfulness for Health is based on a unique meditation programme developed by Vidyamala Burch to help her cope with the severe pain of spinal injury. Taught at Breathworks in the UK - and its affiliates around the world - this programme has helped tens of thousands of people cope with pain, illness and stress. Breathworks' pioneering approach is praised by Professor Mark Williams of Oxford University, Jon Kabat-Zinn and Professor Lance McCracken of King's College London. The eight-week programme at the heart of this book takes just 10-20 minutes per day. It is particularly effective for the biggest causes of pain - back problems, arthritis, migraine and diabetes but works equally well for cancer (and its associated chemotherapy), heart disease, fibromyalgia, celiac disease, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, labour pain and even tinnitus. You will be surprised by how quickly your suffering melts away, leaving you able to live life to the full again.

TAll you need to know about the practicalities of caring for someone with dementia, packed into an easy to read guide. Dementia Care looks at safety issues in and out of the home, coping with challenging behaviour, what to do when care needs increase - and last but not least, how to take care of yourself and your needs. Topics include: what to do when the person is first diagnosed finding support you can trust how to access help with care taking care of the paperwork making a Power of Attorney other legal issues appointing a home care agency choosing and paying for a care home

As Dr. Mark Goulston tells his patients who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), "The fact that you're still afraid doesn't mean you're in any danger. It just takes the will and the way for your heart and soul to accept what the logical part of your mind already knows." In Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder For Dummies, Dr. Goulston helps you find the will and shows you the way. A traumatic event can turn your world upside down, but there is a path out of PTSD. This reassuring guide presents the latest on effective treatments that help you combat fear, stop stress in its tracks, and bring joy back into your life. You'll learn how to:* Identify PTSD symptoms and get a diagnosis* Understand PTSD and the nature of trauma* Develop a PTSD treatment plan* Choose the ideal therapist for you* Decide whether cognitive behavior therapy is right for you* Weight the pros and cons of PTSD medications* Cope with flashbacks, nightmares, and disruptive thoughts* Maximize your healing* Manage your recovery, both during and after treatment* Help a partner, child or other loved one triumph over PTSD* Know when you're getting better* Get your life back on track Whether you're a trauma survivor with PTSD or the caregiver of a PTSD sufferer, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder For Dummies, gives you the tools you need to win the battle against this disabling condition.

A guide to yoga therapy for post-stroke rehabilitation, this book is for yoga teachers and yoga therapists, but also for occupational, recreational, physical and speech therapists who work with people with stroke and may integrate yoga into their practice. Rooted in evidence-based research and written by two yoga teachers who are also academics and researchers in rehabilitation, the book provides basic information about stroke and neuroplasticity, discusses the mind body disconnect that often occurs after stroke, and provides instruction on how to improve balance, strength and range of motion. It also covers effective meditation techniques to help overcome the stress and emotional impact of stroke. Clear photographs demonstrate yoga postures and activities specifically adapted for stroke patients, alongside case studies.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease, such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, can be hard to diagnose, but is a condition that can severely disrupt your life. There are many different forms of treatment that can lead to long remissions but at present no immediate cure exists. In this invaluable guide, Professor John Hunter helps you diagnose your disease correctly and formulates the best treatment to keep symptoms under control so you can lead a full life. With the aid of self-assessment exercises and the latest medical research, Inflammatory Bowel Disease will help you discover: - what your condition is and how severe it is - the different drug treatments available - when you should consider surgery - how to control your symptoms using diet and lifestyle With clear, accessible information and effective guidance on treatment, Professor John Hunter will help you manage your symptoms and take control of your condition.

End chronic pain-for good-with this practical guide from the PBS personality behind Classical Stretch and author of the New York Times bestseller Aging Backwards. Chronic pain is the most common cause of long-term disability in the United States. Twenty percent of American adults accept back spasms, throbbing joints, arthritis aches, and other physical pain as an inevitable consequence of aging, illness, or injury. But the human body is not meant to endure chronic pain. Miranda Esmonde-White has spent decades helping professional athletes, ballet dancers, and Olympians overcome potentially career-ending injuries and guiding MS patients and cancer survivors toward pain-free mobility. Now, in Forever Painless, she shows everyone how to heal their aching bodies and live pain free. The root of nearly all pain is movement-or lack thereof. We need to move our bodies to refresh, nourish, and revitalize our cells. Without physical activity, our cells become stagnant and decay, accelerating the aging process and causing pain. People who suffer chronic pain often become sedentary, afraid that movement and activity will make things worse, when just the opposite is true: movement is essential to healing. In Forever Painless, Miranda provides detailed instructions for gentle exercise designed to ease discomfort in the feet and ankles, knees, hips, back, and neck-allowing anyone to live happier, healthier, and pain-free no matter their age.

Anatomy of an Illness was the first book by a patient that spoke to our current interest in taking charge of our own health. It started the revolution in patients working with their doctors and using humor to boost their bodies' capacity for healing. When Norman Cousins was diagnosed with a crippling and irreversible disease, he forged an unusual collaboration with his physician, and together they were able to beat the odds. The doctor's genius was in helping his patient to use his own powers: laughter, courage, and tenacity. The patient's talent was in mobilizing his body's own natural resources, proving what an effective healing tool the mind can be. This remarkable story of the triumph of the human spirit is truly inspirational reading.