Tag: Susan Shapiro

An Overlooked Health Epidemic: My Op Ed Piece on AOL News

“We’re in the midst of a terrifying epidemic, although you wouldn’t know it to talk to most doctors and health specialists.”
That’s what I wrote in my opinion piece, that was posted on AOL News on Friday.
Just in case you were on vacation, I wanted to make sure you see this.
“The disease is growing at a rate faster than AIDS,” I continued.
“From 2006 to 2008 alone, the number of cases jumped a whopping 77 percent. In 2008 alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed 28,921 “confirmed” and 6,277 “probable” cases of the disease, but there could be as many as 420,000 because of underreporting.”
“Prominent victims include Parker Posey, Richard Gere, President George W. Bush, Alice Walker and Christie Brinkley,” my op ed piece on AOL News points out.
Lyme map “If any other disease had stricken so many people, the medical community would be scurrying for knowledge, scrambling for cures or rushing to warn patients (think swine flu).
“But that’s not the case with Lyme disease — a disease carried by ticks.
“Instead, ill-informed doctors are often flummoxed when patients complain of fatigue, headaches, fever or chills, muscle or joint pain, mental confusion, swollen lymph nodes and neurological symptoms. It’s an appalling display of indifference.”
Anyhow, at last, two years after my own terrifying health experiences, my op ed piece is on AOL News.
Learn more about this terrifying epidemic on Wednesday, June 2 at 2 pm EST on my Gab with the Gurus Radio Show when I interview several Lyme disease experts.
And please share your or your friends’ experiences and insights here and on AOL about your or their terrifying, often-misunderstood disease.
Many thanks to my smart health friend JJ Virgin, to whom I’m greatly indebted for helping me to quickly find out why I was so sick two years ago.
In addition, my gratitude goes to the following for their support and invaluable help:
* Knowledgeable Lyme disease expert Kris Newby, senior producer and researcher for the eye-opening documentary, “Under Our Skin.”
* Talented editor/writer Abby Ellin
* Katie Orenstein and Danielle Grace Warren of the fabulous Op Ed Project (which you can learn more about soon on an upcoming radio show)
* Talented editors/writers Susan Shapiro and Gerry Jonas
Please read my important op ed now on AOL News now.
And please join us Wednesday, June 2 for my Gab with the Gurus Radio Show about Lyme disease.

An Often-Overlooked Health Epidemic: My Opinion Piece on AOL News

Lyme-disease “We’re in the midst of a terrifying epidemic, although you wouldn’t know it to talk to most doctors and health specialists.”
That’s what I wrote, in my opinion piece, that is posted on AOL News today.
I continued, “The disease is growing at a rate faster than AIDS. From 2006 to 2008 alone, the number of cases jumped a whopping 77 percent. In 2008 alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed 28,921 “confirmed” and 6,277 “probable” cases of the disease, but there could be as many as 420,000 because of underreporting.”
“Prominent victims include Parker Posey, Richard Gere, President George W. Bush, Alice Walker and Christie Brinkley,” my op ed piece on AOL News points out.
Lyme map “If any other disease had stricken so many people, the medical community would be scurrying for knowledge, scrambling for cures or rushing to warn patients (think swine flu).
“But that’s not the case with Lyme disease — a disease carried by ticks.
“Instead, ill-informed doctors are often flummoxed when patients complain of fatigue, headaches, fever or chills, muscle or joint pain, mental confusion, swollen lymph nodes and neurological symptoms. It’s an appalling display of indifference.”
Anyhow, at last, two years after my own terrifying health experiences, my op ed piece is running on AOL News today.
Learn more about this terrifying epidemic on Wednesday, June 2 at 2 pm EST on my Gab with the Gurus Radio Show when I interview several Lyme disease experts.
And please share your or your friends’ experiences here and on AOL about your or their terrifying, often-misunderstood disease.
Many thanks to my smart health friend JJ Virgin, to whom I’m greatly indebted for helping me to quickly find out why I was so sick two years ago.
In addition, my gratitude goes to the following for their support and invaluable help:
* Knowledgeable Lyme disease expert Kris Newby, senior producer and researcher for the eye-opening documentary, “Under Our Skin.” (See the fascinating blog, too.)
* Talented editor/writer Abby Ellin
* Katie Orenstein and Danielle Smith Warren of the fabulous Op Ed Project (which you can learn more about soon on an upcoming radio show)
* Talented editors/writers Susan Shapiro and Gerry Jonas
* The astute, insightful, personable John Merline of AOL News
Please read my important op ed now on AOL News now.
And please join us Wednesday, June 2 for my Gab with the Gurus Radio Show about Lyme disease

Sugar Addict? Get Inspired by “Speed Shrinking’s” Susan Shapiro

Are you struggling with a sugar habit or another addiction?
Take heart. You can get out of your self-destructive cycle.
Just listen anytime to this week’s Gab With the Gurus Radio Show with Susan Shapiro, author of the entertaining novel Speed Shrinking.
Susan will tell you how life becomes much richer and better when you get out from under your addiction.

