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.

Angele McGrady received her B.S. from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, her Masters in Physiology from Michigan State University, and her Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Toledo. Later she returned to complete a Masters in Guidance and Counseling. She is a licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and is certified by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America. Currently Dr. McGrady is a professor and Director of Medical Education in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toledo. Dr. McGrady's professional activities include: Past President of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback and Associate Editor of the international (Springer) journal Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. Dr. McGrady lectures locally and nationally on topics related to stress and chronic illness, and biofeedback. In 1997, she was honored with the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence. Recently, she developed a wellness series for first year medical students. The project is funded by the David and Lura Lovell Foundation and is now in its second year. Her curriculum vita lists 55 publications and eleven book chapters. She has co-edited one book, Handbook of Mind-Body Medicine for Primary Care (Sage, 2003). In March 2000, Dr. McGrady received the Distinguished Scientist Award from the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.

Donald Moss, Ph.D. is the Director of Integrative Health Studies at Saybrook Graduate School in San Francisco, and is a partner in the Psychological Services Center in Grand Haven Michigan. He is Editor of the Biofeedback Magazine, Associate Editor for the journal Applied Psychohysiology and Biofeedback and consulting Editor for the Journal of Neurotherapy, Psychophysiology Today and the Journal of Phenomenological Psychology. Dr. Moss has over 50 publications in the fields of psychophysiology, biofeedback and mind-body therapies, including an edited book (Handbook of Mind Body Medicine for Primary Care, Sage, 2003). He has given lectures and workshops on these topics throughout the world, including recent presentations at the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and the Biofeedback Foundation of Europe. He is also past president of AAPB.