“Finding Hope is a fantastic read. Like any skilled guide, Jocelyn Bystrom expertly brings us along to experience the ups and downs of what it is like to live with a condition that transcends the perceived space between mental and physical health. This experience can be incredibly isolating and invalidating for individuals trying to navigate their own lives, as well as medical systems that are better set up for more overly simplified origins of illness. Finding Hope advances this discussion, and it should bring hope to those who find themselves in similar circumstances.” 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars

"Mental health is increasingly becoming a popular subject in households, schools, and social institutions all over the world. Just like any other disease or health condition, mental health has proven to have severe effects on one’s general health if neglected."

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 BY  Keith Mbuya / December 30th, 2023

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"Jocelyn Bystrom’s FiNDing Hope is a must-read for readers or those supporting others struggling with mental well-being. Breaking her discourse into five parts, Jocelyn pours her heart out through personal experiences and memories. The intellectual edge underlying her intimate tone, coupled with the research data and factual information, made the reading experience enthralling and enlightening. I had never heard about FND before reading this book, and seeing how unexpected functional symptoms may affect the daily lives of many people left me with a lot of questions. It is even more worrying that most of the triggers and functional symptoms are out of the individual’s control. For instance, we may not have control over our parents’ marital status, our job status, personal relationships, and many other factors that often greatly impact our lives. The good news is that seeking help can make a great difference."

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Read Full Review Here:  https://readersfavorite.com

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars 

Fantastic read

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Reviewed in Canada on November 22, 2023

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Wow this was hard to put down! I was engaged right from the first word and found it easy to put myself in the authors shoes and relate to her experience while reading her story. A powerful impactful memoir that I have no doubt will change lives. I have already shared this book with others. An insightful, powerful read with many lessons woven between the lines. Loved it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars

A Brave, Admirable Story

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Reviewed in the United States on November 2nd, 2023

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Iocelyn Bystrom’s new book, “FiNDing Hope,”is a deeply touching, raw and admirable memoir. She beautifully captures her struggles as her body betrays her for reasons doctors are unable to quite comprehend. It also adeptly captures her periods of hopelessness, pain, bewilderment, and the gradual journey towards inner peace. This memoir weaves together sorrow and personal growth and offers comfort, compassion, and hope — but not just to those facing a diagnosis of FND, but anyone struggling with a medical mystery or other chronic health problem. Jocelyn's frightening tale as she grapples with trying to solve her own medical puzzle - and finally finding hope is a brave, inspiring story that will really resonate with readers. If you or a loved one is facing any type of mysterious medical concern, I highly recommend reading how Jocelyn courageously faced her issues, found hope, and emerged as a conquerer, stronger, wiser, and enlightened. Get this book!

"The voices of people with FND have long been silent.  Jocelyn Bystrom's account of experiencing seizures and movement disorder as part of the condition will resonabte with others who experienced diagnostic delay and disbelief from others.  Her story also gives hope to those wondering if improvement from FND is possible and reminds us that there are many different paths to change.

 neurosymptoms.org

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️out of 5 stars

A remarkable achievement!

Reviewed in Canada on November 10, 2023

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FND has been poorly understood and overlooked in the medical sector at great cost to patients and their loved ones. The raw emotions and vulnerability expressed through the book create a deep sense of empathy, allowing readers to connect with the author on a profound level. The memoir delves into the impact of FND on the author's relationships, career, sprirituality and overall sense of self. One of the most remarkable aspects of this memoir is the author's ability to convey the rollercoaster that accompanies living with FND. The complexities of living with this condition has rarely been written from a patient's perspective. From the confusion and frustration of seeking a diagnosis to the daily challenges of managing symptoms, readers are given a glimpse into the author's world.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars

Great read

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Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2023

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Important insight to the struggles of chronic pain and depression.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars

Compelling, insightful, inspiring, and educational.

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 BY  NICKY FLOWERS / JANUARY 8, 2024

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Jocelyn Bystrom writes with a clear, concise voice that facilitates compassion and understanding of a disorder with far-reaching consequences. Vivid scenes, like a seizure in a crowded gift shop or the terror of a lumbar puncture, give heartbreaking insights into extraordinarily challenging moments that become part of the day-to-day routine for the author. As Jocelyn navigates her declining physical, emotional, and spiritual health, readers are granted clues as to what precipitated the disorder. Years of catastrophizing events, living as a perfectionist, being a people-pleaser, and constantly wondering if it’s ‘all in your head’ take a toll and eventually catch up to her, culminating in an FND diagnosis. A story about advocating for yourself, Jocelyn’s experiences point toward hope and healing and always come back to finding strength in her faith, her family, and herself. Compelling, insightful, inspiring, and educational, FiNDing Hope offers a way forward and can benefit anyone suffering from similar unexplained illnesses, mental health issues, traumas, and stresses. 

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️out of 5 stars

A must read for anyone who feels alone in their mental and physical health challenges!

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Reviewed in Canada on October 25, 2023

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This autobiographical tale reads both as a detailed look into what it is like to navigate an FND diagnosis, and an exciting mystery thriller as we follow Jocelyn through endless hurdles in the Canadian medical system.

Although FND is a rare diagnosis, I think the narrative in this book is relatable for anyone who is struggling with mental and physical health and feels alone or overwhelmed.

I also recommend this as a read for medical professionals and mental health practitioners of patients with complex histories. Jocelyn's descriptions of her experiences with lumbar puncture, psychiatric testing, and monitoring on the seizure intervention unit craft the perfect balance between analytical attention to detail and poetic imagery of what these experiences were like.

For anyone who grew up in British Columbia or Vancouver Island, there are also a lot of fun local references you will recognize!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars

Journey to Health

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Reviewed in the United States on December 11th, 2023

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Jocelyn’s book relates her journey into very poor health and her fight to regain everything she lost, both personally and professionally. Her determination and perseverance paid off and the sharing of her story will hopefully help others persist in their search for answers for their own baffling symptoms. A good read!