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FiNDing Hope: The Mind-Body Connection and the Importance of Being Seen and Heard Paperback – Oct. 20 2023
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FiNDing Hope is the remarkable story of Jocelyn Bystrom's seven-year struggle against Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a complex neurological condition that triggered daily epileptic-like seizures, cognitive decline, thunderous headaches, and an inability to work, drive, or care for herself or her family.
In a world where millions struggle with undiagnosed mental health disorders, FND often goes unnoticed. This involuntary condition complicates the nervous system, interfering with the brain-body connection. It can be triggered by various factors, including acute psychological trauma, physical injuries, or underlying medical conditions. For Jocelyn, it was the abrupt loss of her beloved teaching job that ignited a cascade of debilitating health challenges.
But her journey is more than just a medical mystery. It’s a story of unwavering hope, resilience, and the enduring power of the human spirit. As Jocelyn navigates the complexities of her illness, she shares her experiences with raw honesty and vulnerability, allowing readers to experience her journey firsthand while providing valuable insights into FND.
FiNDing Hope is not just a book about FND; it’s a testament to the human capacity to overcome adversity. It offers hope and understanding to anyone facing a chronic illness, and it inspires us all to find strength in the face of life’s challenges.
- Print length367 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateOct. 20 2023
- Dimensions15.24 x 2.34 x 22.86 cm
- ISBN-13979-8989250103
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Product details
- ASIN : B0CLJ41SYD
- Publisher : Stone Tiger Books LLC (Oct. 20 2023)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 367 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8989250103
- Item weight : 626 g
- Dimensions : 15.24 x 2.34 x 22.86 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: #147,406 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #49 in Mind-Body Connection
- #61 in Physical Impairments (Books)
- #443 in Neuropsychology (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Jocelyn Bystrom is an author, keynote speaker, and educator with a reputation for challenging the status quo when it comes to healthcare. Jocelyn completed an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Counselling from City University of Seattle. She’s an educator and writer who has made a name for herself in B.C.,Canada, as an educational leader, K-8th grade teacher, Adlerian School Counsellor, and Gifted Education Specialist. Jocelyn Bystrom is a self-described articulate, career-minded perfectionist. She has a special passion for mental health advocacy and works alongside mental health leaders & stigma-free advocates to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in her Western Canada community, in schools, in the workplace and online. Jocelyn blogs to share mental health and FND health content with the aim of sharing mental health insights, resources, and wisdom. She also has several thousand social media followers across Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Customer reviews
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Customers say
Customers find the story inspiring, encouraging, and brave. They describe the narrative style as relatable, honest, and personal with vivid descriptions of emotions and places. The book provides useful information about mental illness and advocacy for mental health. It is a valuable, compelling read that is hard to put down.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the story inspiring, encouraging, and brave. They say it's a fantastic read that will change lives. The author's perseverance and strength are praised as lessons.
"...The perseverance and strength that Jocelyn demonstrates throughout her story is inspiring...." Read more
"...Psychiatry, (SIU)Vancouver General Hospital “Finding Hope is a fantastic read...." Read more
"...but Ms. Bystrom's telling of her journey is really a story of hope and growth. Well done!" Read more
"...FND on the author's relationships, career, sprirituality and overall sense of self...." Read more
Customers find the narrative style honest, touching, and personal. They appreciate the vivid descriptions of emotions and places. The story depicts the complexities of FMD and mental health, and the different ways that symptoms can manifest. Readers mention it's a powerful read with many lessons woven between the lines.
"...The story depicts the complexities of FND and mental health, and the different ways that symptoms can manifest...." Read more
"...I found many parallels in the book and it brought comfort knowing my daughter isn’t alone in this. Those with FND are brave and strong!..." Read more
"...Bystrom is a well written and openly honest journey, a story told through reflection and a growing realization of how her body betrayed her, and how..." Read more
"...Although FND is a rare diagnosis, I think the narrative in this book is relatable for anyone who is struggling with mental and physical health and..." Read more
Customers find the book informative about a mental illness they had not heard of. They appreciate the author's balance between analytical attention to detail and poetic imagery. The book is described as a thorough and compelling read that develops amazing teacher-student relationships.
