My new book, The Binge Eating and Compulsive Overeating Workbook is threatening to take over my life. I’ve been out promoting the book and feeling very proud of my accomplishment of spending 2 years with writing and EDITING the book and now realizing that my work is not done, now I have to sell the book. Feedback so far has been good and I’m finally beginning to feel like – with three books under my belt- that I can call myself a writer.
As I got out and talk about the books, I realize also that these three books catalog something about my life. “Miracles in Healing” was the beginning of my healing journey when my Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers and as her oldest, doctor, daughter wanted me to find help for her. I started exploring alternative medicine but didn’t find much that would help her. Shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FMS) – a diagnosis with lots of shame attached by the medical profession. I overcame the shame and through the use of conventional plus alternative therapies was able to overcome the CFS and FMS. In the process, people showed up in my life with stories about their healing and I put their stories in this book and learned that there are specific traits of people who heal from serious and life threatening illnesses. Knowing about this and putting it in the book, I have tried to become the doctor who helps others heal just as I continued on my own healing journey. The updated book which is to be released later this year will add the part about my son, Noah, who died as a result of his mental illness at age 29 and what he taught me about applying alternative medicine to mental illness.
The second book “Healing Body, Mind and Spirit” speaks to the integrative medicine approach I developed while at Sierra Tucson and which was so successful in treating individuals with eating disorders, chemical dependency, trauma and mood disorders. This book represents my “coming out party” as a truly committed integrative physician.
My new book takes all of the above the next step. Although it focuses on binge eating disorder and compulsive overeating, the book could be used by anyone suffering with an addiction. It is unique in that it takes the reader through the processes I use with my own patients in a workbook fashion. It is the consolidation of my understanding of what it takes to heal – deal with stress, have a solid nutritional base, take supplements, use alternative therapies, deal with your emotional issues and heal issues with your body. It is the real deal!
As I talk about the books at workshops, etc. I realize how far I’ve come. I’m not the same physician who went to U of Michigan med school so many years ago. And I am finally happy to be the physician/healer that I am – no regrets.
