Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by ... - Goodreads

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness is a 2012 autobiography by writer Susannah Cahalan. The book narrates Cahalan's wakes up in a hospital with no memory of the ... Goodreadshelpsyoukeeptrackofbooksyouwanttoread. Startbymarking“BrainonFire:MyMonthofMadness”asWanttoRead: WanttoRead saving… WanttoRead CurrentlyReading Read Othereditions Enlargecover WanttoRead saving… Errorratingbook.Refreshandtryagain. Ratethisbook Clearrating 1of5stars2of5stars3of5stars4of5stars5of5stars OpenPreview SeeaProblem? We’dloveyourhelp. Letusknowwhat’swrongwiththispreviewof BrainonFirebySusannahCahalan. Problem: It’sthewrongbook It’sthewrongedition Other Details(ifother):   Cancel Thanksfortellingusabouttheproblem. ReturntoBookPage Notthebookyou’relookingfor? Preview—BrainonFire bySusannahCahalan BrainonFire:MyMonthofMadness by SusannahCahalan(GoodreadsAuthor) 4.07  ·  Ratingdetails ·  193,052 ratings  ·  13,953 reviews Anaward-winningmemoirandinstantNewYorkTimesbestsellerthatgoesfarbeyonditsrivetingmedicalmystery,BrainonFireisthepowerfulaccountofonewoman’sstruggletorecaptureheridentity.Whentwenty-four-year-oldSusannahCahalanwokeupaloneinahospitalroom,strappedtoherbedandunabletomoveorspeak,shehadnomemoryofhowshe’dgottenthere.Day Anaward-winningmemoirandinstantNewYorkTimesbestsellerthatgoesfarbeyonditsrivetingmedicalmystery,BrainonFireisthepowerfulaccountofonewoman’sstruggletorecaptureheridentity.Whentwenty-four-year-oldSusannahCahalanwokeupaloneinahospitalroom,strappedtoherbedandunabletomoveorspeak,shehadnomemoryofhowshe’dgottenthere.Daysearlier,shehadbeenonthethresholdofanew,adultlife:atthebeginningofherfirstseriousrelationshipandapromisingcareeratamajorNewYorknewspaper.Nowshewaslabeledviolent,psychotic,aflightrisk.Whathappened?Inaswiftandbreathtakingnarrative,Cahalantellstheastonishingtruestoryofherdescentintomadness,herfamily’sinspiringfaithinher,andthelifesavingdiagnosisthatnearlydidn’thappen. ...more GetACopy KindleStore $12.99 AmazonStores ▾AudibleBarnes&NobleWalmarteBooksAppleBooksGooglePlayAbebooksBookDepositoryAlibrisIndigoBetterWorldBooksIndieBoundThriftbooksLibraries Hardcover,250pages Published November13th2012 byFreePress MoreDetails... OriginalTitle BrainonFire:MyMonthofMadness ISBN 145162137X (ISBN13:9781451621372) EditionLanguage English Setting NewYork(State) (UnitedStates) LiteraryAwards SanFranciscoBookFestivalNomineeforBiography/Autobiography(Runner-Up)(2013) OtherEditions(55) AllEditions | AddaNewEdition | Combine ...LessDetail EditDetails FriendReviews Toseewhatyourfriendsthoughtofthisbook, pleasesignup. ReaderQ&A Toaskotherreadersquestionsabout BrainonFire, pleasesignup. PopularAnsweredQuestions Doyouhavethisbook?Itseemsreallyinteresting. 5likes · like 7yearsago Seeall7answers TatianaRuban Yes,Ido.Thisisveryinterestingstory.Thehuman'sbrainisunpredictableandweneverknowwhatcouldhappenonthenextday.…moreYes,Ido.Thisisveryinterestingstory.Thehuman'sbrainisunpredictableandweneverknowwhatcouldhappenonthenextday.(less) flag Icannotaccesstothecontent. WhatshouldIdo? 4likes · like 7yearsago Seeall2answers Kally Checkthelibrary. flag Seeall16questionsaboutBrainonFire… ListswithThisBook MedicineandLiterature 1,742books — 1,957voters WomenandMentalIllness(fictionandnonfiction) 1,030books — 2,031voters Morelistswiththisbook... CommunityReviews Showing1-30 Averagerating 4.07  ·  Ratingdetails  ·  193,052 ratings  ·  13,953 reviews AllLanguagesDeutsch‎(8) Eesti‎(4) English‎(13343) Español‎(14) Français‎(6) Lietuviųkalba‎(19) Magyar‎(2) Nederlands‎(9) Norsk‎(3) Polski‎(3) Português‎(7) Pусскийязык‎(2) Slovenčina‎(1) Svenska‎(6) Türkçe‎(13) hrvatski‎(1) česky,čeština‎(1) العربية‎(13) فارسی‎(5) 中文‎(1) Morefilters  |  Sortorder StartyourreviewofBrainonFire:MyMonthofMadnessWriteareview Nov29,2012 BonnieJean ratedit itwasamazing Recommendsitfor: Nurses,anyone. Itookcareofapatientwiththistragicandintriguingdisorder.Hercomplexandterrifyingjourneythroughthisdiseaseinongoing.Overthecourseofcaringforher,hersistermentionedthisbook.Inthisraredisorder,peopleoftenpassthrougharangeofbizarrepsychiatricsymptomsthatleadtocatatoniaandthenoftendeathasthebodybecomesunabletoregulateitself,aswiththepatientIcaredforinICU.Withtheyoungwomanwhowrotethisbook,youseeherpassthroughvarioussta