This is a fast easy read with some good moments.
I liked that the book really reminded the reader that chronic illness is not easy.
But i didn't like how the author gave advice. Sure she might be a fellow chronic illness sufferer but don't tell anyone to do something if you don't know what they are going through. You can't mass-market chronic illnesses! Thats not okay and completely unhelpful! Its already too hard to make it clear to everyone that every one suffers differently and while it might help one person with the apparent same illness the next person might not get anything from that treatment or medication. So having someone broadly talk about things she really should talk about just because she might have some experience on herself with it or not even that? No thank you.

Its also a little funny how she gives "advice" in a way that is not as easy to follow if you don't fit into her social class. Its pretty clear that this woman is not scraping by. So if you don't have extra cash just laying around - which if you do as a chronic illness sufferer write that book on how you did that, please?- this book is pretty unhelpful

All in all? Not the best. It has some nice talk in especially the beginning.
But all in all its not really helpful for most people i think.

If you've been sick for years you probably won't find much new information in Surviving and Thriving with an Invisible Chronic Illness. However, it does contain good, basic information and I would recommend it to those who are just starting to come to terms with dealing with a chronic illness (invisible or otherwise).

*I received a free copy through Netgalley, but the review is my own opinion.*

Gives good advice but ultimately wasn't a good fit for my blog. I did leave a brief review on Goodreads and/or Amazon but did not do a full blog review. (this is why I am is late submitting this here)

It's time to step up my shelf with a non-fiction book. Surviving & Thriving with an Invisible Chronic Illness by Ilana Jacqueline is the first non-fiction book that I've finished.  Ever. It was a short book and very concise but I wanted to take my time in reading it because of the helpful information it contained and that I found those information to be fragile and needs to be given more attention. There are a lot of things to learn from Jacqueline's book and believe me when I say that it will be worth your time if you choose to read this book.


Book Preview

Diagnosed with a chronic illness, Ilana Jacqueline reaches out a hand to people who goes through long-term diseases and/or disorders through her book. Full of much-needed advise and counsel, in collaboration with experts she interviewed, this book truly lets you feel that you aren't alone in what you're going through and there will always be people ready to reach out and pull you out of the dark. Jacqueline's book talks about self-help and how to handle challenging situations. And most of all, it tells you to not only survive but actually live as a happy person, because with or without chronic illness, you deserve to live a fulfilling life.

What I Think

I like to think that reading Surviving & Thriving with an Invisible Chronic Illness will give me a new perspective on things that are really happening in today's society, especially when it comes to the healthcare industry. As someone who's journeying through the medical field, I yearn to be more empathetic and it's something I still struggle with, resulting to a failure in understanding the people I'm surrounded with, especially when it's about something sensitive. So having the chance to see things from the eyes of someone going through chronic illness, I felt enlightened and it gave me an idea on how I can make better assessment of how a person is doing.

Jacqueline's book is filled with empowerment and motivational messages that will surely bring light to those who need it. A book that absolutely encourages you to take a leap, have faith in yourself. Not only is the book helpful for patients with chronic illness but also to medical practitioners who can better understand what their patient feels and needs.

I do have a chronic illness, unfortunately, andI found this very insightful. Practical suggestions to be used as you see fit.

Surviving and Thriving with an Invisible Chronic Illness: How to Stay Sane and Live One Step Ahead of Your Symptoms by Ilana Jacqueline

Brief Summary: This book serves as a How To Guidebook for living with an invisible disability or chronic illness. There is incredibly limited information on living with invisible disability despite the fact that 10% of Americans live with Invisible Disability. As a rehabilitation psychologist, I was eager to read this very important and vital work.

Highlights: the section on sexuality is excellent, finding a peer mentor is huge, and knowledge about the Americans With Disabilities Act is vital. The book includes a list of questions to review when one is considering whether to disclose an invisible disability.

Explanation of Rating: 4/5 I haven’t seen all the information presented in this book compiled anywhere else. This is a very comprehensive volume that is an incredible resource for both seasoned veterans and those who are newly diagnosed. I will certainly recommend it for both patients and fellow professionals.

Favorite Quotes: “be the reaction you want to get from others” This quote is applicable to a wide variety of issues not just invisible disability. But it is absolutely essential for an individual with chronic illness to set the tone from the beginning at disclosure of how they want others to perceive their disability.

Thank you to Net Galley and the New Harbinger Publications for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

This is a very good book for all of us with chronic illness to read. We normally traverse life alone without anyone that understands. After a new Fibromylegia diagnosis I have been struggling to find good reading material that is helpful and informative. This is the perfect read for all of us that are suffering .
It is a definitive guide to dealing with chronic illness. The author has simplified the most basic needs of patients and leads the reader through communication with others, how to talk to your doctors, applying for benefits and living a full life in spite of our illness. it is a wealth of information and advice.
I found this book after being ridiculed in public by a Safeway clerk and was not wanting to leave my house. The author offers tremendous help in communicating with others about your illness. I highly recommend this book for everyone with any invisible or chronic illness. It is well researched, very inspiring and useful on a daily basis. I will be buying a hard copy to keep and highlight. I appreciate the author's inspiring words and how positive her mindset is about dealing with chronic illness.
Thank you with gratitude to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC. My opinions are my own. I highly recommend this book for everyone dealing with any kind of chronic illness.

