Description

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Full of evidence-based, easy to understand information about CHD, Healing Hearts and Minds offers strategies for learning to thrive despite living with this condition, but most importantly it will offer hope and connection.

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is the most commonly diagnosed birth abnormality in the US. With great advances in surgery and medicine, however, survival rates have improved by 75% since the 1940s. Welcome news, of course, as only a few decades ago these birth defects were considered a death sentence, but as with any chronic condition, survival does not mean the issue is cured. With better medical care, babies born today with CHD have a good chance of surviving, but throughout their entire lives they can face surgeries, invasive treatments, lifelong monitoring, frequent medical check-ups, and significant limitations on physical activity, in addition to poor public awareness which can have an impact on social inclusion and understanding. Much attention has rightly been focused on the medical needs of these children and on providing their parents and caretakers with resources and information to navigate the complexities of this chronic condition.

Little attention, however, has been paid to the psychosocial impacts on these individuals, especially as they grow, mature, and become adults living with a serious, chronic medical condition. Prevalence rates for anxiety, depression, and PTSD are significantly higher (2-3x in some cases) for people living with CHD than the general adult population. From feeling self-conscious about scars and limitations on physical activity and sense of loss around so many of life's little normalcies, to frequent hospital visits and living in constant fear of an emergency, this condition is ever-present. Liza Morton and Tracy Livecchi are both mental health professionals who have developed a specialty in working with clients who have chronic medical conditions, and they are both themselves living with CHD. In this book they set out to provide the resources and support they have been looking for their entire adult lives. While their powerful personal stories are woven into the narrative, the book is focused on providing evidence-based coping and self-care skills for adults living with CHD.

About the Author

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Tracy Livecchi, LCSW, is a Clinical Social Worker in Private Practice and is the Mental Health Consultant to the Adult Congenital Heart Association's Peer Mentorship Program. Tracy was born with a complicated CHC which has made it necessary for her to have several surgeries and hospitalizations throughout her life. She feels fortunate to be able to combine her lived experience with a meaningful profession that she loves. She is passionate about improving access to mental health care for all, with a special focus on individuals living with serious and chronic illness. Tracy lives in Connecticut with her husband and two daughters. Liza Morton, PhD, C.Psychol, is a Chartered and Registered Counseling Psychologist practicing in Scotland, UK. She is also a part time Lecturer in Applied Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University. As a health advocate for over ten years, Liza voluntarily sits on the management board of The Somerville Heart Foundation in the UK successfully campaigning for Scottish CHD healthcare standards and improved psychological support. Born with complete heart block and a hole in her heart, in a world first at the time, Liza was fitted with her first cardiac pacemaker at just 11 days old in 1978. She has depended on pioneering medical treatment since facing countless cardiac surgeries, treatments, and hospitalizations. She is passionate about promoting what she terms Psychologically Informed Medicine to improve well-being and recovery for people living with lifelong medical conditions. This approach is grounded in her clinical work, research and advocacy and she publishes and presents widely. Liza lives with her husband Craig, their sixteen year old son Dylan and Scottish Terrier wee Lass.