Itookcareofapatientwiththistragicandintriguingdisorder.Hercomplexandterrifyingjourneythroughthisdiseaseinongoing.Overthecourseofcaringforher,hersistermentionedthisbook.Inthisraredisorder,peopleoftenpassthrougharangeofbizarrepsychiatricsymptomsthatleadtocatatoniaandthenoftendeathasthebodybecomesunabletoregulateitself,aswiththepatientIcaredforinICU.Withtheyoungwomanwhowrotethisbook,youseeherpassthroughvariousstagesofpsychosis--hallucinations,actingout,narcissisms--thatbaffleeveryonearoundheruntilonedayshehasaseizureandisfinallyadmittedtoahospital.Therestofthebookisaraceagainsttimeasherfamilyandthehealthcareprofessionalsaroundhertrytosolvehermysteriousillnessandultimatelysaveherlifeinthenickoftime.Sheconsidersherselfincrediblylucky,andwrotethisbooktoraiseawarenessaboutpeopleelsewherewhomaybemisdiagnosed.It'sincrediblywellwritten,andtheauthordoesaremarkablejobaboutbeingopenandhonest,inevenunflatteringways,tobetruetothestoryandtopresentanaccuratepictureofjustwhatthisterrifyingdiseasecandotoyou.Itwasapage-turner--anditwasalsoalltrue.Afinebalanceofpersonalstoryblendedwithrealscience.Lovedthisbook;couldn'tputitdown,andwentbacktoworkwitharenewedsenseofpurpose. ...more flag 564likes · Like  · seereview Viewall29comments Aug02,2012 WillByrnes ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Recommendsitfor: JimMcCasland Shelves: nonfiction, psychology-and-the-brain, psychology, memoir SusannahCahalan,ayoungjournalistworkingatagreat(oknotsogreat,kindaschlockyactually)metropolitannewspaper,suddenlynoticesthingsgoingawry.Shestartshavingepisodesofparanoia,becomeshypersensitivetosound,lightandcold.Shesuffersfromlossofappetiteandbeginshavingout-of-bodyexperiencesandwildmoodswings.AtourofNewYorkpsychandneuroprosdidnotyieldmuchmorethanasuspicionthatshehadbeenpartyingtoohard.Ontheotherhand,grandmalseizure SusannahCahalan,ayoungjournalistworkingatagreat(oknotsogreat,kindaschlockyactually)metropolitannewspaper,suddenlynoticesthingsgoingawry.Shestartshavingepisodesofparanoia,becomeshypersensitivetosound,lightandcold.Shesuffersfromlossofappetiteandbeginshavingout-of-bodyexperiencesandwildmoodswings.AtourofNewYorkpsychandneuroprosdidnotyieldmuchmorethanasuspicionthatshehadbeenpartyingtoohard.Ontheotherhand,grandmalseizurescanbesoconvincing.SusannahCahalan-imagefromReader'sDigestCahalan’sisataleofsurvival.Itisamazing,inthe21stcentury,howmuchwedonotknowaboutthehumanbrain.MaybetheStarTrekpeoplewerewrong.Maybethebrainistherealfinalfrontier.Itsureseemslikealotoftheweaponsbeingusedtodayareasoldfashionedasspearsandtomahawks.ItisCahalan’sjourneythroughthishostileenvironmentthatisoneofthemainfocihere.Shewasdiagnosedbyseriousprofessionalsashavingpartiedtoohard,asbeingbipolar,schizophrenic,psychoticandprobablyafewmorefunthingsfromtheDSMmanual.Herstoryisalmostlikeamystery,withclues,redherrings,suspects,goodguysandbad…well,therearenotreallyanybadguys,justuninformedmedicalpros.Goodguysincludeabfmadeofsolidgold,andseveralofthedocswholookintoheroddcase.Dadstandsprettytallaswell.Onewayyoucantellthepioneersisbythearrowsintheirbacks.IntermsofwhatCahalanisfinallydiagnosedwithitisclearthatmanyofthosepioneersdidnotsurvive.Thereisapointintheprogressofthisparticulardisease(yes,theydofindwhatailsher)beyondwhichthedamageistooseveretostepback.Cahalancomesthrough,damagedbutrecovering.Sowhatarewetomakeofallthis?Cahalan’sisdefinitelyastorythatcomesfromtheheart.Shehadtostruggletoreconstructeventsfromherlife,eventsforwhichshewaspresent,inwhichshewasevenanactor,buteventsforwhichsheretainednomemory.Scarystuff.HerjourneythroughthemedicalIndianterritorywasfrighteningandherarrivalatFortDiagnosiswasuplifting.Welearnsomethingnewabouttheworldandtheinformationhasimplicationsforawideswathofmaladies.Mightitbethatmanywhoarediagnosedwithautism,say,orschizophrenia,mighthaveatreatable,biological,asopposedtopsychological,disease?Itmight.Consideryourhorizonexpanded.Thereisasmatteringofscienceinthebook,maybenotenoughformytaste,butcertainlynottoomuch,andwhatisthereissimpleandunderstandable,evenforthoseofuswhosemedicalexpertisestopswheretherulesofMiltonBradley’sOperationend.Onecrucialelementhereisthepersonalityofthenarrator.HowwefeelaboutCahalancanaffectourreactiontothebookoverall.Herewerunintobitofateratoma.Ididnotfeelmuchforthisparticularperson.Whilesheiscertainlybright,andwriteswell