THE JOURNAL OF ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINEVolume 12, Number 1, 2006, pp. 91–92© Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Medicine, Mind and Meaning

EVE A. WOOD

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Tucson, AZ: In One Press, 2004, 347 pages; ISBN 0-9741083-0-8, $21.95

The front cover describes the publication as: “A psychi-atrist’s guide to treating the body, mind, and spirit.” As

a psychiatrist, therefore, I was unsure whether the guidancewas aimed at psychiatrists or for people wanting a psychi-atrist’s perspective. It soon becomes apparent that this bookseeks to inform the lay person of a “body-mind-spirit” ap-proach to psychiatry, the insights of which can be harnessedto promote recovery or enhance self-discovery. Dr. Woodillustrates her approach through the use of case stories, the-ory, and her own experiences.

Dr. Wood envisages her psychiatric practice as akin to a“three-legged stool”; one that requires all its legs intact forit to stand. The legs are represented by three domains: body,mind, and soul. An extensive case story of “Gillie,” a pa-tient with dissociative identity disorder, is used to illustratethis model.

According to the model, Gillie’s “body leg” includes hervulnerable temperament and a biologic predisposition to de-pression; her “mind leg” encompasses how some past(parental) relationships and difficult experiences have in-stilled a set of automatic thoughts that influence her outlookand behavior negatively; her “spirit leg” includes Gillie’sfeelings of isolation and abandonment. As well as assess-ment, the “three-legged stool” model also can be appliedwhen it comes to treatment. The body leg includes educat-ing Gillie on her illness and the use of psychotropic med-ication; the mind leg encompasses psychotherapy; and thespirit leg embraces Gillie’s inherent generous soul and aimsto link it meaningfully with a wider community.

Each of the three legs is elaborated further in forthcom-ing chapters, using several case vignettes for illustration.Each vignette is concluded by short passages on “lessonslearned” and “take home points,” and a smattering of self-help mantras encourage the reader throughout. The book con-cludes with a selection of writings from patients who de-

scribe how Dr. Wood has helped revolutionize their life jour-neys. Finally, an appendix lists several psychiatric condi-tions, listing their respective symptoms (using the standardpsychiatric manual: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual forMental Disorders IV [DSM-IV])1 and treatment options, aswell as providing details of useful U.S.-based support groups.

What makes this book stand out from the melée of self-help literature is the simultaneous emphasis on all three do-mains of body, mind, and spirit. Until the body leg is sortedout, namely by acknowledging one’s condition, diagnosis,or personality, then the other legs cannot effectively supportthe stool of healing. This point is reiterated throughout thebook, and the appendix is a valuable tool to enable the readerto achieve insight into his or her condition. Dr. Wood’s useof the Serenity prayer: “God grant me the serenity to acceptthe things I cannot change, the courage to change the thingsI can, and the wisdom to know the difference” is a pertinentand powerful message.

The author seamlessly and adeptly couples DSM-IV di-agnostics with psychologic insights and spiritual discourses,thereby providing the reader with a complete holistic modelof mental health and illness. Furthermore, although Dr.Wood describes the significance of her own Jewish back-ground and the reliance of intuition in her own life’s jour-ney, her description of spirituality is refreshingly inclusiveand open.

The book’s informal easy-to-read prose and oft-repeatedmessages firmly place it as an accessible, and sometimes in-spirational, guide for those seeking advice. However, gen-erous smatterings of well-worn clichés (“Where there is awill, there is a way,” “The longest journey begins with asingle step”. . . . ), a verbose meandering writing style, andfrequent flirtation with “schmaltz” may make the book lessattractive for professionals. Moreover, the case histories, al-though illustrative, are not as deep or revealing as those inother (e.g., Irving Yalom’s) popular psychology books.

Also, despite suggestions to the contrary, Dr. Wood’stherapeutic model is not all that revolutionary; in my expe-

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rience, psychiatric training and practice is influenced by aBio-psycho-social approach that is not that dissimilar fromthe “three-legged stool,” although admittedly not everyone’sapproach is as holistic as Dr. Wood’s. She puts particularemphasis on the spiritual, which can be underestimated inpsychiatry.

One striking aspect is that Dr. Wood’s book is full of Dr.Wood. Some readers may find solace in the author’s expe-riences and inspiration in her heartfelt messages. However,several less relevant digressions into autobiography appearindulgent, and references to Dr. Wood’s expertise (“[Dr.Wood] is one hundred times less scary to talk to than [an-other doctor]),” particularly the selection of her own pa-tient’s writings that, at times, descends into eulogy, canmake uncomfortable reading.

That said, I am British, and perhaps lean toward a moreunderstated style. Others, therefore, may be more forgivingof the author’s self-indulgence. And, in fact, Dr. Woodopenly acknowledges her own difficulty when her trainingdemanded that “to share myself was. . .destructive to thetherapeutic process.” Dr. Wood not only wears her heart onher sleeve, but she sees this as integral to the therapeuticprocess. Although this may seemingly contravene someschools of psychotherapy, the author’s approach, augmented

by her own verve and integrity, comes across as refreshingand commendable.

Ultimately, for the reader seeking a self-help guide, thebook provides a sound holistic approach that is accessible,helpful and, at times, inspiring. As such, a mental healthpractitioner should have no qualms about recommendingMedicine, Mind and Meaning to his or her clients. I knowI will.

REFERENCE

1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and StatisticalManual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM-IV). Washington,DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1994.

Address reprint requests to:Aaron K. Vallance, M.A., M.B.B.S., M.R.C.Psych.

63 Heyford AvenueVauxhall

London, SW8 1EBUnited Kingdom

E-mail: aaronvallance@doctors.org.uk

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