Ebook: Pathways to Illness, Pathways to Health

This book, designed for professionals, introduces a psychobiological model for understanding the paths that lead people to illness and provides recommendations for alterations of maladaptive pathways so that health is regained. Research findings are incorporated to identify causal variables for illness that can be targets for change. Evidence based recommendations for healthy behaviors and therapies are described. Throughout the book, the authors emphasize recognition of turning points on the path to illness that, through informed decision making and implementation of behavioral change, can be re-directed to pathways to health. This book presents case material to illustrate the directions that lead people to illness or to health. The pathways metaphor provides an organizing force, both in addressing variables contributing to illness onset, and in identifying interventions to restore health. This approach will guide the clinician to understanding how people become ill and the types of interventions that are appropriate for stress related illnesses. The clinician will also become better informed about ways to help clients make better decisions, mobilize clients’ survival skills, and implement an interactive model of care. The book includes chapters on stress-related illnesses with high prevalence in today’s society. For each illness, the genetic-psychobiological etiology is explored with enough detail so that the clinician understands the best method of patient assessment and treatment. One of the strengths of the book is the step-wise system of interventions that are applied to the stress-related illnesses. Beginning with re-establishment of normal daily psychobiological rhythms and continuing to evidence based state of the art interventions, the professional is presented with detailed intervention plans.

For example, the section on "Applications to common illnesses: metabolic disorders of behavior: diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia" considers the confluence of genetics, behavior, and maladaptive mind body interactions to produce the metabolic syndrome. Then the personal and professional assessments are described to establish the baseline for recommending treatment while fully engaging the patient. Finally, multilevel interventions are formulated for these disorders. The plan begins with clinician guided self care recommendations to re-establish the normal rhythm of appetite and satiety. The next level of interventions consists of skill building techniques, such as relaxation and imagery. Lastly, psychotherapy and advanced applied psychophysiological interventions are detailed. Case examples are used throughout to illustrate the pathways to illness, the turning points, and the pathways to health. From the patients’ viewpoints, the pathways metaphor is a motivator. The patient is guided to understand the paths that led to illness. Subsequently, the patient becomes empowered by the pathways framework to begin to make choices that lead to health.

Why is this person healthy when that one is ill?

The trained provider is well schooled in the roles of genetics, environment, lifestyle choices, and pure luck in individuals' well-being. But now a groundbreaking new book clearly identifies the turning points that lead from wellness to disease--and how patients can be re-routed back to health. PathwaystoIllness, Pathwaysto Health is no simple metaphor but a powerful model for healing that views health and disease along a continuum, with patient and provider as partners on the journey. A rigorous evidence base pinpoints causal variables for illness (particularly stress-related disorders) that can be targets for change, and is the basis for recommended healthful behaviors and restorative therapies. Case histories illustrate a detailed ongoing assessment process and three progressive levels of intervention chosen from a variety of techniques and modalities, ranging from biofeedback and mindful breathing to cognitive-behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. Included in the coverage:

• Genetic and psychosocial etiologies of illness.
• Psychophysiological aspects of stress.
• Guidelines for comprehensive assessment.
• The conceptual framework: interventions in the pathways model.
• Applications to common illnesses: diabetes, obesity, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, back pain, sleep disorders, fibromyalgia, and more.
• Personalizing the path to health and wellness.

Health psychologists, clinical psychologists, primary care physicians, nurses, medical students and residents, and practitioners in holistic health and in alternative and complementary medicine will find in PathwaystoIllness, Pathwaysto Health a clear set of signposts leading to the future of care.