,Igottheimpressionthatshewasnotexactlythebestpossiblehumanbeing.Duringoneofherepisodes,Cahalanthrewrepeatedfitsinacar,whilewithherfamily.Itwaslikeaspoiledchildonsteroidsandmeth.Itisanappallingscene,yetseriouslymitigatedbythefactthatthispersonisnotwell.However,itdoesmakeonewonderabouthowthemanifestationsofthisdiseasereflecttheunderlyingperson.Hermotherlaterrecounts:“Oh,andyouweretotallynuts.Youwalkedintoarestaurantanddemandedfood.Justdemandedit.AlthoughIguessit’snottoofaroutsideyournormalpersonality.”Sorry,butitistoughtorootrealhardforsuchaperson.Cahalandoesofferabitofperspective,withinfoonsomeotherpeoplewhohavebeendiagnosedwithherdisease.Buttherewasnothingthereindicatingacorrelation,ornot,betweendisease-drivenbehaviorandthepersonalityofthesufferer.Isupposeitshouldnotmatter.Evenobnoxiouspeopledonotdeservesuchslingsandarrows.Oneaspectofthisdiseaseisthatitcanseriouslyimpairmemory,removingsomethatarethere,andmakingitdifficulttoimpossibletoformnewones.EventhoughIwasnotallthattakenwithMissCahalanasaperson,sheisagoodwriterwithafascinatingtaletotell,onewithimplicationsfarbeyondherpersonaljourney.Iwillnotsoonforgetit.Reviewfirstposted-August,2012Published-November13,2012 =============================EXTRASTUFFLinkstotheauthor’spersonal,Instagram,andTwitterpagesItemofInterest-----Teratoma–thereasonforusingthatparticularwordisthatmanysufferersofAnti-NMDAreceptorencephalitisoftenhavehadsuchtumorspriortoonsetofthedisease.CSdidnot.IfearlesslycutandpastedthefffromWikipedia-Ateratomaisanencapsulatedtumorwithtissueororgancomponentsresemblingnormalderivativesofallthreegermlayers.Thetissuesofateratoma,althoughnormalinthemselves,maybequitedifferentfromsurroundingtissuesandmaybehighlydisparate;teratomashavebeenreportedtocontainhair,teeth,boneand,veryrarely,morecomplexorganssuchaseyes,[1][2]torso,[3][4]andhands,feet,orotherlimbs. ...more flag 364likes · Like  · seereview Viewall52comments Tweetybird NowI’mgoingtohavetoreadthisbook.IhaveacousinwhosewifeisinherfiftiesbutjustasCovidstarted,herneurologicalsymptomshadherso NowI’mgoingtohavetoreadthisbook.IhaveacousinwhosewifeisinherfiftiesbutjustasCovidstarted,herneurologicalsymptomshadhersoill,thatshehadtobeputintolongtermcare.Maybeshehasthishard-to-diagnosedisease?I’llhavetoreadtoseeifthesymptomsmaymatch.Ifit’ssomethingtheycantestfor,it’simportantthatitbefoundbeforethediseasecanprogresstotheliteral‘pointofnoreturn’.Oh,andIagreewithyouthattheNewYorkPostisprettymuchTheNationalEnquirer—butevermoredangerousbecausethetreacherousPostmasqueradesasactualnews. ...more May10,202211:00AM · flag WillByrnes Hopeyourcousin'swifehassomethingelse,somethingmoretreatable.thetreacherousPostmasqueradesasactualnewsLikethatotherRupertMurdochout Hopeyourcousin'swifehassomethingelse,somethingmoretreatable.thetreacherousPostmasqueradesasactualnewsLikethatotherRupertMurdochoutlet ...more May10,202212:53PM · flag Mar26,2015 J.L.Sutton ratedit reallylikedit “Thebrainisamonstrous,beautifulmess.”Losingbigchunksofyourmemoryisabitlikelosingwhoyouareorwhoyouthoughtyouwere.Becauseofararecondition,SusannahCahalancomesclosetolosingbothherlifeandsanitybeforemakingarecovery.WhatIfoundmostinterestingabouttherecoveryshedetailsinBrainonFire:MyMonthofMadness;however,isthequestionofwhetherwe'vecometotheotherendoftherabbitholeandarestillwhowethinkweare.Howcanwetell?Cahalan “Thebrainisamonstrous,beautifulmess.”Losingbigchunksofyourmemoryisabitlikelosingwhoyouareorwhoyouthoughtyouwere.Becauseofararecondition,SusannahCahalancomesclosetolosingbothherlifeandsanitybeforemakingarecovery.WhatIfoundmostinterestingabouttherecoveryshedetailsinBrainonFire:MyMonthofMadness;however,isthequestionofwhetherwe'vecometotheotherendoftherabbitholeandarestillwhowethinkweare.Howcanwetell?Cahalanreliesonfriendsandfamilytotellhersheiswhoshewas.Thiswasn'tthefocusofthestory,butitintriguedmebecausehowcananyoneoutsideofourselvesknowifourpersonality,ourintelligence,ourwayoflookingattheworldhasbeenaltered. ...more flag 193likes · Like  · seereview Viewall11comments Nov07,2012 Nancy ratedit itwasamazing Irarelyreadmemoirs.Toooftentheauthorspendsfartoomuchtimepaintingthemselvesinthebestpossiblelightand/orjustifyingtheirbehavior.Itisarareandgiftedauthorthatcanobjectivelydescribeapersonaleventwithoutinfusingitwithstrongemotions.PerhapsSusannahwasabletoaccomplishthishugefeatduetothesimplefactthatshewasunawareofherselfmuchofthetimethatherbrainwasinflamed.Shebeginswiththefirstnoticeablesymptom;acoupleofbedbugbitestha