- Excerpt
"An Introduction to Integrative Psychiatry"
an
excerpt from the new book
MEDICINE, MIND AND MEANING
by Eve A. Wood, MD
Published by In One Press LLC,
and reprinted here with permission.
INTRODUCTION
This excerpt, below, concerns the extraordinary case
of "Gillie," a
patient suffering from multiple personality disorder. At one point in
their 14-year relationship, Gillie attempts suicide in the hallway outside
Dr. Wood's office. It is an incredible story and led former U.S. Surgeon
General, C. Everett Koop, to say, "I
have seldom been so moved by a book. This is the only healing model that
makes sense."
Dr. Wood is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
at the University of Arizona Program in Integrative Medicine. Founded
by Andrew Weil, the Program has earned an international reputation in
integrative and complementary medicine. "Medicine, Mind and Meaning" attempts
to bring the alternative care movement into psychiatry by integrating
physical, psychological, and spiritual healing for patients suffering
with psychiatric disorders.
This book will be welcome by anyone diagnosed with
ADD, ADHD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse problems,
sleep disorders, or post-traumatic stress -- as well as their friends,
families, caretakers, and loved ones. More information about the book,
MEDICINE, MIND AND MEANING, and author Eve A. Wood, MD, follows the excerpt.
"An Introduction to Integrative Psychiatry"
by Eve A. Wood, MD
Each one of us has a story that is its own beautiful
tale and we can learn a great deal when we choose to share our stories
with one another.
Because of this, I have chosen to share my patients' stories and experiences
in this book. I have learned that without focusing upon the *human* element
of the healing endeavor, theoretical concepts are useless. Whether you
are a practicing physician, a patient, or someone simply looking for
guidance, you, too, can learn as you identify with my patients. You will
see parts of yourself in their stories; and as you empathize with them,
you will be supported in your own journey towards health.
When I decided to write this book, I knew I had
to share the most powerful, moving, intense, long-term, and amazing
story of healing that I have personally experienced. It is the story
of Gillie, who became my patient fourteen years ago. When Gillie and
I met, she was one of the most shattered people I had ever seen --
and yet, as time went on, Gillie proved to be far more emotionally
distressed than I had previously imagined. She had been diagnosed with
multiple personality disorder, or dissociative identity disorder. Those
of you who know the books "The Three Faces
of Eve" and "Sybil" can appreciate what this diagnosis
involves. After decades of psychiatric treatment and multiple psychiatric
hospitalizations for serious suicide attempts, suffering from a pervasive
inability to stay present in her own skin, and an absolute aversion to
sharing her internal world with anyone, Gillie asked me to help her.
The story has a powerful lesson: the determination to heal can pay off.
Gillie now enjoys sound emotional and mental health. She no longer has
dissociative identity disorder, and she is one of the most impressive
people I have ever known.
Within Gillie's story there is another tale to tell. It is my story;
I want to share that with you as well, to show you how my relationship
with Gillie taught me profound lessons about the art of psychiatry and
the wonder of healing. Gillie and I began our relationship at the same
time as I began my psychiatric practice, and I learned from her just
as she was able to learn from me. This remarkable woman forced me to
reach down to the bottom of my soul to find a way to help her. In doing
so, she taught me to be resolute in the fact of amazing challenges, patient
and hopeful in the face of continued despair, and dogged in my belief
that, if she would let me into the deepest recesses of her internal world
and allow me to guide her, I would be able to help her. I couldn't just
*hope* that I would be able to help Gillie; I had to *believe* I could.
I had to trust that I could help her move from a place of obsession with
self-destruction and distrust, to a place of fulfillment, joy, and love.
Gillie's story is the ultimate demonstration of the power of faith in
healing. For although I took advantage of every medical teaching and
therapeutic technique I had ever learned in my attempt to help her heal,
her cure would have been impossible had I left love, unity, empathy,
and hope out of her treatment.
My work with Gillie led me to trust what *feels* natural. I had to quiet
the rational side of myself, and draw on my inner-wisdom, capacity for
empathy, ability to love, and faith that I would be given answers. I
needed to become Gillie's guide through the labyrinth, and be her model
of a happy, integrated, and reliable woman.
Through my work with Gillie, I learned to integrate medicine, mindset,
and the spiritual realm. I came to trust in the unconventional in my
clinical work. I now know that in order to help my patients heal themselves,
I must go beyond my medical training. I employ a body-mind-spirit approach
that I have chosen to represent with the three-legged stool in this book.
My goal in the coming pages is to show you that when it comes to healing
broken psyches, we cannot separate body, mind, and spirit from one another.
These elements depend upon one another just as the tides depend upon
the moon, and the earth depends upon the sun.
Copyright (c) 2005. All Rights
Reserved. Please feel free to duplicate and distribute this file, as
long as the excerpt is not altered and this copyright notice is intact.
Thank you.
