~ S P E C I A L ~ F E A T U R E ~
An Introduction to
~ an excerpt from the new book ~
Integrative PsychiatryMEDICINE, MIND AND MEANING
by Eve A. Wood, MD
INTRODUCTION
This excerpt, below, concerns the extraordinary case of "Gillie," a patient suffering from multiple personality disorder. At one point in their 14-year relationship, Gillie attempts suicide in the hallway outside Dr. Wood's office. It is an incredible story and led former U.S. Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, to say, "I have seldom been so moved by a book. This is the only healing model that makes sense."
Dr. Wood is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona Program in Integrative Medicine. Founded by Andrew Weil, the Program has earned an international reputation in integrative and complementary medicine. Medicine, Mind and Meaning attempts to bring the alternative care movement into psychiatry by integrating physical, psychological, and spiritual healing for patients suffering with psychiatric disorders.
This book will be welcome by anyone diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse problems, sleep disorders, or post-traumatic stress -- as well as their friends, families, caretakers, and loved ones. More information about the book, Medicine, Mind and Meaning, and author Eve A. Wood, MD, follows the excerpt.
An Introduction to Integrative Psychiatry
by Eve A. Wood, MDEach one of us has a story that is its own beautiful tale and we can learn a great deal when we choose to share our stories with one another.
Because of this, I have chosen to share my patients' stories and experiences in this book. I have learned that without focusing upon the human element of the healing endeavor, theoretical concepts are useless. Whether you are a practicing physician, a patient, or someone simply looking for guidance, you, too, can learn as you identify with my patients. You will see parts of yourself in their stories; and as you empathize with them, you will be supported in your own journey towards health.
When I decided to write this book, I knew I had to share the most powerful, moving, intense, long-term, and amazing story of healing that I have personally experienced. It is the story of Gillie, who became my patient fourteen years ago. When Gillie and I met, she was one of the most shattered people I had ever seen -- and yet, as time went on, Gillie proved to be far more emotionally distressed than I had previously imagined. She had been diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, or dissociative identity disorder. Those of you who know the books The Three Faces of Eve and Sybil can appreciate what this diagnosis involves. After decades of psychiatric treatment and multiple psychiatric hospitalizations for serious suicide attempts, suffering from a pervasive inability to stay present in her own skin, and an absolute aversion to sharing her internal world with anyone, Gillie asked me to help her.
The story has a powerful lesson: the determination to heal can pay off. Gillie now enjoys sound emotional and mental health. She no longer has dissociative identity disorder, and she is one of the most impressive people I have ever known.
Within Gillie's story there is another tale to tell. It is my story; I want to share that with you as well, to show you how my relationship with Gillie taught me profound lessons about the art of psychiatry and the wonder of healing. Gillie and I began our relationship at the same time as I began my psychiatric practice, and I learned from her just as she was able to learn from me. This remarkable woman forced me to reach down to the bottom of my soul to find a way to help her. In doing so, she taught me to be resolute in the fact of amazing challenges, patient and hopeful in the face of continued despair, and dogged in my belief that, if she would let me into the deepest recesses of her internal world and allow me to guide her, I would be able to help her. I couldn't just hope that I would be able to help Gillie; I had to believe I could. I had to trust that I could help her move from a place of obsession with self-destruction and distrust, to a place of fulfillment, joy, and love.
Gillie's story is the ultimate demonstration of the power of faith in healing. For although I took advantage of every medical teaching and therapeutic technique I had ever learned in my attempt to help her heal, her cure would have been impossible had I left love, unity, empathy, and hope out of her treatment.
My work with Gillie led me to trust what feels natural. I had to quiet the rational side of myself, and draw on my inner-wisdom, capacity for empathy, ability to love, and faith that I would be given answers. I needed to become Gillie's guide through the labyrinth, and be her model of a happy, integrated, and reliable woman.
Through my work with Gillie, I learned to integrate medicine, mindset, and the spiritual realm. I came to trust in the unconventional in my clinical work. I now know that in order to help my patients heal themselves, I must go beyond my medical training. I employ a body-mind-spirit approach that I have chosen to represent with the three- legged stool in this book. My goal in the coming pages is to show you that when it comes to healing broken psyches, we cannot separate body, mind, and spirit from one another. These elements depend upon one another just as the tides depend upon the moon, and the earth depends upon the sun.
