Rock Steady guides the reader through a change in attitude towards chronic tinnitus or imbalance. The premise is that changes in the human body are an inevitable part of life, through trauma, ageing and illness. These changes can produce sensations that are unpleasant or intrusive. The book takes a fresh approach to rehabilitation, promoting the ability of the brain to adapt around altered inputs (as opposed to seeking to alter the inputs themselves).
Rock Steady is ideal for patients who find themselves caught up in a quest for answers or feel frustrated that their medical pathway has ended without a cure. It is equally of interest to clinicians who want to offer their patients a route forward beyond simply coping with their symptoms. Even people who are well versed in the psychological aspects of chronic illness will gain some insight from the many case studies.
The language is feel-good, empowering and uses some handy catchphrases, which will hit the nail on the head if you identify with them. I usually tell people to watch Joey on YouTube to see if they connect with her terminology before buying the book.
I recommend Rock Steady to certain patient groups; I have in mind that the detail and repetition makes it well suited to patients who ask lots of questions. Also, the methods recommended require trust and perseverance, so they need to have strong feelings about their symptoms and be ready to commit to taking a new approach.
Fortunately, Rock Steady is priced for the self-help market rather than as a medical textbook, and is also available as an audiobook. For patients who respond well to it, it offers such excellent value, I would happily offer it on prescription.