Irarelyreadmemoirs.Toooftentheauthorspendsfartoomuchtimepaintingthemselvesinthebestpossiblelightand/orjustifyingtheirbehavior.Itisarareandgiftedauthorthatcanobjectivelydescribeapersonaleventwithoutinfusingitwithstrongemotions.PerhapsSusannahwasabletoaccomplishthishugefeatduetothesimplefactthatshewasunawareofherselfmuchofthetimethatherbrainwasinflamed.Shebeginswiththefirstnoticeablesymptom;acoupleofbedbugbitesthatwereprobablyhallucinationsandescalatesfromthere.Someofitremembersinbitsandpiecesrightupuntilhermajorseizurewhichwasn'taprettypicture,nordidshetrytopaintitassuch.Rushedtothehospital,hermindisblankforthenextmonthuntilsheiscorrectlydiagnosedandbeginstheslowhealingprocess.IfoundSusannah'sstoryabsolutelyfascinating.Shefairlybalancesherexperienceswithsimplemedicalterminology,citesdoctorsnotesandtriestopiecetogetherachronologicalpictureofhersickness,interactionswiththosewholoveher,andhospitalvideo.Shedescribesherintenseandinsanemindsetwithoutpreviouslyestablishingherbasicpersonality.Thisisanexcellentstrategyasherwritingstyleandbrief"normal"clearlydefinesherasanintelligentandengagingyoungwoman.Thefactthatsheisconfidentenoughtoallowthereadertoarriveatthisconclusionendearedhertomeallthemorebytrustingthereader.AlthoughIrecoilwhenanauthorwritesabookwithanagenda,Susannah'sagendaissimplyawarenessofthepossibilitythatmentalillnesscanbephysiologicalinnature,causedbyavirusorbacteria,changingthepersonalityofapersontosuchanextremethatmentalillnessisdiagnosedandthepersonspendstherestofherlifeinaninstitution.Susannahwasgreatlyblessedbyintersectingwithadoctorwhohadrecentlymadethediscoveryofthismalady.It'sanamazingstoryandSusannahisanextremelygiftedwriter.ThisreaderwasstunnedtodothemathonSusannah'sage.Shewas24whenshefellvictimtothisillnessandnomorethan27or28whenshereconstructedthetimeperiodandwrotethebook.Ican'twaittoseewhatelseshepublishes. ...more flag 180likes · Like  · seereview Viewall8comments Feb26,2021 Swaroop ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition "atouchofmadness...""Weareintheendthesumofourparts,andwhenthebodyfails,allthevirtuesweholddeargowithit."BrainofFire:MyMonthofMadnessisamemoirwrittenbySusannahCahalan.Thewriter,whowasworkingfortheNewYorkPostatthattime,detailsinthebookherstrugglewitharareformofauto-immunedisease,whichisatypeofbraininflammation,calledencephalitis.Thebookiswell-written–informative,engagingandvaluable.Astheauthorherselfpointsout "atouchofmadness...""Weareintheendthesumofourparts,andwhenthebodyfails,allthevirtuesweholddeargowithit."BrainofFire:MyMonthofMadnessisamemoirwrittenbySusannahCahalan.Thewriter,whowasworkingfortheNewYorkPostatthattime,detailsinthebookherstrugglewitharareformofauto-immunedisease,whichisatypeofbraininflammation,calledencephalitis.Thebookiswell-written–informative,engagingandvaluable.Astheauthorherselfpointsout,herrecoveryfromthediseasecanbeconsideredasoneoftherarestcases,asdespitebeingmisdiagnosedbyvariouswell-knownphysiciansandpsychologists,SusannahCahalanwasfortunatetobetreatedandthenrightlydiagnosedduetotheeffortsofseveralphysiciansattheNYUhospital,includingtheSyrian-Americanneurologist,DrSouhelNajjar.Thislifestorypointsoutthatitissoimportanttounderstandandproperlydiagnoseeverycase,bygivingindividualattentiontopersonalcircumstances.Itisalsovitalnottoprejudgethesymptoms–indicatorssuchaspsychosis,delusionsandhallucinationsneednotalwaysbeamentaldisorderlikeschizophrenia,bipolarorschizoaffective.Thismemoiralsogiveshopethatwhendiagnosedandtreatedproperly,theaffectedpersoncanrecovercompletelyandleadanormallife.Here`smytrueandsincerewish:: Wheninneed,mayeveryonebefortunatetofindasensibleandsensitivedoctor(likeDrNajjar),whotruly‘listens`andunderstands! (TheGoodDoctor,©AasthaSoni) ...more flag 171likes · Like  · seereview Viewall14comments May31,2018 Matthew ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: library, non-fiction, 2018, hoopla, audio, biography IusedtooccasionallywatchashowcalledMysteryDiagnosiswheresomeonewouldcomedownwiththestrangestdiseasewiththeweirdestsymptoms.Theywouldgofromdoctortodoctorbeingmisdiagnosedeverytime.Intheend,abrilliantdoctorwhospecializesinthestrangestailmentswouldcorrectlydiagnosethepatientwithararediseasethataffects1inabillionpeople.Thisbookisbasicallyanepisodeofthatshow.Also,IamtoldthattheshowHousewaslikethat,butIneversawit.The