Samantha is stamped with a 'bipolar' label that becomes the trajectory for her tortured existence. For the next three decades she will wind through a maze of anguished suffering, accompanied by memory-effacing medical interventions in the form of electroconvulsive therapies, heaps of pills and repellent hallucinations. As her helpless family and loved ones watch, often in terror, Samantha yo-yos between acceptance and denial of her diagnosis. Time and again believing she is well, she plummets into the devastating chasm of her illness.

Life Interrupted is a deeply compelling memoir that brilliantly humanises the sufferer beyond the label. It is groundbreaking in the way the author shares the horrors of psychosis and unbounded mania, the fears of depression and the emergence of recovery.

This book will not only appeal to the over four million people diagnosed with bipolar in South Africa, but to the millions of people who are affected by loved ones with bipolar, as well as to everyone who reads it.

In the United States alone, roughly 300,000 children suffer from some form of arthritis or rheumatic disease, and millions more are at risk of developing one of these diseases. In this marvelously down-to-earth guide, Thomas Lehman--the head of one of the leading pediatric rheumatology programs in the world--offers a gold mine of expert advice invaluable for pediatricians who want to become more proficient in understanding, diagnosing, and treating rheumatic disease in children. Dr. Lehman helps pediatricians interpret their patients' complaints and determine whether and what type of medical attention is needed, explaining what symptoms to look for, what questions to ask, what tests to run, and what to expect when treatment begins. Using illustrative anecdotes, this book sheds light on a wide range of rheumatic disorders--including juvenile arthritis, Lyme disease, lupus, Kawasaki disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome--and it addresses such crucial topics as drug safety, genetic considerations, the potential risks to children posed by medications, the difficulty of family life when a child has a chronic disease, and much more.
A Clinician's Guide to Rheumatic Diseases in Children captures the expertise of a dedicated physician with over thirty years of hands-on experience helping children lead normal, happy lives. It will help pediatricians make sure that patients achieve the best possible outcome.

The onset of the quadruple burden of disease in South Africa, the challenges faced by the medical establishment to curtail the rapid growth of multiple epidemics, the inadequate response by the state to various inequities in the health system, and the public debates associated with it, have all combined to draw attention to the sociological aspects of health and disease. Sociology as a resource of knowledge and a unique analytical and conceptual perspective can be used to understand, explain and positively influence the course of health and disease in South African society and our responses to it. As a health practitioner or scholar you must be equipped with the skills to critically evaluate research and debates in your profession, be able to adapt to changes and contribute to the development of knowledge and best practice. This reader will familiarise you with relevant content and assist you to develop the analytical capacity and conceptual skills you will need. Society, Health and Disease in South Africa is authored by experienced educators and researchers in the fi elds of sociology, social work, anthropology, healthcare policy and practice.

The Motoneurone and its Muscle Fibres presents a state-of-the-art summary of knowledge concerning the motoneurones, vital for innervating and commanding skeletal muscles. No muscle action would be possible without motoneurones. These cells are therefore absolutely essential for the execution of normal behaviour and for life support. It is their degeneration that leads to various kinds of motoneurone disease (e.g. ALS) that are often ultimately lethal. However, the study of motoneurones is also important for general insights as to how neurones work, because the motoneurone is probably the best understood kind of nerve cell so far in neuroscience. Motoneurones of the spinal cord were the first type of central nerve cell to be subjected to detailed physiological measurements, and much is known about how their activity is regulated by synapses from other central neurones. For most of the individual neurones within the central nervous system, the precise functional tasks are difficult to define. However, for motoneurones much is now known about their short- and long-term interactions with their main targets, the skeletal muscle fibres. Functions of neurones must be analyzed in relation to the response properties of their target cells. Therefore, this book deals with both, summarizing classical as well as recent knowledge concerning the motoneurone and its muscle fibres. This is the first time that so many aspects of this broad subject matter are treated in one comprehensive monograph.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be dying? Knowing that you are within sight of reaching your own mortality? Sitting in a body that is not even recognised by your brain? Cilla knew! PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) affects thousands, yet there is little known about it. Perhaps the similarities between this illness and others have masked the effects, and for some this may come far too late due to misdiagnosis. This insight into the unique illness of PSP has been painstakingly put together for the exact purposes of showing how an illness can affect one person's life. The devotion to 'open up' in this frank, 'no holds barred' biography is to allow you, the reader, to see how an ordinary life can change in such a short time. This honest approach should allow both the sufferer and their eventual carers to help come to terms with both their illness and their own transience. Maybe, by proving how similar we all are, there might be an eventual understanding, which hopefully will go well beyond just one person. With the help of others, it has been possible to recall some human elements. Although, in truth, it is the sufferers own underlying feelings and personal memories that make this book so special. In this instance, like many of us, Cilla remembered what it felt like to be invincible. To be able to run, skip, hop, jump, climb and generally be able to do almost anything. Through this book, Cilla thought that if her experiences were made public then she could, at least, help othersa | indirectly or otherwise. The latter stages of the book, sadly, reflect the concluding stages of lifea | so be prepared to get to know Cilla in both life and her eventual death.

Why do you get headaches? What's the origin of depression? Why are certain people susceptible to colds? How does cancer originate emotionally? Which psychological patterns cause the cholesterol level to rise? This is an invaluable tool for in-depth self-exploration. This work shows the psychological-emotional origins and solutions of disease. It thoroughly treats an enormous variety of illnesses and symptoms, such as allergies, bedwetting, ADHD, burnout, eczema, rheumatism, stomach-ache, hyperventilation, asthma, hot flashes, all kinds of cancer, epilepsy, headaches, menstruation problems, chronic fatigue syndrome etc. The first part of this book offers innovative philosophical viewpoints and practical guidelines to take your own life in hand. The second part contains entries about come 1000 diseases and has fascinating chapters about the symbolism of the organs and other parts of the body.

Bristol - 1953 It's Coronation Year. A new beginning in the aftermath of war, but there are still battles to be fought and secrets to be kept. Charlotte Hennessey-White copes with the shortcomings of her marriage and throws herself into helping refugees unwelcome by some and exploited by others. Edna Burbage has three beautiful children and considers herself lucky until the advent of a deadly twentieth century disease makes her think otherwise. Polly Chandler still hopes for a better life, but there are too many obstacles standing in her way. These three women lived through a war, can they now cope with the demands of peace? Praise for Lizzie Lane: 'A gripping saga and a storyline that will keep you hooked' Rosie Goodwin 'The Tobacco Girls is another heartwarming tale of love and friendship and a must-read for all saga fans.' Jean Fullerton 'Lizzie Lane opens the door to a past of factory girls, redolent with life-affirming friendship, drama, and choices that are as relevant today as they were then.' Catrin Collier 'If you want an exciting, authentic historical saga then look no further than Lizzie Lane.' Fenella J Miller

As old age is increasing globally, some challenges arise such as multimorbidity, a unique medical condition that has multiple potential complications and thus needs high-quality care directed by qualified healthcare providers. Multimorbidity is an important daily challenge to internists worldwide due to its many difficulties. Junior physicians dealing with multimorbidity must have the knowledge to practice high-quality care for their elderly patients. Cases on Multimorbidity and Its Impact on Elderly Patients considers approaches to manage multimorbidity and its unique complications and challenges to aid in appropriate daily decision making. Covering key topics such as weight loss, aging, and frailty, this reference work is ideal for medical professionals, nurses, policymakers, researchers, scholars, academicians, practitioners, instructors, and students.