Over My Head : A Doctor's Own Story of Head Injury from the Inside Looking Out
by Claudia L. Osborn

Listening in the Silence, Seeing in the Dark: Reconstructing Life After Brain Injury
by Ruthann Knechel Johansen

From Library Journal
A teacher of literature and narrative theory at the University of Notre Dame, Johansen (The Narrative Secret of Flannery O'Connor) uses her literary skill to tell the story of her 15-year-old son Erik's recovery from traumatic brain injury after a car accident. Not knowing at first whether Erik would live or die, family members found themselves trying to understand and communicate with the medical world. Once Erik emerged from the coma, the family, with the help of medical and rehabilitation specialists, social workers, educators, and psychotherapists, sought ways to communicate with this young man, who had lost all sense of self and of everything he knew. As Erik struggled to relearn basic activities, his family and friends told him stories to help him regain his sense of self. Johansen's account of these events draws us into a world of confusion and terror and a search for understanding. The result is a deeply moving story of a struggle to selfhood and of the many contributions that make recovery from traumatic brain injury possible. Jodith Janes, Cleveland Clinic Fdn.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

I'll Carry the Fork!: Recovering a Life After Brain Injury
by Kara L. Swanson, Mike Chrumka (Illustrator)

Kara Swanson's remarkable story provides a very meaningful glimpse into the life of someone who has been changed by a head injury. By sharing her personal triumphs and challenges she gives us a new sensitivity for the countless people and families who focus each and every day on their recoveries. Both Kara and her book are special.

Coping with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Dr. Diane Roberts Stoler, Ed.D. and Barbara Albers Hill

From Library Journal
Over 325,000 Americans annually suffer mild head trauma from automobile accidents, assaults, falls, sports injuries, etc. With a diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), the individual will be told to rest for a few days or weeks, and, with luck, that may be the end of it. Unfortunately, many of those affected suffer ongoing, debilitating symptoms--migraines, depression, seizures, etc.--for months or even years. Symptoms are unpredictable and are difficult to diagnose because there is no single test to detect MTBI and postconcussive syndrome (PCS). Stoler, a practicing psychologist who has herself experienced mild head injury, and Hill, a psychologist and writer, have compiled a comprehensive manual explaining what is involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of brain-injured people. Presenting short case studies, they discuss the difficult diagnostic context of head trauma and offer practical suggestions for coping with physical and emotional repercussions. Especially valuable for patient education libraries. (James Swanton, Harlem Hosp., New York Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.)

Head Injury: The Facts: A Guide for Families and Care-Givers
(Oxford Medical Publications)
by D. M. A. Gronwall, Philip Wrightson, Peter Waddell

Editorial Reviews
From Book News, Inc.
Offers beginning and seasoned clinicians some insights of specialists in physical therapy for adults with traumatic brain injury. The topics include rehabilitation, treating cognitive disorders, improving motor control, orthotic management for the lower limb, and how physical therapy fits into the larger management strategy. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Living With Brain Injury: A Guide for Families, Second Edition
by Richard C. Senelick, Karla Dougherty

Book Description
The new, updated edition of the renowned classicùcomplete with cutting edge neuroplaticity and exciting experimental rehabilitation research! Living with Brain Injury will help readersùboth families of patients and professionals alikeùthrough new, uncharted territory of brain rehabilitation, a world where people we love may change before our eyes, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Care Packages: Letters to Christopher Reeve from Strangers and Other Friends
by Dana Reeve

Book Description
"This book is a thank-you letter. A long overdue reply to all of the people who, during one of the most difficult and painful periods my family has had to endure, took time and wrote to us; faxed us; phoned or visited us; prayed for us; joined hands for us; sent us flowers, gifts, white light, religious tokens and talismans, books, tapes, drawings, funny stories and jokes that made us laugh, tales of overcoming hardship that inspired us and gave us hope. . . ."

When Christopher Reeve was paralyzed in a riding accident on May 27, 1995, letters poured in from around the world, some addressed only to "Superman, USA." It was an astonishing demonstration of sympathy and support for a man who had become an American icon. In Care Packages, Dana Reeve, Christopher's wife, has collected some of the most unforgettable letters and gifts that her family received. There are thoughts and prayers from Hollywood's greatest stars, like Katharine Hepburn ("Golly. What a mess. Call me.") and Robert De Niro, politicians and presidents, and, of course, the everyday heroes who have prevailed in the face of nearly overwhelming adversity to lead rich and fulfilling lives. These letters are inspiring, funny, surprising, and always deeply touching. Some writers offer advice (listen to jazz, try LSD psychotherapy, get a cat), while others simply tell their own stories in a beautiful gesture of hope and community. And sometimes the youngest fans say it best ("I'm sorry that you fell off your horse. Let's hope it won't happen again"; "i broke my neck....im ok now. i hope you will be too"). But Care Packages is not only about the "strangers and other friends" who have had such a profound effect on the Reeves. With an introduction to each chapter by Dana Reeve, it is also the story of a marriage and a family facing the ultimate test--from the fear of the emergency room to the long, hard days of rehab to the bittersweet moments of a wedding anniversary--and reaffirming their commitment in a thousand new ways.

The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook
by Martha Davis, Matthew, Ph.D. McKay, Elizabeth Robbins Eshelm

Amazon.com
Although the sheer size of this dense workbook might cause initial hyperventilation--280 full-size sheets of text--take heart (and a deep breath!): the many self-assessment tools and calming techniques presented in this fifth edition can help overcome anxiety and promote physical and emotional well-being. First introduced in 1980, the book received praise for presenting a comprehensive look at stress, its physical manifestations, and the multiple ways it can be managed. Twenty years later, its well-organized chapters on breathing, relaxation, meditation, thought stopping, and body awareness still guide the reader through copious self-help techniques to try and, eventually, master. Other chapters, including job stress management, goal setting and time management, and assertiveness training, focus on daily scenarios people often find distressing. Lessons in identifying key elements that trigger unpleasant responses and in reacting differently to these elements are designed to defuse perceived conflicts. For this edition, coauthors Martha Davis (psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, CA), Elizabeth Robbins Eshelman (licensed clinical social worker with Kaiser Permanente Online), and Matthew McKay (clinical director of Haight-Ashbury Psychological Services, San Francisco, CA) have added topics on worry control, anger management, and eye-movement therapy. New diagrams and a more reader-friendly format should appeal to readers, despite a few typos and graphical mishaps. This is a valuable tool for therapists, their patients, and the stressed-at-large. --Liane Thomas

The Wellness Book: The Comprehensive Guide to Maintaining Health and Treating Stress-Related Illness
by Herbert, M.D. Benson, Eileen M. Stuart (Contributo

Book Description

The Mind/Body Connection
Millions of readers are familiar with the work of Dr. Herbert Benson and the Mind/Body Medical Institute from the mega-bestselling book The Relaxation Response. With over three million copies in print, it is a classic in the field of mind/body medicine. Now, in The Wellness Book, Dr. Benson, Eileen Stuart, and their colleagues at the Institute have created the definitive resource that shows you how to maintain your health and treat stress-related illnesses, including:

• high blood pressure
• cardiovascular disease
• chronic pain
• infertility
• insomnia
• women's health concerns
• anxiety
• symptoms of HIV and cancer

The Wellness Book reflects the cutting edge of health care, giving you the opportunity to gain more control over your own well-being. Use of the book, in combination with modern medical treatments, will aid in prevention and treatment of a number of illnesses and, according to USA Today, "legitimizes the mind/body connection in traditional medicine."