IusedtooccasionallywatchashowcalledMysteryDiagnosiswheresomeonewouldcomedownwiththestrangestdiseasewiththeweirdestsymptoms.Theywouldgofromdoctortodoctorbeingmisdiagnosedeverytime.Intheend,abrilliantdoctorwhospecializesinthestrangestailmentswouldcorrectlydiagnosethepatientwithararediseasethataffects1inabillionpeople.Thisbookisbasicallyanepisodeofthatshow.Also,IamtoldthattheshowHousewaslikethat,butIneversawit.Theplightoftheauthorisenthrallingbutscary.Everythingthathappenstoherwillmakeyourealizehoweasilyournormallivescouldbeturnedupsidedown.Thisisnotabookforthequeasyorsomeonewithhypochondriactendencies.Thedescriptionsinthebookarerawandterrifying.OneotherthingIwillcaution,notreallygoodorbad,itjustdependsonyourtaste,isthatthebookisveryclinical.AfterreadingIalmostfeellikeIcouldgooutanddiagnosethisconditionmyself.Ifyoupreferyournon-fictioninlayman'sterms,thismaynotbethebookforyou.Ifyoulikemysteriousandterrifyinglytruetalesofthehumanbodyturningagainstitself,andtheplightoftheinnocentsoulwithin,Iexpectyouwillfindthisbookveryintriguing. ...more flag 159likes · Like  · seereview Viewall25comments Feb19,2013 JenMcLeod ratedit itwasok Youcouldprobablycallthisagreatpieceofinvestigativereporting.Unfortunatelyforme,itwasinsteadlabelledasamemoir,leavingmefeelingexasperatedandmislead.IguessIwashopingforsomethingakintothemoreenjoyablememoirsthatI'veread(I'mthinkingTheGlassCastlebyJeanetteWalls,orevenMemoirsofaGeishabyArthurGolden,whichisnotsomuchmemoirasitisfictionbasedonmemoir-besidethepoint).Thiswasmorelikeanexcruciatinglylongnewspaperarticle,ch Youcouldprobablycallthisagreatpieceofinvestigativereporting.Unfortunatelyforme,itwasinsteadlabelledasamemoir,leavingmefeelingexasperatedandmislead.IguessIwashopingforsomethingakintothemoreenjoyablememoirsthatI'veread(I'mthinkingTheGlassCastlebyJeanetteWalls,orevenMemoirsofaGeishabyArthurGolden,whichisnotsomuchmemoirasitisfictionbasedonmemoir-besidethepoint).Thiswasmorelikeanexcruciatinglylongnewspaperarticle,chockedfulloftoomuchmedicaljargonandtheorytobeenjoyable.Iwasreallyhopingforsomethingwitty,funny,anecdotal,interspersedwithchildhoodmemoriesmaybe.Instead,it'saboutthemostlinear,dully-writtenthingI'vereadinaverylongtime.Thestory(actually,it'smoreofasoullessrecordingofevents)startswiththeonsetofsymptoms-wehavenocontextforwhatthewriterwaslikepriortothiseventinherlife,andthuslosesomeoftheimpliedcontrast.Thelackofdescriptioninthebook(I'mabigfanofHemingway'sicebergtheory,butit'sbasedontheassumptionthatthereisacommonhumanexperienceonwhichonecaninferthingsthatarenotwritten-havingacompletelydebilitatingbraindiseaseisnotapartofthatcommonexperience,thusweneedthingsspelledoutforus)leavesabigdividebetweenwriterandreader.OneofthethingsthatIwasalwaystoldaboutgoodwritingisthatthewritershouldshowratherthantell.Thisbookisalltelling.Havingjustfinishedthis(inadayandahalfbecauseIwantedtomoveontosomethingmoreenjoyable)I'mreallyconfusedbythe4.08Goodreadsrating.Thismeansit'sbeensetbetween"Ilovedit"and"itwasamazing".Thatjustseemslikeareallybigstretchforme.Theexcessofsentencefragmentsaloneshoulddisqualifyitfrombeinganythingabovea3-starrating.Thebookmarkedlylacksanysortofstyleorwriter'svoice.It'svery...singular.InoteddowntwosentencethatIthoughtwereabitridiculousandmoreorlesssummedupthewholebookforme:Whenspeakingabouthermother,"Shewasterrifiedofevenhearingaboutcancerontheradio..."Ithinkthewritermeantthathermotherbecame"terrified"whensheheardaboutcancerontheradio.Otherwise,sheisdescribinganirrationalfearoftheradio."...everyonearoundmestruggledinternallytokeepthesuperficialflowofwordsgoingwhilealsoconcentratingonignoringtheobviouspinkelephantintheroom:myshockingstate."Problemwords:internally,superficial,obvious,"myshockingstate".Whatahorridsentence.I'msogladtobefinishedthis. ...more flag 123likes · Like  · seereview Viewall76comments Nov26,2017 Petra:onhiatusduetofeelingterriblywiliky ratedit likedit Diagnosedschizophrenic.Psychoticorthevictimofthegreedofdrugcompanies?ThelastbookIreadwasStir:MyBrokenBrainandtheMealsThatBroughtMeHome,anexperienceofbrainaneurysmandrecovery.Itwasveryso-sobuttheauthor'sappealingpersonalityaddedmuchtothebook.IhopedthatBrainonFire,inthesamegenre,wouldbebetter.Theauthor'spersonalitydidn'tshinethrough,butthismighthavebeenafactthatshelostherselfwithherillness.Theillness,arare,auto-i