BELIEVE

A psychotherapist proposes a non-pharmaceutical approach to thyroid problems.

In her nonfiction debut, Williams proposes using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to combat Graves’ disease (and other forms of hyperthyroidism), from which the author herself has suffered and for which she was initially prescribed a standard drug regimen that quickly wore on her. “I became dependent on medication,” she writes. “My behavior changed completely from living freely and independently to feeling trapped and dependent on prescription drugs.” As an alternative to this protocol, the author turned to prayer, altered her eating habits, and practiced CBT, which appeared to work. “I healed myself naturally,” she states, “and I believe you can, too.” In a series of short, concise chapters, Williams breaks down the details of and science behind hyperthyroidism and colorfully relates her own history with the condition. Each of the book’s chapters concludes with a “Reflections” section in which readers are encouraged to answer broad discussion questions like, “How do you feel about your current health?” The author’s tone is compassionate throughout as she reassures readers who have received a thyroid-related diagnosis that they aren’t alone in their worry and sense of isolation. This compassion is encouraging; less so is the author’s Christian-fundamentalist perspective, which often feels too close to tent-revival faith-healing. When she writes, for instance, “one of the greatest blessings anyone can receive is the Divine love and His purpose,” atheists and other non-Christian readers may wonder where they stand in this arrangement—and those suffering from the conditions covered here might feel less inclined to seek medical help, which, despite the author’s stance, they very likely need. This strand of science-denialism notwithstanding, the book’s emphasis on an upbeat attitude and improved healthy habits will doubtless help some readers.

A forcefully argued if perhaps fanciful alternative takeon hyperthyroid problems.