Colorfully redesigned for easy reading and fully updated with the latest research and information on current practice, medication, legal matters, and specific conditions, this new edition of a vital resource is full of tips, suggestions, and strategies to deal with chronic illness and symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, shortness of breath, disability, and depression. It encourages readers to develop individual approaches to setting goals, making decisions, and finding resources and support so that they are able to do the things they want and need. Originally based on a five-year study conducted at Stanford University, this work has grown to include the feedback of medical professionals and people with chronic conditions all over the world. Aimed at letting people become self-managers of their own illness, this book's one simple goal is to help anyone with a chronic illness live a productive, healthy life.

Virginia Gonzalez, MPH, is a health educator at the Stanford University School of Medicine's Patient Education Research Center. She lives in San Jose, California. Halsted Holman, MD, is professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. He lives in Stanford, California. Diana Laurent, MPH, is a health educator at the Stanford University School of Medicine's Patient Education Research Center. She lives in Palo Alto, California. Kate Lorig, DrPH, RN, is a director and associate professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine's Patient Education Research Center. She lives in Mountain View, California. Marion Minor, RPT, PhD, is an assistant professor at the University of Missouri in the department of physical therapy. She lives in Columbia, Missouri. David Sobel, MD, is the director of patient education and health promotion at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in Northern California. He lives in San Jose, California.