About the Author
Eve A. Wood, M.D. has devoted nearly two decades to the care of troubled individuals from all walks of life. Her therapeutic approach has attracted attention and acclaim from the nation’s leading authorities in the fields of medicine, health and spiritual well being. She is the author of numerous articles for medical and professional publications and is a frequent speaker at national workshops and conferences, including the American Psychiatric Association.
Dr. Wood has served on the faculty of University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, the executive committee of the Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital and has most recently been appointed Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona Program in Integrative Medicine. With a concentration in neurobiology and behavior, Wood graduated cum laude from Cornell University with a B.A. in biology. She earned her M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She currently lives in Tucson with her husband and four children.
About the Book
A Psychiatrist's Guide to Treating
the Body, Mind and Spirit
by Eve A. Wood, MD
Published by In One Press
(ISBN 0-9741083-0-8, 347 pages, hard cover, $21.95)
Available through this site or directly from the publisher:
http://www.medicinemindandmeaning.comWhen Dr. Eve Wood began her practice nearly two decades ago, she opened her door to the one-on-one care of troubled individuals from all walks of life. During that time she discovered a universal truth: body, mind and spiritual well-being must work together to effectively heal.
In Medicine, Mind and Meaning, Dr. Wood carefully illustrates how this integrated approach can make even the most troubled among us, healthier, happier and wiser. While offering tips, tools and resources, she teaches by telling her patients' stories.
Medicine, Mind and Meaning is a step-by-step guide that lays out an integrative approach to healing that combines traditional psychiatric practices and universal spiritual principles. By teaching people where to go for what sort of help, the book serves to build bridges between disciplines. Dr. Wood's lessons are taught through sharing real stories from nearly two decades of her clinical practice.
AWARDS:
- Finalist: 2005 Benjamin Franklin Award: "Best New Voice (Non-Fiction)"
- Finalist: Nautilus 2005 Book Award: "Psychology/Self-Help"
- Finalist: Nautilus 2005 Book Award: "Small Press" -- honorary category
- Finalist: ForeWord Magazine 2005 Book of the Year Award: "Health"
- Finalist: ForeWord Magazine 2005 Book of the Year Award: "Mind/Body/Spirit"
- Finalist: ForeWord Magazine 2005 Book of the Year Award: "Psychology"
- Finalist: ForeWord Magazine 2005 Book of the Year Award: "Self-Help"
- Honorable Mention: 2005 Writer's Digest International Award: "Inspirational"
ENDORSEMENTS:
"I have seldom been so moved by a book. This is the only healing model that makes sense."
- C. Everett Koop, MD, former U.S. Surgeon General"Eve Wood's book is an excellent resource to assist on your journey to healing. Don't struggle unnecessarily and lose your way. Read the wisdom contained here and find the way to your desired destination."
- Bernie Siegel, MD, author of Love, Medicine and Miracles"This book is awesome - a wonderful addition to this world. It offers welcome relief, hope and healing to all who suffer from ADD, depression, anxiety, addictive illness or even general malaise."
- Edward M. Hallowell, MD, Harvard Medical School, author of Driven to Distraction and Human Moments"Eve Wood is one of those much needed voices building the long awaited bridge between psychology and the realm of the sacred. . .This is an important book that should not be missed."
- Rabbi Mordechai Gafni, author of Mystery of Love and Soul Prints"This is a heartfelt book by a clinician of uncommon skill and empathy. It is a unique combination of deep caring born of the desire to relieve suffering and of practical advice. It expressed how care-giving in this age of modern medicine can still attend to the complete human being in all his glorious aspects."
- Gregory Fricchione, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry Harvard Medical School"You only get wisdom this good from your grandmother at the kitchen table. Dr. Wood offers us a road map for our own psycho-spiritual evolution."
- Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, Congregation Emanu-El, author of Invisible Lines of Connection.
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Copyright ©2004 by Eve A. Wood, MD. All Rights Reserved. Please feel free to duplicate and distribute this file, as long as the excerpt is not altered and this copyright notice is intact. Thank you.