Invisible Illness
A History, from Hysteria to Long COVID
Seiten
2026
University of California Press (Verlag)
9780520421523 (ISBN)
University of California Press (Verlag)
9780520421523 (ISBN)
- Noch nicht erschienen (ca. Januar 2026)
- Versandkostenfrei
- Auch auf Rechnung
- Artikel merken
"An incisive study that illuminates the myriad complexities of chronic illness.”—Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
"Movingly spotlights the struggles of chronically ill patients.”—Publishers Weekly
A moving cultural history of disability—and a powerful call to action to change how our medical system and society supports those with complex chronic conditions
From lupus to Lyme, invisible illness is often dismissed by everyone but the sufferers. Why does the medical establishment continually insist that, when symptoms are hard to explain, they are probably just in your head?
Inspired by her work with long COVID patients, medical anthropologist Emily Mendenhall traces the story of complex chronic conditions to show why both research and practice fail so many. Mendenhall points out disconnects between the reality of chronic disease—which typically involves multiple intersecting problems resulting in unique, individualized illness—and the assumptions of medical providers, who behave as though chronic diseases have uniform effects for everyone. And while invisible illnesses have historically been associated with white middle-class women, being believed that you are sick is even more difficult for patients whose social identities and lived experiences may not align with dominant medical thought. Weaving together cultural history with intimate interviews, Invisible Illness upholds the experiences of those living with complex illness to expose the failures of the American healthcare system—and how we can do better.
"Movingly spotlights the struggles of chronically ill patients.”—Publishers Weekly
A moving cultural history of disability—and a powerful call to action to change how our medical system and society supports those with complex chronic conditions
From lupus to Lyme, invisible illness is often dismissed by everyone but the sufferers. Why does the medical establishment continually insist that, when symptoms are hard to explain, they are probably just in your head?
Inspired by her work with long COVID patients, medical anthropologist Emily Mendenhall traces the story of complex chronic conditions to show why both research and practice fail so many. Mendenhall points out disconnects between the reality of chronic disease—which typically involves multiple intersecting problems resulting in unique, individualized illness—and the assumptions of medical providers, who behave as though chronic diseases have uniform effects for everyone. And while invisible illnesses have historically been associated with white middle-class women, being believed that you are sick is even more difficult for patients whose social identities and lived experiences may not align with dominant medical thought. Weaving together cultural history with intimate interviews, Invisible Illness upholds the experiences of those living with complex illness to expose the failures of the American healthcare system—and how we can do better.
Emily Mendenhall is Professor in the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, a Guggenheim Fellow, and contributor to Scientific American, Psychology Today, and Vox.
Contents
A Note on Names
A Glossary of Conditions
Introduction
PART ONE: HISTORY
1. Hysteria Is an Old Story
2. The Case of Chronic Fatigue
3. Lyme Wars
4. Pain without Verifiability
PART TWO: POLITICS
5. Disabling Culture
6. The Rise of Patient Activism
7. Structural Silencing
8. Disability Consciousness
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography
Index
| Erscheint lt. Verlag | 13.1.2026 |
|---|---|
| Verlagsort | Berkerley |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Maße | 152 x 229 mm |
| Themenwelt | Medizin / Pharmazie ► Allgemeines / Lexika |
| Studium ► 1. Studienabschnitt (Vorklinik) ► Med. Psychologie / Soziologie | |
| Sozialwissenschaften ► Soziologie | |
| ISBN-13 | 9780520421523 / 9780520421523 |
| Zustand | Neuware |
| Informationen gemäß Produktsicherheitsverordnung (GPSR) | |
| Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |
Mehr entdecken
aus dem Bereich
aus dem Bereich
Antworten – prägnant und praxisnah für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie, …
Buch | Hardcover (2024)
Urban & Fischer in Elsevier (Verlag)
CHF 75,60
