Some symptoms require care, not reading
Chest pain or pressure with exertion. Loss of bowel or bladder control, or numbness in the area that would contact a saddle. Sudden severe headache or visual disturbance. Bleeding in pregnancy or reduced fetal movement. New severe pain after trauma. Thoughts of ending your life, which warrant help the same day from an emergency service, a crisis line, or a person you trust.
None of these is a reason to consult a book. Read all seven disclaimers →
A number of the presentations discussed in this volume are emergencies. Chest pain or pressure, particularly with exertion. Loss of bowel or bladder control, or numbness in the area that would contact a saddle. Sudden severe headache or visual disturbance. Bleeding in pregnancy or reduced fetal movement. New severe pain after trauma. Thoughts of ending your life, which warrant help the same day from an emergency service, a crisis line or a person you trust. None of these is a reason to consult a book. Individual chapters give fuller lists for their own subjects.
Where to go instead
- In the United States, call 911 for a medical emergency.
- For thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, at any hour.
- For eating-disorder support, the National Alliance for Eating Disorders helpline can direct you to help.
- Outside the United States, contact your local emergency number or health service.
Individual chapters give fuller lists for their own subjects. If something in this collection seems to describe your own symptoms, take it to a clinician rather than acting on it.
Source: Disclaimer 4, page 27. Reproduced from the printed volume.