More than 400,000 people in the United States undergo kidney dialysis. For many, the prospect of a regular appointment with a dialysis machine seems like the end of life itself. But that reaction couldn't be more wrong.
In Dialysis Without Fear, psychiatrist and dialysis patient Dr. Daniel Offer joins with his wife, Marjorie Kaiz Offer, and daughter, Susan Offer Szafir, to reveal how life can be lived--and lived well--on dialysis. Drawing on his long career as a medical expert and more than seven years of
experience as a patient, Dr. Offer convincingly dispels the misconceptions surrounding this treatment, revealing how most dialysis patients can travel, work, and continue to partake in life's joys and celebrations. But the fears and hardships can be quite real, and Dr. Offer brings his years as a
psychiatrist to bear as he provides practical advice on how patients can overcome them. He walks the reader through each step of dialysis, explains different types of treatment, examines the pros and cons of a transplant, and discusses side effects. Dialysis, he notes, affects the entire family; his
own wife and daughter provide realistic insights into how relatives can cope and thrive together. Along the way, they provide a treasure trove of tips on adapting to the new diet, traveling overseas, and adjusting working hours. The Offers also relate inspiring success stories, sharing the humor,
courage, and triumphs of real families.
Life on dialysis is unquestionably difficult--but the difficulties can be overcome. With this inspiring, practical guide, patients can learn to live without fear, fulfill their hopes, and enjoy every day.

As a group, normal middle-aged men tend to fly well below the radar screen of public scrutiny. They are neither deviants nor superheroes. Rarely the subject of movies or newspaper headlines, regular guys arena (TM)t fabulously wealthy, nor are their ambitions circumscribed. They contribute to society, raise their children, and respect other people. Nevertheless, these regular guys have experienced their share of adversity and emotional challengesa "such a divorce, death, illness, and loss of jobsa "but reflect a continuing core of emotional stability.

Regular Guys follows 67 well-adjusted mostly white males, who were initially chosen during the 1960s, to test theories of normal adolescent functioning. They were reinterviewed at age 48 to examine male functioning at middle age. This unique, 34-year study contrasts the critical period of adolescent development, which has been culturally characterized by stress and turmoil, with the relative stability of middle age. It addresses such issues as:

- Attitudes and behaviors concerning work, sex, religion, and self.

- Relationships with parents, siblings, spouses, and children.

- Coping and resilience in response to trauma.

- Negative health behaviors (particularly overeating and problem drinking as adults).

- Memories of their teenage years.

The authorsa (TM) findings are likely to be of considerable interest and use to clinicians and academics alike. In addition, the results provide a baseline as to what, by contrast, reflects psychopathology. Regular Guys provides a much-needed portrait of individuals rarely studied across several decades of time.

More than 400,000 people in the United States undergo kidney dialysis. If you or a member of your family are one of them, then the prospect of a regular appointment with a dialysis machine may seem like the end of life itself. But that reaction couldn't be more wrong.
In Dialysis Without Fear, psychiatrist and dialysis patient Dr. Daniel Offer joins with his wife, Marjorie Kaiz Offer, and daughter, Susan Offer Szafir, to reveal how life can be lived--and lived well--on dialysis. Drawing on his long medical career and more than seven years of personal experience with dialysis, Dr. Offer dispels many misconceptions surrounding this treatment, explaining how you can adapt to the new diet, travel, work and continue to partake in life's joys and celebrations. But the fears and hardships can be quite real, and Dr. Offer brings his years as a psychiatrist to bear as he provides practical advice on how patients can overcome them. Walking through each step of dialysis, he explains different types of treatment, examines the pros and cons of a transplant, and discusses side effects. Since dialysis affects the entire family, Dr. Offer and his coauthors also provide realistic insights into how relatives can cope and thrive together, sharing the humor, courage, and triumphs of real families who have successfully faced the challenges of dialysis. The result is an inspiring, practical guide that will help you and your family learn to overcome the difficulties of dialysis, live without fear, and enjoy every day.

One of the few extant longitudinal studies of normal men; has the best follow-up rate (94%) of any longitudinal study of its length ever done.