The RV Book Launch: WRESTLING Through Adversity, by Dr. Christine Silverstein

From the dark ages, the treatment of those mentally ill has progressed from chaining to a wall those afflicted with mental disturbance who never saw the light of day. However, in US emergency rooms, our young people on the brink of despair are held hostage for psychiatric care.

We have been bound to the antiquated biomedical model of mental health care. It is fortunate that we, as a society, are experiencing a mental health crisis of enormous proportions currently only in the sense that we are beginning to hear a wake-up call as we witness a total breakdown of our mental healthcare system regarding the mental stability of our youth and other groups of everyday people.

Healthcare professionals and societies are beginning to understand that mental health is integral to overall health and is more than the absence of symptoms of psychological distress. The mastery important to us all includes the acquisition of the capacity to reflect, to relate on a deep level with others emotionally, and to empathize in the face of change or stressful situations.

Resilient young people who possess these qualities and the ability to wrestle through adversity when they have the skillsets to do so, lead more successful lives when they know how to make lemonade out of lemons.

The RV Book Reviews

The author’s experience of mental health, through her work as a young psychiatric nurse, published historian, and Peak Performance Coach, is evident throughout this book.

She has cleverly woven her own personal memories together with case studies she has worked on to illustrate her view that “the mind controls the body.”

Whilst the book contains many references to medical and scientific studies, it was never difficult or boring to read because every chapter included further observations and insights that held my interest.

She takes us on a journey from the old lunatic asylums, where even children were locked up. We learn how, during the 1900s, patients in such institutions were given “modern” treatments based on the scientific research of the time. Treatments such as Insulin Coma Therapy, Electroshock Therapy (ECT), and Prefrontal Lobotomy were frequently used, as they were considered cheap, quick, and reliable, despite often causing permanent brain damage and memory loss.

In speaking about progress in mental health care, I agree with her quote that “History repeats itself” and that it seems to be “two steps forward and three steps backward” in the treatment and understanding of mental health. Although we no longer routinely lock people up in asylums, often to live their lives in abject misery, it seems that nowadays the option is “magic bullet drugs,” which can sometimes cause long-term harm.

The author’s personal experience as a Peak Performance Coach, together with her life and nursing experiences, has enabled her to teach people how to use their minds, inner strength, and imagination to help overcome adversity.

She makes this very relatable by sharing her own childbirth story, explaining how she used the power of self-hypnosis to heal and recover from trauma without the use of addictive drugs.

This remarkable book is peppered with such illustrations, showing how “mindful toughness” can help people overcome trauma associated with events such as the Twin Towers attacks, the war in Ukraine, and anxieties surrounding worldwide alliances and diplomacy.

She talks in depth about her experiences with young people, particularly wrestlers and their coaches, showing how self-hypnosis and other mindfulness techniques can help them overcome adversity.

High levels of anxiety, depression, suicide, and drug addiction are, sadly, common concerns among both young and older people in today's world.

This book is an excellent read for people Wrestling with Adversity, whether in their own lives or in the lives of their family members or children. It offers hope that there may be alternatives to simply relying on more medication.

Dr. Christine Silverstein is a compassionate author, hypnotherapist, educator, and Peak Performance Coach supporting children, teens, and adults.

Her personalized Hypno-Coaching approach typically involves nine to twelve one-hour sessions, helping clients harness their subconscious minds and develop skills for everyday challenges. Her programs include Winning Ways for Teens and Winning Ways for Wrestlers, which cultivate resilience and peak performance. Operation Heal focuses on reducing stress and supporting healing before, during, and after surgery.

She uses imagery, storytelling, therapeutic metaphors, and the Affect Bridge Technique to address past traumas and encourage personal growth. Her manuals offer inspiration and practical guidance, while Metamorphosis and Train to Regain support individuals seeking fertility enhancement and stroke recovery, respectively, with empathy, insight, and tailored coaching. Her work emphasizes understanding each client’s unique challenges and providing tools that extend beyond coaching sessions, helping individuals apply newfound confidence and resilience across sports, education, work, and personal life.

Find out more at https://drchristinesilverstein.com.

Book Launch featured in The Relatable Voice Magazine - October 2026. Download the full magazine at https://www.relatable-media.com/the-relatable-voice-magazine.