"...and now through bravely sharing her incredible journey and advocating for mental health, she is continuing to help and inspire even more people...." Read more
"...Plus, you'll learn about FND, a Mental Health condition that the medical world is now learning about. You wont be disappointed!!" Read more
"...It is thorough and compelling; hard to put down...." Read more
"...on the seizure intervention unit craft the perfect balance between analytical attention to detail and poetic imagery of what these experiences were..." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and valuable for anyone wanting to understand power. They find it thorough and hard to put down, saying it's helpful.
"...one are currently facing mental health challenges, this book is absolutely worth reading...." Read more
"...It is thorough and compelling; hard to put down. It is also a valuable read for anyone wanting to understand the power of human connection to..." Read more
"...I have already shared this book with others. An insightful, powerful read with many lessons woven between the lines. Loved it!" Read more
"This book is brave, honest and compelling ! I read this in an afternoon..." Read more
Customers find the book authentic and engaging. They describe it as honest.
"...’s account of her bewildering journey with FND in this book is so honest, touching and relatable...." Read more
"FiNDing Hope is in parts harrowing and informative - and entirely authentic...." Read more
"This book is brave, honest and compelling ! I read this in an afternoon..." Read more
Top reviews from Canada
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- Reviewed in Canada on March 17, 2024Verified PurchaseThis is an incredible story and excellent read. I have actually known Mrs. Bystrom for a very long time, so I want to give a bit of a backstory before delving into the review. I attended the challenge program with Mrs. Bystrom as my teacher from grades 4 through 7 while I grew up in Comox. She is an incredible teacher who taught and engaged with students in a way that developed amazing teacher-student relationships and fostered a phenomenal learning environment. Her classes involved thinking outside of the box and pushing the boundaries of critical thinking in unique and fun ways, which I always looked forward to. She was also always there to support students and help them grow during the year. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve Mrs. Bystrom's classes and the unique learning opportunities she presented us with.
We have stayed in touch through the years, and hearing of Mrs. Bystrom's heath challenges as I got older really saddened me. It's so unfortunate when bad things happen to really good people. I was so happy to hear when her medical issues began resolving and when she began her path to recovery. She had kept me updated from time to time as she was writing her memoir, and I was so excited to finally read it when it was released last fall.
This story carries the reader through Jocelyn's FND health journey from early life events that led towards the onset of symptoms, to her struggles with multiple daily seizures and an inability to work, and finally through her FND diagnosis and recovery pathway. The story depicts the complexities of FND and mental health, and the different ways that symptoms can manifest. It also highlights the massive societal stigma currently surrounding mental health. Regardless of if you or a loved one are currently facing mental health challenges, this book is absolutely worth reading. Mental health impacts so many individuals at some point during their lives, and Jocelyn's story exemplifies the importance of being transparent and openly discussing mental health challenges with others. The perseverance and strength that Jocelyn demonstrates throughout her story is inspiring.
Mrs. Bystrom has positively impacted my life and the lives of many students, and now through bravely sharing her incredible journey and advocating for mental health, she is continuing to help and inspire even more people. Since I have read this book, I have been passing it on to other friends and family to read. You absolutely must get this book!
- Reviewed in Canada on September 25, 2024Verified PurchaseAs a mother of a16 year old daughter recently diagnosed with FND I have been educating myself to better understand this disorder. I heard about this book through FND Hope US/Canada. Jocelyn shares her own experiences navigating the challenges and symptoms of this neurological disorder. Many times I was brought to tears as my daughter is struggling to finish her last year of high school while having seizures. I found many parallels in the book and it brought comfort knowing my daughter isn’t alone in this. Those with FND are brave and strong! Showing up and pushing onward is no easy task when your body and brain struggle to communicate properly. Thank you, Jocelyn for sharing your story and educating others about FND. You are truly making a difference.
