Brain on Fire (10th Anniversary Edition): My Month of Madness
An anniversary edition of the award-winning memoir and instant New York Times bestseller that goes far beyond its riveting medical mystery, Brain on Fire is the powerful account of one woman’s struggle to recapture her identity—with a new note to readers by the author.
When twenty-four-year-old Susannah Cahalan woke up alone in a hospital room, strapped to her bed and unable to move or speak, she had no memory of how she’d gotten there. Days earlier, she had been on the threshold of a new, adult life: at the beginning of her first serious relationship and a promising career at a major New York newspaper. Now she was labeled violent, psychotic, a flight risk. What happened?
In a swift and breathtaking narrative, Susannah tells the astonishing true story of her descent into madness, her family’s inspiring faith in her, and the lifesaving diagnosis that nearly didn’t happen. “A fascinating look at the disease that...could have cost this vibrant, vital young woman her life” (People), Brain on Fire is an unforgettable exploration of memory and identity, faith and love, and a profoundly compelling tale of survival and perseverance that is destined to become a classic.
When twenty-four-year-old Susannah Cahalan woke up alone in a hospital room, strapped to her bed and unable to move or speak, she had no memory of how she’d gotten there. Days earlier, she had been on the threshold of a new, adult life: at the beginning of her first serious relationship and a promising career at a major New York newspaper. Now she was labeled violent, psychotic, a flight risk. What happened?
In a swift and breathtaking narrative, Susannah tells the astonishing true story of her descent into madness, her family’s inspiring faith in her, and the lifesaving diagnosis that nearly didn’t happen. “A fascinating look at the disease that...could have cost this vibrant, vital young woman her life” (People), Brain on Fire is an unforgettable exploration of memory and identity, faith and love, and a profoundly compelling tale of survival and perseverance that is destined to become a classic.
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Readers say *Brain on Fire* is a gripping, personal memoir that vividly captures one woman’s harrowing experience with a rare neurological disorder. R...
I could relate to this memoir on so many levels. Susannah begins having unexplained symptoms that leave her doctors puzzled and her family very worried. Her symptoms seem to be more psychiatric than physical but her family and boyfriend hold out hope and continue to ask questions and seek medical care. Once the doctors unravel the mystery she describes her treatments and her feelings about how she has changed since the onset of the illness. Highly recommend.
I could really relate to what Susannah went through. It is amazing to me how resilient the human body is, her doctors never gave up. A moving memoir for me on many levels.
Absolutely loved this book. It is very descriptive about the trials and tribulations Susannah went through. You really feel for her and the stuff she had to go through. I loved how descriptive she was with explaining how the doctor did the brain biopsy and her story is truly inspiring.
I also paired this book with watching the movie on Netflix. It really adds to the story. I highly recommend both!
I also paired this book with watching the movie on Netflix. It really adds to the story. I highly recommend both!
A great example of how perserverance and finding the right doctor makes all the difference in dealing with medical issues.
A well written, gripping tale of a 20-something's plunge into what appeared to be mental illness. Sheds light on the stigma associated with mental illness but also the lack of in depth analysis done when a "one off" type situation arises in our medical life.
A quick, must read!
A quick, must read!
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