My entire life I have been plagued by a chronic illness. I was diagnosed with psoriasis when I was five years old, something that was unheard-of at the time. Years later I would be diagnosed with eight other chronic illnesses that has led to the life I once knew being over at the ripe age of 29. I know there are many out there that suffer like me, but for a long time I was alone in my silent battle, so I’ve grown to try to ignore it the best I can, pull up my boot straps, and do what I can to live each day with as much vigor as I can possibly muster. This is incredibly hard when all of my ailments have pretty much disabled me.

Because I am a suppressor by nature I normally do not read self-help books about dealing with chronic illnesses because I know when I do I will have to face my situation. Even though I’ve dealt with debilitating pain for years, it continues to be a truth I struggle to comprehend and it’s a constant fight for me to not be bitter that others can lead seemingly normal lives while I suffer in silence. But as I grow older I am realizing this is very unhealthy and, after reading Finding Joy, I am wondering just how harmful I’ve been to myself with years of negative self-talk.

There is definitely not a one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with chronic illnesses, but I still found comfort in the fact that I do not suffer alone. There were times I was reading and it felt like I could’ve written it myself, the truth resonated that deep. This book is outlined in an easy to read format that allows you to pick and choose what you want to read, and I personally took copious notes from chapter three, Managing Stress, and went through chapter seven with my husband, which is specifically for caregivers of those with chronic illness. My husband isn’t always the most sympathetic when it comes to my illness, because nothing seems to change no matter what new treatment I try or what surgery or procedure I endure. Reading through the chapter with him gave us both insight to one another’s thoughts and feelings and opened up the lines of communication, something which I am very thankful for.

Though this is a fount of information on its own, the author also cites many resources for further study that was extremely helpful, and something I plan on pursuing in the future. “Chronic illness can ruin your life,” and in a lot of ways I feel like it’s practically ruined mine. After years and years of debilitating pain, multiple surgeries and procedures, and no end in sight I do not know who I am anymore, but after reading Finding Joy I am feeling more hopeful, something I haven’t felt in a really long time. No, I might not be able to change my situation, but I can change my mindset, and choose to see my situation from a different perspective. It doesn’t have to be a burden, it could a blessing.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. ( )

Christopher Martin masterfully advises methods of coping with adversities that are under-appreciated by others in his" Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness". He presents a trove of uncommon common sense points of wisdom within a light, readily digestible text. He touches upon a limited set of illnesses directly (nobody could do otherwise), however most of his advice extends to numerous diseases.

I don't usually start a positive review with my most disparaging remarks, but in this instance I find it useful to do so. Contrary to his title, I did not draw much Finding Joy with from the text but rather wisdom for Overcoming the Adversities of. With respect to his subtitle, I saw ways of Recovering Happiness, Meaning, and Fulfillment rather than Discovering them. Although the title might also be misinterpreted to mean that an invisible problem might be used as a tool of sorts, the book does not really promote that notion either. Sub - optimum titles notwithstanding, readers will find Martin's book quite valuable.

Martin introduces the reader to such therapy topics for coping as Steven Hayes' ACT protocol to living in the moment with your values and sense of fulfillment intact. He also explains other schools of though for therapy that the invisibly ill can make use of. Different approaches hold out strengths and weaknesses to explore as well. One useful piece of advice which Martin gives is to ask a potential therapist what school of thought they work within the most and then use their reply in deciding their value to you. To this end, Martin's discourse on brands of therapy works well.

Other sections I appreciated include his thoughts on maintaining friendships, dating, relating to employers, and being helpful to your physician. Especially important are his suggestions on self-education vs. self-diagnosis. He points out that “no amount of internet research can replace the skills of an experienced provider.” Stress and depression receive a good amount of attention.

He meditates on a wide array of issues, but then he gives an unusual word of advice for an author to give. Don't try to harness everything which he has to say:

“It is best to focus your energy on one, two, or even three principles
or strategies in this book that you know you need to improve in your
life. If you try to put them all into practice immediately, you will set
yourself up for failure and become the “jack of all trades, master of
none.” We succeed where we focus. ” ( )