7 Books for Hope and Inspiration While Living with Psoriasis
Living with a chronic, visible illness such as psoriasis can take a toll on both your physical health and your mental well‑being. Thankfully, the following books provide both information and inspiration to help you better manage your condition while prioritizing your emotional health. Here are our top psoriasis book picks.
1. Sunbathing Naked and Other Miracle Cures: A Memoir
By Guy Kennaway
Sometimes, laughter is the best medicine. In this book, author Guy Kennaway shares his relatable experiences of living with psoriasis with a touch of humor that people who also have the condition can understand. This is a must-read if you need to be reminded that you’re not alone in the lengths you’re willing to go to find what works for your psoriasis. ($28.72 at Amazon.com)
2. Handbook of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
By Richard Warren, M.B.Ch.B., M.R.C.P., Ph.D., and Alan Menter, M.D.
This book is a valuable educational resource for people who are newly diagnosed with the condition and looking to learn everything they can—from disease overview, to diagnosis, to current and emerging treatment options, to how these conditions can affect your day-to-day life. The authors, who both have extensive backgrounds in psoriasis research and awareness efforts, technically put this guide together for professional use, but did so in an accessible way, making it easy for patients to digest, as well. ($59.99 at Springer.com)
3. Life, Disrupted: Getting Real About Chronic Illness in Your Twenties and Thirties
By Laurie Edwards
This pick is chock-full of inspiration and empowerment. Journalist and award-winning blogger Laurie Edwards—who is living with a chronic illness—offers her two cents on prioritizing your health while facing “normal” challenges like attending school, choosing a career path, nurturing your relationships, and starting a family. Along with her personal anecdotes, she also includes advice from healthcare professionals, life coaches, and employment specialists that can apply to life beyond your twenties and thirties. ($9.04 at Amazon.com)
4. Chronic Resilience: 10 Sanity-Saving Strategies for Women Coping with the Stress of Illness
By Danea Horn
Though not specifically about psoriasis, this book offers some insight on how to navigate your health—and your life—when you feel like you’re not in control. Written by certified life coach Danea Horn, who has multiple chronic health issues herself, this book weaves Horn’s personal experiences together with those of others living with chronic conditions, ranging from cancer to various types of autoimmune diseases, with the goal of helping to ease the burden that is chronic illness. This book offers life advice that’s applicable to both men and women living with psoriasis. ($14.59 at Target.com)
5. The Autoimmune Solution: Prevent and Reverse the Full Spectrum of Inflammatory Symptoms and Diseases
By Amy Myers, M.D.
In this New York Times bestseller, Amy Myers, M.D., outlines her approach for going beyond treating chronic illness to removing exposure to toxins—both environmental and from food sources—and focusing on the right nutrients to help manage an autoimmune condition such as psoriasis. Myers also released a corresponding cookbook that has more than 150 recipes aligned with her approach. Remember: It’s important to talk to your doctor before starting a diet plan or taking any supplements. ($29.99 at HarperCollins.com)
6. Invisible: How Young Women with Serious Health Issues Navigate Work, Relationships, and the Pressure to Seem Just Fine
By Michele Lent Hirsch
When young women face serious health issues, it can impact many aspects of their lives, from careers to relationships, even their sense of self. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. That’s what author Michele Lent Hirsch came to realize when writing this book, which incorporates her own experiences with stories from other women who have dealt with health issues, as well as expert advice from sociologists to neuroscientists. As a result, this book helps shine a light on the unique challenges women face when it comes to their health and well‑being. Reading this book will leave you with a feeling of empowerment. ($18.00 at Bookshop.org)
7. Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative
By John O. A. Pagano, D.C.
If you do a Google search for books about psoriasis, this book is the top hit. John O. A. Pagano, D.C., treated psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients for 50 years, and his treatment philosophy goes beyond traditional medication options to treat psoriasis from the inside out. Pagano’s book details his natural approach and how it has helped many of his psoriasis patients—and even includes before and after pictures. If you’re interested, you can also nab Pagano’s corresponding cookbook. Just be sure to talk to your doctor first if you’re considering implementing any of this advice into your own psoriasis care. ($19.99 at BarnesandNoble.com)