Shrinks Helped Author Susan Shapiro Kick Sugar

Want to learn how to kick sugar?
Author Susan Shapiro says therapy helped her quit all her addictive behavior — smoking, drinking, pot, gum and sugar.
Get the scoop from Sue next Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 2 pm EST, when she comes on the Gab With the Gurus Radio Show.
Sue will discuss how she was able to finally conquer her sugar habit. She’ll also chat about her debut debut novel, Speed Shrinking, a humorous account about how a self-help guru goes on a shrink shopping spree, seeing 8 in 8 days to quickly find help after she relapses on cupcakes right before a major TV appearance.
SpeedShrinking-NewQuote (3) As mentioned on this Sugar Shock Blog here and then again here, Sue has been holding acclaimed, much-publicized “Speed Shrinking” events, in which people chat about their issues for 3 minutes with a variety of “Speed Shrinkers.” (Sue was kind enough to include me.)
If you’re struggling with a sugar addiction, I recommend that you listen to my upcoming Gab With the Gurus Radio Show on Sept. 22 at 2 pm EST to get Sue’s take on sugar addiction and more. (As usual, you can tune in live or later. See below.)
I also encourage you to get Sue’s entertaining book, Speed Shrinking, which has been getting rave reviews.
For instance, Publisher’s Weekly called it: ” “…bubbly…an original voice and an energy that will resonate with anyone who’s ever stared down a Twinkie.”
And Guy Nicolucci, writer for Late Night with Conan O’Brien said: “Susan Shapiro does for therapy and food what Candace Bushnell did for sex and shoes.”
Remember, you can get entertained, educated and inspired by listening live on Sept. 22 at 2 pm EST or later, when Sue appears on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show.

Speed Dating, Not! Attend “Speed Shrinking” Events, Thanks to Author Susan Shapiro

For many, speed dating events are a painless way to meet your potential paramour.
Author Susan Shapiro — who credits a psychoanalyst with helping her to quit smoking, drinking, pot, gum and sugar — has devised an innovative spin-off concept to help fans, friends and friends of friends learn about therapy and coaching.
Susan has created “Speed Shrinking” events — think speed dating with shrinks and other self-help gurus.
Speed Shrinking events are being held to coincide with the publication of Susan’s debut novel, Speed Shrinking, a humorous account about how self-help guru Julia Goodman develops a cupcake addiction when feeling abandoned by her therapist, best friend and husband. Frantic to slim down and find help before a major national TV appearance, she desperately goes on a shrink shopping spree, seeing 8 in 8 days to find a new analyst. (Amusing scenario, right?)
SpeedShrinking-NewQuote (3) As mentioned here earlier, Sue’s first “Speed Shrinking” event — in which people could chat for 3 minutes about their sugar challenges, writing goals or other issues with eight self-help types — was held earlier this month at Knickerbocker Bar in New York City. You can also read about the event in Publisher’s Weekly and also at the Pomp Lives blog. (I was fortunate enough to be included, too.)
On Wednesday, Wed., Aug. 26, you can attend another fun, helpful Speed Shrinking Book Party and Free Head Shrinking at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. The event is a benefit for the Housing Works, which helps homelessness and AIDS.
The Speed Shrinking events are brilliant book promotional gimmicks, from my perspective as a fellow author.
Susan points out that in her novel, Speed Shrinking “features a shrinkoholic heroine, who sees eight shrinks in eight days… So in order to recreate her experience for readers, I’m throwing a series of speed shrinking parties filled with my brilliant author guru friends.”
Those on hand to do Speed Shrinking on Aug. 26 include:
* Susan Shapiro (of course), who will be available to chat about her book, Speed Shrinking
* Psychologist Diana Kirschner, author of Love in 90 Days
* Sociologist Jon Fast, author of Ceremonial Violence
* Sherry Amatenstein, LMSW, author of The Complete Marriage Counselor: Relationship-Saving Advice from America’s Top 50 + Couples Therapists (upcoming)
* Yours truly, Connie Bennett, author of SUGAR SHOCK!
* Derner Institute Psychotherapist Jay Crosby
* Manuscript doctor Paula Derrow, editor at Self magazine and author of Behind the Bedroom Door;
* Vatsal Thakkar, M.D., Director of the Graduate Medical Education Wellness Team at the NYU Langone Medical Center and author of two young adult textbooks on psychiatry.

Author Susan Shapiro Shares “Speed Shrinking” Parties With Seekers

Author and writing teacher Susan Shapiro — who freely admits that therapy helped her personally quit sugar, smoking, drinking, pot and gum — has come up with an innovative way to get buzz going about her debut novel, Speed Shrinking, and to quickly help people with their issues.
Susan has created “Speed Shrinking” events — “think speed dating with shrinks” and other self-help gurus, she explains.
SpeedShrinking-NewQuote (3) The first such Speed Shrinking event in New York City earlier this week (held at the Knickerbocker Bar) served a double purpose.
The event was a Speed Shrinking book launch party, and it was a fun way to allow a group of self-help experts/authors “speed shrink” the 100 or so attendees.
Those and helping Diana Kirschner (Love In 90 Days), Sherry Amatenstein (The Complete Marriage Counselor), Jonathan Fast (Ceremonial Violence), Frank Flaherty (The Elements of Story), Sherene Schostak (Surviving Saturn’s Return), Elizabeth Maxwell (Food for the Soul) and yours truly (SUGAR SHOCK!)
Read about the event in Publisher’s Weekly and at the Pomp Lives blog and see our photo below.
Speed Shrinking 8-3-09 – DSCN2161 ed On Wednesday, Wed., Aug. 26, also in New York City, you can attend another fun, helpful Speed Shrinking Book Party and Free Head Shrinking at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. The event is a benefit for the Housing Works, which helps homelessness and AIDS.
Even if you can’t make these fun events, you can read Susan’s novel, Speed Shrinking, which humorously recounts how fictional how self-help guru Julia Goodman develops a cupcake addiction when feeling “abandoned” by her therapist, best friend and husband. Frantic to slim down and find help before a major national TV appearance, Julia desperately goes on a shrink shopping spree, seeing 8 in 8 days to find a new analyst.
If you’re in New York, I hope to see you Wednesday, Wed., Aug. 26, at the Speed Shrinking Book Party and Head Shrinking event at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe.
If you’re in another part of the country, I invite you to read Speed Shrinking and to catch our upcoming my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show, when Susan will be my guest. (You can listen below).