- Reviewed in Canada on July 7, 2024Verified PurchaseDr. JJ. Sidhu
Psychiatry, (SIU)Vancouver General Hospital
“Finding Hope is a fantastic read. Like any skilled guide, Jocelyn Bystrom expertly brings us along to experience the ups and downs of what it is like to live with a condition that transcends the perceived space between mental and physical health. This experience can be incredibly isolating and invalidating for individuals trying to navigate their own lives, as well as medical systems that are better set up for more overly simplified origins of illness. Finding Hope advances this discussion, and it should bring hope to those who find themselves in similar circumstances.”
- Reviewed in Canada on November 10, 2023Verified PurchaseThink you are having a bad day? Try having 7 years of bad days!! Imagine having your body reacting to something where you are having seizures and your brain not playing nice. Imagine having to go from doctors to doctors and countless specialists for tests and more tests with no answers. And then, a miracle!! The diagnosis of a rare and misunderstood mental health condition that allowed Jocelyn to get back her life.
This is Jocelyn's compelling journey from the first symptoms to finally having a diagnosis and her thoughts on what may have triggered her condition. This is also an all too familiar journey through the health care system where waiting and waiting and waiting for the care you need, the care you deserve, never seems to come in a timely matter.
This is truly a read where many people will be able to relate. Plus, you'll learn about FND, a Mental Health condition that the medical world is now learning about. You wont be disappointed!!
- Reviewed in Canada on September 8, 2024Verified PurchaseThis book by Jocelyn Bystrom is a well written and openly honest journey, a story told through reflection and a growing realization of how her body betrayed her, and how much her life changed by a diagnosis of FND. Although I too have FND, my diagnosis came within months of symptoms and treatment fairly soon after. Her story of years being shuffled through the health care system, as physicians tried to figure out what was wrong, is much more common for many affected by FND, and perhaps speaks to why the diagnosis doesn't come to the reader's attention until 3/4 of the way through the book.
There is still much to be learned about FND and its treatment, but Ms. Bystrom's telling of her journey is really a story of hope and growth. Well done!
Top reviews from other countries
- Jennifer BerryReviewed in the United States on October 2, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read if you’re new to the FND family
Verified PurchaseI was recently diagnosed with FND and this book was a beautiful insight into how those of us with FND see the world, the people in it and our perceived responsibility to take care of it all. A gentle reminder that we need to prioritize ourselves not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. Thank you Jocelyn for sharing your experience with the world ❤️
- Clair BoyleReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Courageous Clair
Verified PurchaseLiving with FND can cause many people to experience feelings of confusion and isolation. You can feel like you’re the only person on the planet that is experiencing the symptoms you have. Jocelyn writes about her experiences of FND in a way that helps you feel less alone in your struggles and that also helps further awareness and understanding of this debilitating condition. Whether you or someone you know that has FND, this book is a must read for all!
- Stephen R. SeveranceReviewed in the United States on March 3, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Hopeful and engaging read
Verified PurchaseJocelyn gives voice to the many people afflicted with difficult to diagnose illnesses, the many sufferers who are told, in essence, “it’s all in your head.” Her perseverance and courage in pursuing the answers she needed to heal is awe inspiring and will benefit others with similar conditions. Jocelyn is a throng woman who presents a hopeful future for others searching for medical solutions.
- Marie-Anne CatterallReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2024
4.0 out of 5 stars Emotive and heartfelt
Verified PurchaseI have been diagnosed with FND amongst other things and Jocelyn Bystrom gives a heartfelt look into both her life and the extreme challenges that FND can bring. She encapsulates the feeling of constantly striving for answers as is unfortunately the case for many with the diagnosis. My only reason for not giving 5 stars is the referral to FND as a mental health condition as while it is possible for mental trauma to be a trigger for some, this is not always the case. I think someone reading this without any knowledge of the condition may assume that it is purely a mental health diagnosis. I would definitely recommend this book, particularly to those diagnosed as it is story of true determination and strength.