Diagnosedschizophrenic.Psychoticorthevictimofthegreedofdrugcompanies?ThelastbookIreadwasStir:MyBrokenBrainandtheMealsThatBroughtMeHome,anexperienceofbrainaneurysmandrecovery.Itwasveryso-sobuttheauthor'sappealingpersonalityaddedmuchtothebook.IhopedthatBrainonFire,inthesamegenre,wouldbebetter.Theauthor'spersonalitydidn'tshinethrough,butthismighthavebeenafactthatshelostherselfwithherillness.Theillness,arare,auto-immunediseaseofthebrainseemstomimicschizophreniaandyoucouldseethiswhenitwasfull-blown.However,whatwasnotclarifiedwaswhentheauthorwasnutsandwhenshewasseriouslyill.Beforeherillnessitbecomesapparentthatshemightgotoworkcleanandneat,butherapartmentisfilthyandsheisahoarder.Herfirstsymptomwasthatofseeingabedbugbiteonherarm(giventhestateofherapartmentyoucouldseethathersheetsprobablyhadn'tbeenwashedinmonths)butnooneelsecouldseethebedbugbite.Ididwonderaboutherboyfriend,whyhehadenabledhertolivelikeamentally-illpersonbeforesheactuallywas.Whyhadn'thecleanedtheplaceifshewasincapableofit?Orgotinacleaner,wearetalkingverywealthypeoplehere.Theauthormakesanexcellentpointinthatmanypeoplelivingwith'schizophrenia'mightactuallyhavethesame,easilycurablebraindisease,buttheprocessofdiagnosiswasveryexpensive,althoughnowonewouldhopethatthereareprotocolstofollowtoruleitoutbeforelabellingsomeonepsychotic-for-life.Thetreatmentwasbeyondmostpeople'smeans,andmostinsurancecompanieswouldhavebailedoutlongbefore$20,000abagdripsweregiven.ThisiswhereItakeissuewiththeexpense.IwasrecentlystuckinFloridaunabletogethomebecauseofIrmaandthedamagetoairportsetc.ThereisamedicationIneed,Igetitonprescriptionandpay$6perpack.(Igotsomeyesterdayontheisland,price-gouging,now$12).IranoutwhileIwasintheUS.NormallyUSpharmacistswillnotfulfilanon-USprescriptionandIwouldhavetoseeadoctortogetanewonebutemergencyregulationsletmehaveamonth'sprescription.$250.ThepharmaceuticalcompanieshadBush'spermissiontochargewhatevertheypleased.Soonmyislandtheypharmacy'sweremakingaprofitsellingthedrugsat$6,andintheUStheinsurancecompanieswerebeingaskedtopayout$250fortheexactsamemedicationintheexactsamepackaging.Somaybepeoplewerebeingdiagnosedasschizophrenicsratherthanhavingabraininflammationbecauseofthegreedofthedrugcompaniesandthedesireofinsurancecompaniestoputprofitsbeforehealth?Isthisnotasicksociety?Thebookwasanokread.Medicalmysterysolved.Prettygirlgoesbacktoworkandbecomescelebratedauthor.Itcouldhavebeenbetter.Theauthorcouldhavecollaboratedwiththebrilliantdoctorwhodiagnosedhertopresentaproperchecklistofsymptomsandofteststobedone,sothatotherpeoplemighthaveabetterchanceofdiagnosis.Forthis,it'sjustthreestars.I'mgoingbacktoFloridanextweekjustforalittlebreakfromthisawfulpost-Irmathird-worldliving.IfImovethere,itwouldbecheaperformetoflyuptotheCaribbeaneveryothermonthtogettheprescriptionthantogetitintheUS. ...more flag 117likes · Like  · seereview Viewall14comments Mar26,2017 Emily(BookswithEmilyFox) ratedit likedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Interestingandterrifyingread. flag 106likes · Like  · seereview View1comment Apr15,2013 Siew ratedit itwasamazing Wonderful,wonderfulbook.I'maneurologist,andit'samazingtoseeabookwrittenfromapatient'sperspective,especiallyonewithasuchagoodoutcome.Thebookprogressesfromthestartingofthediseaseprocessandrightuptotherecoverystage.It'sunnervingtoreadaboutthepsychoticepisodes,thecomplexpartialseizures,thegeneralisedseizuresandultimately,thecatatonia.Itmusthavebeenveryfrighteningforboththeauthorandherlovedonestowitnessallofthoseeventsu Wonderful,wonderfulbook.I'maneurologist,andit'samazingtoseeabookwrittenfromapatient'sperspective,especiallyonewithasuchagoodoutcome.Thebookprogressesfromthestartingofthediseaseprocessandrightuptotherecoverystage.It'sunnervingtoreadaboutthepsychoticepisodes,thecomplexpartialseizures,thegeneralisedseizuresandultimately,thecatatonia.Itmusthavebeenveryfrighteningforboththeauthorandherlovedonestowitnessallofthoseeventsunfolding.Scientifically,thebookiswell-researched,andIlovehowthemedicalstermsareexplainedwithoutjargons.IparticularlylovethepartwheretheauthordescribeshowIVIGsareproduced.Thatbeingsaid,Idoubtthesignificanceofthevisualneglectasshownwiththeclockfacedrawing,anditwaswrittenasifthevisualneglectledtothediagnosisofautoimmuneencephalitis.Iguess,perhaps,thevisualneglectcountsas'focalneurology'--hardevidencethatsomething'swrongwiththe'hardware'i.e.thebrain,andthatwouldhavepromptedthedoctorstolookharderforanorganiccauseofthepsychosisandhallucinations.Thisbooktrulyhighlightsthatdoctorsshouldalwaysbeawarethatthereareorganicpossibilitiestoconsiderbeforebouncingso-calledpsychoticepisodesovertothepsychiatrist.ItrulyhopethatthethousandsandthousandsofpatientswithNMDA-Rantibodyencephalitisandtheirrelativeswouldfindcomfortinthisbook,andthattheycomeacrossbrilliantandcompassionateneurologistswhowouldchampiontheirplight.Onthefinalnote,I'mgladforallthewonderfulworkthatDrDalmauhasdoneinthefieldofautoimmuneencephalitis,andtheauthor'srecoveryistestamenttohowwellpatientswiththesameconditioncouldfare.Withouthimandhisgroup,manypatientswouldhavebeenlockedupinapsychiatrichospitaloranursinghomewithoutanyreprievedespitethefactthatNMDA-Rantibodyencephalitis*is*atreatablecondition.P/S:IreadtheverysameLancetpaperbyJosefDalmauwhenIwaslookinguponhowtotreatthisdisease,andIstillpassthesameabstractaroundwhencolleaguesfromotherhospitals&specialtiesaskmeaboutgoodpaperstoreadregardingNMDA-Rantibodyencephalitis. ...more flag 79likes · Like  · seereview Viewall6comments Sep29,2015 JonathanAshleigh ratedit itwasok Shelves: recent Whenyoureadyouenteranotherworld,and—assomeonewhoisuncomfortable(witheventheideaapparently)ofcaregiving—enteringtheworldofhospitalsforthemajorityofthisbookwaspainfulforme.Beyondthat,Iwasunimpressedwiththepopculturementionedthroughoutthebook—shedescribedsomeoneaslookinglikeacharacterfrom“MadMen”andsheevenusesGoogleasaverb.ThepartwheresheinterviewsJohnWalshwasprobablytheonlypartthatIfoundtrulyenjoyable.Thefirst Whenyoureadyouenteranotherworld,and—assomeonewhoisuncomfortable(witheventheideaapparently)ofcaregiving—enteringtheworldofhospitalsforthemajorityofthisbookwaspainfulforme.Beyondthat,Iwasunimpressedwiththepopculturementionedthroughoutthebook—shedescribedsomeoneaslookinglikeacharacterfrom“MadMen”andsheevenusesGoogleasaverb.ThepartwheresheinterviewsJohnWalshwasprobablytheonlypartthatIfoundtrulyenjoyable.Thefirsthalfofthebookplayslikeamysteryastowhatiswrongwithherandthenmidwaythroughyoufindoutwhatitisandtherestofthebookdescribestherecoverywheresheincessantlywondersifshewilleverbebacktonormalandfearswhatothersthinkofher.AsIgotmostofthewaythrough,IfeltIneededtofinishittofindoutiftheboyfriendleavesheroriftheygetmarriedandIdidn’treallyeverfindout.ItmighthavebeenbecauseIdidn’tendupreadingallofthelastpages. ...more flag 74likes · Like  · seereview Viewall5comments Feb21,2013 Sagagirl ratedit itwasok Ifoundthisbooktroubling.Notbecauseofthemedicalmystery--thatwasthemostinterestingofall.Itseemsthatthebookwouldbebetterwritteninthethirdperson,bysomeoneotherthantheauthor/experiencerofthemadness.Byherownaccount,shecannotdescribewhatitfeltliketohaveherbrainbeonfire.Thebooksayssheusesjournalistictechniquestopiecetogether.Andyetthesetidbitsdropinwithoutmuchsenseofhowtheywerediscovered(exceptforthecaseofthevideota Ifoundthisbooktroubling.Notbecauseofthemedicalmystery--thatwasthemostinterestingofall.Itseemsthatthebookwouldbebetterwritteninthethirdperson,bysomeoneotherthantheauthor/experiencerofthemadness.Byherownaccount,shecannotdescribewhatitfeltliketohaveherbrainbeonfire.Thebooksayssheusesjournalistictechniquestopiecetogether.Andyetthesetidbitsdropinwithoutmuchsenseofhowtheywerediscovered(exceptforthecaseofthevideotapesintheepilepsyward).Therearesomereproductionsofnotesshescribbledandsomedoctors'notes,butthebookfeltremarkablylackingininsight.TheSyriandoctorwhomadethediagnosisisinteresting;wegetsome,butnotmuch.Intheabsenceofamorestraightforwardjournalisticaccounting,andintheabsenceofoursympathies(wedon'gettomeetCahalanpriortoherparanoia,sowedon'thaveanybaseline),Iwantedthebooktobereflective,philosophicalaboutthestateofmadness,aboutwhatcreatespeople'ssenseoftheirownmind,aboutparanoid.Noneofthathappened.Ifoundmyselfreadingtofinish,ratherthanreadingtoenjoy.Muchdisappointment,asthisseemsverymuchabookI'ddelightin. ...more flag 67likes · Like  · seereview Viewall11comments Nov28,2016 Barbara ratedit likedit 