Re: To Kathy H.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy H.,

In a recent post you mentioned shadow syndrome. I know you have

discussed this before on the list, but could you refresh my memory? How

were you diagnosed? I also recall some relevant literature.

Thanks a bunch,

Lesli (S.F. Bay)

[Guest guest]

Warning: A bit of a long post. Hit delete now if you wish.

HI Lesli:

I haven't been diagnosed except by myself (:-))) after reading the book by

Ratey and I am willing to accept that I have

tendencies towards the shadow syndrome of OCD.

Here are some reviews from the amazon.com site:

Editorial Reviews

Freud once said that nobody is " normal, " and after reading Shadow

Syndromes, you may well be convinced of that. While more than 50

million Americans suffer from full-fledged mental illnesses such as

depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, millions more suffer from

milder forms--yet they likely don't realize it. From chronic sadness to low

self-esteem to shopping addiction to intermittent rage disorder,

compassionate authors J. Ratey, M.D. and , Ph.D.

chronicle the often-undiagnosed (yet definitely insidious) " shadow "

disorders. One of the most eye-opening points the authors make is that men

who " can't commit " to a relationship may in fact be suffering from an

unrecognized adult form of attention deficit disorder.

Shadow Syndromes is thorough, but at the same time it simplifies the

technical aspects of mental illnesses--no stacks of footnotes or

complicated neurotransmitter charts here. The authors use plenty of

anecdotes to illustrate how everyday people have recognized and

overcome shadow syndromes. They also prevent the book from becoming

one big bundle of bad news by stressing that these disorders are treatable

with medications such as Prozac, which took to handle her mild

depression. Specific lifestyle changes are also advised, including more

sleep, changes in diet, and more exercise. The " Care and Feeding of the

Brain " chapter compiles other powering, healing approaches. This book will

be valuable not only for those who believe they're suffering from a shadow

syndrome, but for doctors and therapists as well. --a nsen

Book Description

Are you living under a shadow?

Do you or someone you love suffer from:

Chronic sadness

Obsessiveness

Outbursts of anger

The inability to finish tasks

Acute anxiety

Disabling discomfort in social situations

These are the " shadow syndromes " of major mental disorders that limit the

lives, productivity, and happiness of millions of people.

Drawing on cutting-edge research, Drs. Ratey and challenge the most

basic beliefs of our mental health professionals by uncovering the

biological factors... read more

Synopsis

Ratey, the bestselling co-author of Driven to Distraction,

collaborates with the author of When to Say Goodbye to Your Therapist on

the first book to illuminate the shadow syndromes--mild forms of serious

mental disorders that affect the course of our lives. --This text refers to

the hardcover edition of this title

Synopsis

Illuminating the biological and physiological facets of human personality,

a psychological study explains how to identify shadow syndromes, mild forms

of serious mental disorders, and their implications and offers advice on

therapeutic options to temper the ailments. 100,000 first printing.

$100,000 ad/promo. Tour. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of

this title

See all 6 editorial reviews...

Customer Reviews

Number of Reviews: 12

This book has been an incredible encouragement to me

Reviewer: A reader from USA October 24, 1999

I was diagnosed with one of the disorders discussed in this book.

" Shadow Syndromes " has helped me realize that there ARE good things

about these " disorders " . There IS a purpose to all the suffering I and my

family experienced before my diagnosis as well as the hard work that has

been required since diagnosis.

I accept that my out of control biochemistry will require medication so

long as I live in a modern world that has little ability to tolerate

someone who lives out of step with the current drum. The need to be able to

provide for my family in a time-clock world means I must conform to some

degree. However, the knowledge that I have my own contributions to make

helps me to hold on to those parts of me that have been enhanced by my

" disorder " .

I have much work ahead of me. While meds are not the only answer, they seem

to buy me the time I need to work with a therapist on other strategies for

coping.

This book has been an incredible ecouragement to my loved ones and to me.

3 of 3 people found this review

helpful.

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Worthy book, but is analysis biased?

Reviewer: A reader from Westfield, NJ September 21,

1999

This is a worthwhile book to read as an introduction to a number of

fascinating personality disorders. The primary flaw: the authors assume

that popular stereotypes equal scientific fact, and tailor their analysis

to support the stereotypes. For example, the passage explaining that men

'act like men' because they have shadow ADHD accepts several negative

stereotypes as premise. Certain comments, asides, and occasional cheap

shots detract from the objectivity of this study, and hint that some of the

conclusions are agenda-driven.

0 of 1 people found this review

helpful.

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Take a Pill, Adjust Your Brain

Reviewer: A reader from Sepulveda, California May

17, 1999

Now we don't have to worry about trying to make good choices to make our

lives work. We can just blame all our character flaws on " bad brain

chemistry. " At least that's what the authors of this book would have you

believe. Can you choose to stop being abusive to your wife? Naw, this book

says. You were just born to abuse. Take a little Prozac, instead. That's

the only way to cure the " bad biology " that makes you so angry. In this

book of what you might call " speculative philosophy, " the authors make up a

number of ways you could be secretly crazy, from being " a whiz at math but

clueless when it comes to people " (mild autism) to my personal favorite:

having too much " vitality and vision " (hypomania).

They've given Americans a new excuse to avoid responsibility when their

lives aren't working: my biology made me do it. But, in the end, the book

sends a very despairing message: You're not in control of your own life.

You have some mysterious brain chemistry that's really running the show and

directing what you only imagine to be your free will. If you're desperate

to find a way to escape all responsibility for your life, buy this book and

take a few pills to adjust your bad biology (the pharmaceutical companies

will love you). If you want to take charge of your problems and do

something meaningful for yourself and mankind, don't waste your

money.

1 of 11 people found this

review helpful.

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Based on the Idea We're All Crazy Reviewer: A reader from New York City

May 3, 1999

A nonsensical book based on the notion that your brain makes you crazy, and

there's not a darned thing you can do about it. What really surprised me

was that the syndromes described are so elusive and based on almost no

research. There's a lot that's " shadowy " about this book--mostly the

obscure writing and even more obscure premise. Skip it.

0 of 4 people found this review helpful.

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I read about this book on the OCD-L and found it interesting, definitely

written for the lay audience. Hope this info helps. Take care, aloha, Kathy

you wrote:

>From: Masoud & Lesli Molaei <desk@...>

>

>

>

>Hi Kathy H.,

>

>In a recent post you mentioned shadow syndrome. I know you have

>discussed this before on the list, but could you refresh my memory? How

>were you diagnosed? I also recall some relevant literature.

>

>Thanks a bunch,

>Lesli (S.F. Bay)