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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Heart-wrenching, eyeopening and hauntingly beautiful
i really hope they do a good job with the movie adaptation
i really hope they do a good job with the movie adaptation
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness is the memoir of Susannah Cahalan a journalist who works for the New York Post. In 2009 she began experiencing episodes of violence and paranoia and felt unable control her thoughts. After initially thinking that... read the full review here: https://www.amybucklesbookshelf.co.uk/2020/03/brain-on-fire-book-review/
Woman starts feeling strange, within a month she’s nearly catatonic with what the doctors are saying is schizo-affective disorder. Compelling book about the brain issue that caused this and how she is now.
That said, I think what was most compelling was her struggle to find her identity again as she recovered.
More on my blog: http://colleenstinchcombe.com/post/107034089829/brain-on-fire-my-month-of-madness-by-susannah
That said, I think what was most compelling was her struggle to find her identity again as she recovered.
More on my blog: http://colleenstinchcombe.com/post/107034089829/brain-on-fire-my-month-of-madness-by-susannah
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
There were a lot of things that I didn't like about this story. The journalistic grammar, the lack of pre-characterization of Susannah to contrast with her "sick personality". Her privilege. But it's a fast informational read and overall enjoyable. Also part of my goal to actually finish nonfiction books I start.
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
A miraculous retelling of probably one of the most terrifying things imaginable. A feat of journalism and autobiography.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
A really interesting memoir of a young woman who presents with symptoms of psychosis, which gradually worsen until she ends up in hospital. After a long investigation, and considerable grief to Susannah and her family, they finally discover that it's NMDA-receptor encephalitis, a rare (and at the time virtually unknown) neurological condition.
It's very scary to think about how hard it can be to diagnose someone, as the damage just keeps accumulating. And the possibility of a psychiatric problem having organic origins. As was pointed out in the book, others presenting with psychosis may actually have a neurological problem. Something I didn't fully grasp was why they kept investigating her illness. It seemed like they were trying to find alternatives before there really were neurological symptoms. And why they were doing that didn't feel fully explained.
I was quite impressed with how it was written, given the profound effects of her illness on memory and cognitive abilities. The approach she took was to investigate her own story, which must have been an interesting experience. It does create a bit of distance but also feels more realistic than some memoirs I've read. It definitely feels like a piece of medical journalism, which just has an amazing connection to the sources.
It's very scary to think about how hard it can be to diagnose someone, as the damage just keeps accumulating. And the possibility of a psychiatric problem having organic origins. As was pointed out in the book, others presenting with psychosis may actually have a neurological problem. Something I didn't fully grasp was why they kept investigating her illness. It seemed like they were trying to find alternatives before there really were neurological symptoms. And why they were doing that didn't feel fully explained.
I was quite impressed with how it was written, given the profound effects of her illness on memory and cognitive abilities. The approach she took was to investigate her own story, which must have been an interesting experience. It does create a bit of distance but also feels more realistic than some memoirs I've read. It definitely feels like a piece of medical journalism, which just has an amazing connection to the sources.