Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient
by Norman Cousins
List Price:
Our Price: $7.72
You Save: $6.23 (45%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.00 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Norman CousinsEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2005-07-11
ISBN: 0393326845
Number of pages: 176
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780393326840
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
- Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices
Book Reviews of Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient
Book Review: Patients and doctors would benefit from revisiting this now, more than ever before!
Summary: 5 Stars
At the height of inflation in America, Anatomy of an Illness, Norman Cousins' oft-cited book, achieved wide-ranging acceptance. Thirty years later, people still frequently refer to Cousins and how he cured himself.
If there's one thing a graduate education taught me, was to go back to the source. Knowing that details change a little each time in the retelling of a story, I wanted to know:
What really happened?
What exactly was Cousins' illness?
What exactly did he do to become cured?
What really happened?
Cousins, long-time editor for the Saturday Review, had traveled as chairman of a delegation to the Soviet Union in 1964. During the hot nights, he slept in a second floor hotel room with the windows wide open. Diesel trucks spewing fumes drove through the residential area they were staying each night. The days were stressful for Cousins filled with overwhelming responsibilities and pressure. He believes his already compromised immune system (due to stress) succumbed to the fumes.
What exactly was Cousins' illness?
He had a collagen-related illness (related to arthritis) where the connective cell tissue was breaking down causing him agonizing pain and near paralysis. His doctors gave him a 1 in 500 chance at full recovery.
What exactly did he do to become cured?
Cousins partnered with his doctor. Being in a unique situation of having both a personal and professional relationship with his physician, Dr. Hitzig was open to discussing the ideas Cousins proposed for his recovery.
First, Cousins wondered if his stay in the hospital was unpleasant (noise and being woken for blood samples at all hours) and not conducive to recovery, what impact would positive experiences have? He also realized that the mega-doses of pain killers he was receiving (e.g., as many as twenty-six aspirin daily) were toxic; thus, hampering his body's natural defenses. Recognizing his urgent need to recover and have a normal life, his doctor supported him on a "prescription" of watching funny films. Cousins found that ten minutes of belly laughter were as effective as the painkillers. Again, with his doctor's consent, he stopped taking them.
After reading studies published in medical journals, Cousins was convinced that mega-doses of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) might be the cure. Instead of the 3 grams of intramuscular injections, he wanted to start at 10 grams, twenty times the typical 500 mg dose we take as a supplement. Since our bodies can only absorb so much, he discussed the idea with his doctor of an IV drip across 3-4 hours a day for one week. By the end of the seventh day, he had increased the dose to 25 grams.
Although, this bold treatment combined with laughter therapy didn't cure Cousins, it laid the foundation for his eventual recovery.
Two other points bear mentioning.
One, he credits his success with the single-minded focus of desiring to get better and doing whatever it took to get better. He emphasizes mind over matter.
Two, he believes as do other medical personnel who he quotes, that time to dialog with patients, understand their concerns, and explain courses of treatment play a more significant role in healing than all the modern technology we've come to depend on. (This was thirty years ago!) One cardiologist recommended the physician being at the emergency room to greet the patient. Imagine that!
Albeit thirty years old, An Anatomy of an Illness, bears revisiting by patients and doctors alike. Meanwhile, we need to listen to today's medical personnel, like Drs. Bernie Siegel and Peter Whitehouse, when they too emphasize the need for physician patient dialogue and understanding.
Brenda Avadian, MA
Founder, [...]
Summary of Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient
The best-selling, groundbreaking classic by Norman Cousins on combating life-threatening illness through humor and patient participation in care.Anatomy of an Illness was the first book by a patient that spoke to our current interest in taking charge of our own health. It started the revolution in patients working with their doctors and using humor to boost their bodies' capacity for healing. When Norman Cousins was diagnosed with a crippling and irreversible disease, he forged an unusual collaboration with his physician, and together they were able to beat the odds. The doctor's genius was in helping his patient to use his own powers: laughter, courage, and tenacity. The patient's talent was in mobilizing his body's own natural resources, proving what an effective healing tool the mind can be. This remarkable story of the triumph of the human spirit is truly inspirational reading.
General Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Audiobooks on Cassette
- Audiobooks on CD
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- e-Books
- Engineering
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Medicine
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in My Favorite Inspirational Books on Coping and Chronic Illness
Oh, the Places You'll Go! Deluxe Edition (Classic Seuss)by Dr. Seuss
Random House Books for Young Readers; Published: 1993-04-19; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.49
Price in other shops:
Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patientby Norman Cousins
W.W. Norton & Co.; Published: 2005-07-11; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.79
Price in other shops:
Answered Prayersby Julia Cameron
Tarcher; Published: 2004-10-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.98
Price in other shops:
When Do The Good Things Start?by Abraham J. Twerski M.D.
St. Martin's Griffin; Published: 1995-03-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.24
Price in other shops:
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Agesby Leo Buscaglia PhD
Slack Incorporated; Published: 1982-06-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.38
Price in other shops:
Love: What Life Is All Aboutby Leo F. Buscaglia
Ballantine Books; Published: 1996-08-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.24
Price in other shops:
Living Loving and Learningby Leo F. Buscaglia
Ballantine Books; Published: 1983-10-12; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.65
Price in other shops:
You Can Be Happy No Matter What: Five Principles for Keeping Life in Perspectiveby Ph.D. Richard Carlson
New World Library; Published: 2006-11-13; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.49
Price in other shops:
You Can Feel Good Again: Common-Sense Strategies for Releasing Unhappiness and Changing Your Lifeby Richard Carlson
Plume; Published: 1994-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.03
Price in other shops:
Kitchen Table Wisdom 10th Anniversaryby Rachel Naomi Remen
Riverhead Trade; Published: 2006-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
The Courage to Laughby Allen Klein
Tarcher; Published: 1998-08-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.39
Price in other shops:
Getting Well Again: The Bestselling Classic About the Simontons' Revolutionary Lifesaving Self- Awareness Techniquesby O. Carl Simonton M.D., James Creighton Ph.D., Stephanie Matthews Simonton, Stephanie Matthews, James L. Creighton
Bantam; Published: 1992-04-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.85
Price in other shops:
Meditations for Enhancing Your Immune Systemby Bernie Siegel M.D.
Hay House; Published: 1998-08-01; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $5.41
Price in other shops:
Healing Heartby Norman Cousins
Avon Books (Mm); Published: 1984-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $14.35
Love, Medicine and Miracles: Lessons Learned about Self-Healing from a Surgeon's Experience with Exceptional Patientsby Bernie S. Siegel
Harper Paperbacks; Published: 1990-06-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.65
Price in other shops:
Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient: Reflections on Healing and Regenerationby Norman Cousins
W. W. Norton & Company; Published: 2001-09; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.08
Price in other shops:
An Anatomy Of An IllnessRelease date: 2002-05-15; Published: 2002; DVD
Best price: $2.50
Price in other shops:
The Celebration of Life: A Dialogue on Hope, Spirit, and the Immortality of the Soulby Norman Cousins
Bantam; Published: 1991-07-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.10
Price in other shops:
The Healing Power of Humorby Allen Klein
Tarcher; Published: 1989-02-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.01
Price in other shops:
Head First: The Biology of Hope and the Healing Power of the Human Spiritby Norman Cousins
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 1990-12-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.61
Price in other shops: