This book is a compassionate guide providing practical yet therapeutically oriented mental health support and self-care strategies for people with Huntington’s disease and their families to empower them in navigating this journey with hope and clarity.

This book offers strategies for self-help and wellbeing that are firmly grounded in the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). It bridges professional and personal insight by bringing together the author’s professional expertise as a clinical psychologist and researcher, and lived experience as a member of a family affected by Huntington’s disease (HD). Topics covered include, but are not limited to:

• Physical symptoms and mental health difficulties associated with Huntington’s disease.

• Understanding Huntington’s disease in the family context, including impacts across families.

• Benefits of ACT strategies for managing difficulties associated with Huntington’s disease.

• ACT aligned practical guidance on emotional resilience, acceptance, and meaningful living.

It expands on similar works in the field to explore the experiences of ‘at risk’ family members, individuals without the gene expansion, caregivers and loved ones, and specific challenges that these respective groups may face.

With evidence-based strategies to support mental health and wellbeing, this is a compelling read for families and individuals with lived experience of Huntington’s disease. It will also interest practitioners and healthcare professionals who wish to better understand Huntington’s disease and provide more effective support.

'This book offers an extremely unique perspective on the many facets of Huntington’s disease – telling the story from a personal perspective, then offering some really practical insights on coping with the disease, and into psychological research. What stands out to me is the resilience families with Huntington’s disease have: as Sarah points out “people from Huntington’s families are not helpless, and Huntington’s disease doesn’t get to beat us.'

Cath Stanley, Chief Executive, Huntington’s Disease Association – England and Wales

'A very brave and personal book and an important resource. Moving and inspiring, it will be very useful for our community of people affected by or dealing with Huntington’s.'

Patrick Weydt, MD, Chair of the European Huntington’s Disease Network

Dr Sarah Gunn is a clinical psychologist and researcher from a Huntington’s family, specialising in mental healthcare for people affected by Huntington’s disease. She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in her work and leads research into the psychological impacts of Huntington’s, taking a compassionate approach to understanding and supporting people and families navigating the challenges of this condition.