Dr. Mercola's Comments: My passion is to transform the traditional medical system in this country. I have started the process by providing the foundational information of the newsletter for the past four years. The next step will be to further improve this website by making it interactive. I also hope to help you to identify qualified health care professionals who can guide you through the individualized details of the healing process. It is clear that a support structure would also help the process. So a third step could be to provide you with an opportunity to talk to others like you who are interested in natural healing and who share the same medical concerns. I am considering starting the first nationwide network of alternative medicine self- help support groups. I have identified Dr. Andrea Zojourner, a clinical psychologist, to help coordinate this project. We hope to disclose the details of these support groups in the near future. In the meantime, we will whet your appetite with some literature as to the value and purpose of support groups. Many individuals who have an illness, addiction, disability, loss or other disruptive life event often seek out support groups to order to be able to meet with those who have been "in the same boat." Support groups provide opportunities to learn about the expectations, coping skills, available resources, options and successes others have had in facing the same challenge. How Groups Help Normalization: For many people, the experience of illness or disability or trauma results in isolation and alienation When support group members meet with others who share the same condition, they are often comforted by knowing their experiences and feelings are not unusual. Alternatives: As support group members share experiences and information, literature and problem-solving skills, they are exposed to a range of coping strategies and options for dealing with their individual situation. Helper Therapy: Groups turn what society considers a liability ( ie a person with an illness) into an asset -- that person's unique ability to provide understanding and help to others. Those who help others help themselves (Reissman,1965) in terms of an increased sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Empowerment: When support group members hear how others have taken responsibility for their health and recovery that encourages members to take responsibility to educate themselves, become self reliant, change their lifestyles and support others. Health-Related Benefits of Social Support In one of the increasing number of studies showing the health- related benefits of social support, Duke University researchers who examined the value of social support to the life expectancy of cardiac patients concluded: ""a support group may be as effective as costly medical treatment. Simply put, having someone to talk to is very powerful medicine " (Brody,1992) Self Help Groups: Options For Support, Education And Advocacy by Edward Madera, Director, American Self Help Clearinghouse in Psychiatric Nursing: An Integration of Theory and Practice Chapter Eight pp 171-188.
My passion is to transform the traditional medical system in this country. I have started the process by providing the foundational information of the newsletter for the past four years.
The next step will be to further improve this website by making it interactive. I also hope to help you to identify qualified health care professionals who can guide you through the individualized details of the healing process.
It is clear that a support structure would also help the process. So a third step could be to provide you with an opportunity to talk to others like you who are interested in natural healing and who share the same medical concerns. I am considering starting the first nationwide network of alternative medicine self- help support groups.
I have identified Dr. Andrea Zojourner, a clinical psychologist, to help coordinate this project. We hope to disclose the details of these support groups in the near future. In the meantime, we will whet your appetite with some literature as to the value and purpose of support groups.
Many individuals who have an illness, addiction, disability, loss or other disruptive life event often seek out support groups to order to be able to meet with those who have been "in the same boat." Support groups provide opportunities to learn about the expectations, coping skills, available resources, options and successes others have had in facing the same challenge.
How Groups Help Normalization: For many people, the experience of illness or disability or trauma results in isolation and alienation When support group members meet with others who share the same condition, they are often comforted by knowing their experiences and feelings are not unusual. Alternatives: As support group members share experiences and information, literature and problem-solving skills, they are exposed to a range of coping strategies and options for dealing with their individual situation. Helper Therapy: Groups turn what society considers a liability ( ie a person with an illness) into an asset -- that person's unique ability to provide understanding and help to others. Those who help others help themselves (Reissman,1965) in terms of an increased sense of self-worth and self-esteem.
Empowerment: When support group members hear how others have taken responsibility for their health and recovery that encourages members to take responsibility to educate themselves, become self reliant, change their lifestyles and support others. Health-Related Benefits of Social Support In one of the increasing number of studies showing the health- related benefits of social support, Duke University researchers who examined the value of social support to the life expectancy of cardiac patients concluded: ""a support group may be as effective as costly medical treatment. Simply put, having someone to talk to is very powerful medicine " (Brody,1992) Self Help Groups: Options For Support, Education And Advocacy by Edward Madera, Director, American Self Help Clearinghouse in Psychiatric Nursing: An Integration of Theory and Practice Chapter Eight pp 171-188.
© Copyright 2008 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If possible, I would also appreciate an endorsement and encouragement to subscribe to the newsletter. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required. Manufactured from 100% recycled electrons.
Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
