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CHOICE Review

In this perceptive book, Barsky, a psychiatrist currently practicing at Massachusetts General Hospital, focuses on the psychological perceptions and coping mechanisms of people with medical ailments, both minor and serious. The book's ten chapters fall into three sections: how people perceive their bodies and think about their health as individuals; how society defines and perceives health; and how individuals can optimize their feelings of good health in their efforts to evade disease and cure illness. Barsky contends that symptoms are not necessarily indicators of illness; that the mediating factors which determine how "symptoms" are perceived may include age, isolation, introspection, self-awareness, and feelings of loss of control. He also discusses the sick role as a solution to problems; the cultural tendency to somatize; and the effect of language and culturally descriptive terms on perceptions of illness. About halfway through the book, Barsky discusses the concept of health as an end rather than as a means to an end. From this perspective he develops the concept of medicalization that includes prevention and the implementation of the disease model to cover conditions such as addiction, violence, aging, emotional distress, and even physical appearance. The author then considers the paradox that the more one pursues health the more one undermines feelings of well-being. Barsky concludes with insights into the possibility of balancing perceptions and experiences in order to forge strength and growth out of illness. Academic and public library collections. -D. J. Douglas, University of Wisconsin--Madison

Booklist Review

America is a society in pursuit of health and medical care. In spite of our standing as a remarkably healthy society, there is a pervasive cultural atmosphere of ``dis-ease.'' Barsky, drawing from his years of experience as a psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains why we feel sick, how we perceive our symptoms, and how these concerns sometimes lead to hypochondriasis. He also discusses how concerns about health and wellness and the ``medicalization'' of society have affected daily life, with strategies offered for placing health into the proper perspective. Extensive bibliography; to be indexed. KG. 613'.01 Health behavior-U.S. / Sick-U.S.-Psychology [OCLC] 87-32508