Saturday, December 20, 2008

Addiction and Grace or Children with Starving Brains

Addiction and Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions

Author: Gerald G May

Addiction and Grace offers an inspiring and hope–filled vision for those who desire to explore the mystery of who and what they really are. May examines the "processes of attachment" that lead to addiction and describes the relationship between addiction and spiritual awareness. He also details the various addictions from which we can suffer, not only to substances like alcohol and drugs, but to work, sex, performance, responsibility, and intimacy.

Drawing on his experience as a psychiatrist working with the chemically dependent, May emphasizes that addiction represents an attempt to assert complete control over our lives. Addiction and Grace is a compassionate and wise treatment of a topic of major concern in these most addictive of times, one that can provide a critical yet hopeful guide to a place of freedom based on contemplative spirituality.

Library Journal

The deepest human longing, suggests the author of Will and Spirit ( LJ 2/1/83)a psychiatrist and spiritual directoris to be in loving relationship with God and others, but our freedom to do so is compromised by a multitude of addictions (to security or fame, for instance, as well as to drugs) that ``use up'' desire. Exploring psychological, neurological, and theological aspects of the addictive process, and their roles of mercy, grace, and will in breaking through to discernment and a consecrated life, May gently but clearly guides readers from attachment to non attachmentor freedom. Extremely well done. EC



Children with Starving Brains: A Medical Treatment Guide for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Author: Jaquelyn McCandless

In the midst of a worldwide epidemic of autism, ADD, and ADHD, this book is a message of hope to parents embarking on the challenging journey of finding proper medical care for their Autism Spectrum Disorder children. Genetic susceptibility activated by "triggers" such as pesticides and heavy metals in vaccines can lead to immune system impairment, gut dysfunction, and pathogen invasion such as yeast and viruses in many children. This is the first book written by an experienced clinician that gives a step-by-step treatment guide for parents and doctors based on the understanding that ASD is a complex biomedical illness resulting in significant brain malnutrition. Dr. McCandless, whose grandchild with autism has inspired her "broad spectrum approach," describes important diagnostic tools needed to select appropriate treatment programs. Her book explains major therapies newly available and identifies safe and effective options for parents and physicians working together to improve the health of these special children.

Author Biography: Jacquelyn McCandless received her M.D. from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and is certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Since the early 1990s, her interest in women's issues and sexuality has led to an alternative medicine practice with a focus on anti-aging, brain nutrition, and natural hormone therapy. In 1996, after her granddaughter was diagnosed with autism, she returned even more to basic medicine and began working with biomedical aspects of developmentally delayed children. She now utilizes the knowledge she gained searching for treatments for her grandchild to help other ASD children.



No comments:

Post a Comment