REVISED AND EXPANDED EDITION, 1992
How has the picture changed in the six years since the first edition? On the downside,
the problems are as stubborn as ever – an itch is still an itch ... as time goes by. The
rest of the story, however, is quite positive. Most of the new information in this
edition is genuine good news.
Six years ago, I had already seen evidence in my office and heard from many
colleagues that these Skin Deep techniques could be dramatically successful even
with problems that had endured for decades, but could anyone produce concrete
results sitting down with a book? The many calls and letters that I have gotten
strongly indicate that at least some people can do it. How does the success rate of the
do-it-yourself version compare with the professionally assisted approach? No data,
as many people start with the book and then go on to combine the two approaches.
Both professionals and laypeople are responding more and more warmly to
mind/body approaches. Research has documented the effectiveness of many of the
techniques. Psychoneuroimmunologists continue to explore the role of personality,
thoughts, feelings, and relationships in health and disease. Studies now often do not only
document a link between, say, good relationships or hostility and resistance or
susceptibility to disease; specific related changes in immune system functioning, such as
helper T-cell or natural killer cell activity, document the probable mechanism.
Are different problems sending people to my door or to this book? Eczema,
warts, herpes, acne, and hives remain the ''big five," but they are now joined by the
most rapidly growing part of my practice: psoriasis, a chronic skin disease
characterized by circumscribed red patches covered with white scales. The National
Psoriasis Foundation (see Appendix IV) has been a helpful source of public education
in this area.
My nomination for the problem with the greatest unrealized potential benefit
from these techniques: venereal warts. Medical treatment is frustrating and we have
no research studies of psychological approaches, yet we do have some very
promising clinical reports. The few people I've work with have done well.
Which technique has seen the most rapid increase in research and direct
application? Groups and the healing effects of human relationships take this prize
(see Appendix III).
Nearly everyone who comes to these techniques has been disappointed by
everything else they've tried. In visiting practitioner after practitioner, they have
been ground down by years or decades of trying to cope with a chronic disease or
condition. So it is fortunate that skepticism, if it is linked with openness, is not a
roadblock to the Skin Deep program.
What about hope – often a rare commodity for people in this position? Are faith
and hope essential ingredients, or is the bumper sticker "I Feel So Much Better Since I
Gave Up Hope!" on the right road?
Find out more at http://www.grossbart.com