By Pat Anson, PNN Editor

If you live with chronic pain or illness and want to have a friend or family member get a better understanding of what you're going through -- here are 12 books and videos that would make great gifts over the holidays. Or you can always “gift” one to yourself.

Click on the cover to see price and ordering information. PNN receives a small amount of the proceeds -- at no additional cost to you -- for orders placed through Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 

Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness by Suzan Jackson

For nearly 20 years, Suzan Jackson has lived with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) — a condition she shares with two of her sons. In this book, Jackson shares what she and her family have learned about living well with chronic illness and finding a “new normal” through strong relationships, healthy emotions and finding joy in everyday life. The emphasis is on living life, not just enduring it.

War on Us by Colleen Cowles

Lawyer Colleen Cowles looks at how the war on drugs and myths about addiction have created a dysfunctional drug policy that prosecutes doctors for treating pain and stigmatizes patients for seeking relief. The U.S. has spent over a trillion dollars fighting the war and has little to show for it except some of the highest rates of addiction, overdose and incarceration anywhere in the developed world.

Ketamine Infusions: A Patient’s Guide by Berkley Jones

Berkley Jones looks at the increasing use of ketamine, a non-opioid analgesic, in treating chronic pain, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. This book is a useful guide if you are considering ketamine infusions and want to know how to select a provider, what to expect during infusions and possible side effects. Although primarily used to treat depression, some pain patients say ketamine is effective in treating neuropathy and CRPS.

Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons by Kris Newby

Author Kris Newby began looking into the origins of Lyme disease after she was bitten by a tick and became seriously ill. Her research led her to a secret U.S. government program during the Cold War that used insects as biological weapons to spread disease. Newby believes the Lyme outbreak that began 50 years ago and has infected millions of Americans may have been the result of a military experiment gone wrong.

Vagina Problems: Endometriosis, Painful Sex and Other Taboo Topics by Lara Parker

A memoir by Lara Parker that explores — with unflinching honesty — her battle with endometriosis, a chronic vaginal condition that makes daily life difficult and sex painful. As a teenager, doctors initially dismissed Parker’s pain as “bad period cramps” and suggested her pain was psychological. She nearly checked herself into a mental institution before finally getting a proper diagnosis.

A Quick Guide to CBD by Dr. Julie Moltke

CBD won’t cure you of chronic pain, but Dr. Julie Moltke says cannabidiol can reduce pain, inflammation, anxiety and insomnia — and help make life more livable. This handbook is intended for beginners who want to learn how and when to take CBD, and are puzzled by all the hype surrounding vapes, oils, gummies and edibles on the market.

Pain Warriors by Tina Petrova

A documentary produced by patient advocate Tina Petrova that examines the poor treatment and medical neglect faced by millions of pain sufferers in North America. The film is dedicated to Sherri Little, a chronic pain patient who committed suicide after one last attempt to get effective treatment. Available on DVD or for streaming on Amazon Prime.

Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection by Dr. Vivek Murthy

This timely book by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy looks at the importance of human connections and how loneliness affects our health and society at large. To combat loneliness, Murthy recommends spending at least 15 minutes each day connecting with people we care about and to give them our undivided attention.

Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom by Katherine Eban

Wonder why that generic drug you take doesn’t seem to work? About 90% of pharmaceutical drugs are generic and most are manufactured overseas. While generics are promoted as cheaper alternatives to brand name drugs, journalist Katherine Eban found the generic drug industry rampant with greed, fraud and falsified manufacturing data — resulting in many patients consuming drugs that are ineffective or have dangerous side effects.

In Pain: A Bioethicist’s Personal Struggle with Opioids by Travis Rieder, PhD

Travis Rieder is a professor of bioethics at Johns Hopkins University who severely injured his foot in a motorcycle accident and became dependent on opioids while recovering from surgery. In this book, he shares his frustration with the healthcare system and how it often abandons patients to pain, addiction or both. Rieder serves on a CDC advisory panel that is helping the agency prepare an update of its controversial 2016 opioid guideline.

The Chronic Pain Management Sourcebook by David Drum

A comprehensive guide about chronic pain by medical journalist David Drum, who summarizes the many causes, types and treatments of pain. Drum also has tips on managing stress, anxiety, lack of sleep and depression. The book is easy to understand and would be a useful resource for family members, friends and caretakers who want to understand and help someone living with chronic pain.

A Little Book of Self Care: Trigger Points by Amanda Oswald

This well-illustrated book provides 40 simple, step-by-step exercises you can use to manage back pain, migraine and other painful conditions. Author Amanda Oswald explains how “trigger points” — small knots of muscles and connective tissue — can be relieved through self-massage and the “power of touch” without visiting a chiropractor or physical therapist.

These and other books and videos about living with chronic pain and illness can be found in PNN’s Suggested Reading section.