You Don’t Look Sick: Living Well with Invisible Chronic Illness

I just finished reading the book, You Don’t Look Sick: Living Well with Invisible Chronic Illness by Joy H. Selak and Steven S. Overman, MD, MPH.

It is a true story about a woman, Joy, who goes through many experiences with her illness.  The experiences include becoming sick, searching for a correct diagnosis, realizing that her life is different now, learning to live with the illness and learning to live well.  Through the process, Joy learns how other people perceive individuals with invisible chronic illness and how to deal with it.  She also chronicles the difficulties encountered with medical and disability insurance companies and how she handled it.

It is difficult to live with an invisible chronic illness, not just for those that have it, but for those that are around the chronically ill as well.  There are many experiences in this book to identify with and learn from.  In addition, Joy’s doctor, Steven S. Overman, MD, MPH, provides his knowledge and perspective throughout the book which is helpful.

Having arthritis for many years now (since I was a child), I found that I could easily identify with Joy even though our situations were different.  I learned from some of Joy’s experiences and was reminded about some of life’s lessons as well.  I am very thankful I read this book.

This is a good book for those recently diagnosed with a chronic illness or for those who have been living with a chronic illness.  At about 145 pages, this book is a quick and easy read too.