Living under the Sword: Psychosocial Aspects of Recurrent and Progressive Life-Threatening Illness

This collection of essays by a renowned set of doctors, nurses, and caregivers examines the recurrence of disease as it relates to a host of mental and physical illnesses, including Alzheimer's, hemophilia, AIDS, cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, choriocarcinoma, Tay-Sachs, Huntington's disease, and suicide. Through the use of case studies, the editors dissect the mystique surrounding recurrence and emphasize the need to treat recurring diseases as vigorously as a primary illness, but also as a separate entity influenced by a variety of social, psychological, and physical factors. The impact of recurrence on the patient, the patient's family, and medical staff is also explored.

This valuable research-based resource provides a wide array of information in one handy volume. It will be a welcome addition to consumer health information collections in public libraries, medical libraries in universities, and hospitals.