This book has a lot of very helpful ideas of how to cope with a chronic illness. I found it well set out with clear ideax and suggestions that bog h the author and others had found useful. The sections on who to contact where not useful as they were not Australian but did give ideas for starting points. The book was easy to read and understand and did make me feel dumb about things I had or had not done as a person with a chronic illness.

Well written, very informative and knowledgeable about how to survive with a chronic illness. I will definitely be using some of the information I found out. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.

A fantastic and so informative book, making you feel less alone, providing lots of tips and ideas along the way. I would recommend this to anyone suffering, or who knows someone who's suffering, from a chronic illness.

This book seemingly fell into my lap at exactly the right time. I liked that it was relatively short, because of the difficultly I've had concentrating recently. I was a little disappointed that it did not offer more advice specific to fibromyalgia (though I'm just finding out that may have been a misdiagnosis), but I thought overall it offered good advice for anyone suffering from an invisible chronic illness, no matter what specific illness it may be. I thought the section on applying for Social Security Disability left a lot to be desired. It did not seem well researched and gave what I felt was incorrect information. I know sorting through the confusion of what one might qualify for (SSDI vs. SSI) is complicated though, so I have tried cutting the author some slack. I also didn't like the author's "get over it!" attitude toward most things. Though tough love might work with some people, others need a more gentle approach. (Can you tell which one I am?) Overall though, I thought this was a great little book packed full of useful information and would highly recommend it.

I didn't really find this book useful. I have chronic illness however I gave it 3 stars because I know some of this would help others. This is just not something that would help me personally.

The author of this book lives with multiple chronic conditions and writes the Let's Feel Better blog. It would be a great resource for a young person just starting their journey with a chronic illness, but it also has things to offer for those of us who aren't new to the chronic life. You will find this a well-written and well put together book with resources, ideas, inspiration, and facts about living with chronic illness, the diagnosis process, disability, working or going to school with chronic illness, living alone with chronic illness, and so much more. There is a lot to chew on here, and I was impressed with Ilana Jacqueline's achievement. 4.5 stars.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book is exactly what those of us who suffer from an "invisible illness" have been looking for. It's so amazing to know that someone out there gets it and understands the issues that can come from having an illness that no one can see.

There is information here covering relationships as well as work and school situations and dealing with people from loved ones to strangers. This book is a great read for those with an illness and those who want to understand.

This was an absolutely amazing book! This story was a magnificent work of art!!! I was completely blown away with how much this story hit home! It's like the author knew everything that I needed to hear with my chronic invisible illnesses! As a person that battles fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, severe mental health issues and much more, I wake up crying in pain most days and am stuck in my bed from the inability to even walk at the age 29. I feel like giving up most days. I have lost many friends and many family members don't talk to me because of all of my problems but like the author I found solstice in blogging and other things. The author describes things that people go through perfectly! I literally highlighted 4/5s of this book because of how amazing it was! I also added so many notes that it was unbelievable!!! I found hope within the pages of this book. I guarantee you that this story is first class and I recommend it to anyone suffering any kind of invisible illness or any family of those who suffer! Hands down a five star read that I will buy for my family and friends, recommend to my manager at the bookstore I work at and will recommend to the blogosphere! I can't wait to see what this author comes out with next!!!! Just, WOW!

Being a person with numerous autoimmune diseases and having read many books on this topic, I was ecstatic before finishing the first chapter. Why? Because I could tell the author really knew and understood how to communicate to the average lay person while so many other books were based on medical and/or scientific research. I am also involved in many different autoimmune support groups and will be recommending this book to them all! All I can add is... eureka! Finally someone who gets it.

I enjoyed quite a bit of this book, being someone who was diagnosed with an invisible chronic illness (scleroderma) almost exactly a year ago. A lot of the content was not new to me, but there was some great advice on relationships, maintaining friendships, and being an advocate for yourself. It was helpful in validating some of my feelings, but also encouraged to think positively of my situation. I would recommend it to those who are struggling with this kind of illness.

The author of this book gave insight into her daily life living with not one, but two chronic illnesses. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she has made it a priority to educate others on what life is like living with illness.

I found this book to be an informative and inspiring read for someone like me who suffers with invisible chronic illness like Chronic Pain. I'm so glad to have gotten the chance to review it and have been left with many new coping strategies from reading it.

I am so grateful for this book (and other books like this) for not only having practical ideas for coping strategies but also for being a great moral support. I have been dealing with several invisible illnesses for more than 20 years. It is very difficult for people to understand how painful and demoralizing it is to live this way. Needless to say, I appreciate this book tremendously. It is well-written and contains many helpful suggestions. I would give it 6 stars if it was possible.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.