3.5starsSusannahCahalanAttheageof24SusannahCahalanwasdoingjustfine.Shewaslively,talkative,andfun-loving;sheworkedasareporterfortheNewYorkPost;shelivedinanapartmentinHell'sKitchen;andshehadagreatboyfriendnamedStephen.ThenSusannahbegantochange:sheforgottoprepareforanimportantworkmeeting;startedtogetmigraines;feltcompelledtosnoopthroughStephen'sthings;developednumbness.....thenpinsandneedles.Beforelongthesesymptomsmorph 3.5starsSusannahCahalanAttheageof24SusannahCahalanwasdoingjustfine.Shewaslively,talkative,andfun-loving;sheworkedasareporterfortheNewYorkPost;shelivedinanapartmentinHell'sKitchen;andshehadagreatboyfriendnamedStephen.ThenSusannahbegantochange:sheforgottoprepareforanimportantworkmeeting;startedtogetmigraines;feltcompelledtosnoopthroughStephen'sthings;developednumbness.....thenpinsandneedles.Beforelongthesesymptomsmorphedintointensecrying;ramblingspeech;facialgrimaces;chewingmotions;puppet-likemovements;aggressivebehavior;out-of-bodyexperiences;seizures;paranoia;anddelusions.SusannahCahalanbegantofeelparanoidSusanstartedtoimaginethatpeopleweresayingnastythingsabouther(ortoher)andbecameconvincedthatherfatherhadkilledhiswife(whowasalive).Intime,Susannahcouldhardlywalkorspeak.Susannahsawdoctorafterdoctorandhadnumerousmedicalandpsychologicaltests,butphysicianscouldn'tagreeonadiagnosis.Suggestionsincluded:excessivedrinkingandpartying;anxietyattacks;epilepsy;bipolardisorder;schizoiddisorder;schizophrenia;meningitis;encephalitis;andmore.Eventually,Susannahbrokedowncompletelyandhadtobehospitalized.Atthispoint,Susannah'lost'amonthofherlife.....shehasnomemoryofthisperiod.However,Susannahwasabletoreconstructthistimeusinghospitalvideos,doctors'files,interviewswithmedicalpersonnel,recollectionsoffriendsandfamily,andajournalkeptbyherparents.SusannahCahalanwasadmittedtothehospitalSusannahmighthavedescendedintopermanentpsychosis,orevendied-butwasluckyenoughtobediagnosedbyaSyrianneurologist,Dr.SouhelNajjar.Dr.SouhelNajjarDr.NajjardeterminedthatSusannahhadarareautoimmunedisordercalled"anti–NMDAreceptorautoimmuneencephalitis"-inshort,antibodiesfromSusannah'simmunesystemwereattackingherbrain.WhenSusannahwasaskedtodrawaclocksheputallthenumbersontherightside,showingthattherightsideofherbrainwasinflamed.SusannahCahalan'sbrainscanshowsdamageontherightsideSusannahCahalan'sclockdrawingindicatesdamagetotherightsideofthebrainDr.Najjarprescribedanintensiveandprolongedregimenofsteroiddrugs,whichultimatelyhaltedtheantibodyassaultonSusannah'shead.Thequestionremained.....couldsherecovercompletely?FortunatelySusannahhadenormoussupportfromherparents,stepparents,andStephen-aswellasexcellentmedicalcare(andgoodinsurance).SusannahdidrecoverandmarriedStephen,whohadsupportedherthroughtheentireordeal.SusannahCahalanmarriedherboyfriendStephenInthismemoirSusannahpresentsathoroughandvividdescriptionofherdescentinto'madness'andherdifficultstepbysteprecovery-whichrequiredhertore-learnhowtowalk,talk,andinteractwithpeople.Susannahalsoprovidesgeneralinformationaboutthebrain,howitworks,howmemoriesareformed,etc.Thisisinterestingandaccessibletothelayperson.SusannahCahalanisenormouslygratefultoherdoctor,SouhelNajjarSusannah'scasebecamea'causecelebre'-witharticlesinmedicaljournalsandnewspapersaswellastelevisionappearances.SusannahCahalanmadetelevisionappearancestospreadthewordaboutherautoimmunedisorderAsitturnsout,thewidespreadpublicitybenefittedpeoplewhosharedSusannah'sillness,butweremisdiagnosed.Somedoctors,seeingarticlesaboutanti–NMDAreceptorautoimmuneencephalitis,wereabletore-assesstheirpatients.Insomecases,thissavedlives.OneBIGlessonItookawayfromthisbookisthatit'sveryimportanttofindtherightdoctorandgetthecorrectdiagnosis.AsSusannahpointsout,peoplethroughouthistorywhowerethoughttobepsychoticmayhavehadanti–NMDAreceptorautoimmuneencephalitis.....orsomeotherorganicbraindisorder.Ofcoursethisistrueabouthealthissuesingeneral-ongoingresearchandnewinformationoftenshedslightonpreviously'mysterious'maladies.I'drecommendthisbooktoreadersinterestedinmemoirsaboutillnessandrecovery,especiallybraindisorders.ThisbookwasadaptedintoamoviestarringChloëGraceMoretz.Youcanfollowmyreviewsathttp://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/ ...more flag 59likes · Like  · seereview Viewall7comments Sep10,2014 PoPo ratedit didnotlikeit Thisreviewhasbeenhiddenbecauseitcontainsspoilers.Toviewit, clickhere. !Thefirsthalfwentlikethis,"what'swrongwithme?I'mgoingcrazy"restatedinaboutfivethousandways.ThenmidwaythroughthebookwefinallyfindoutSChasNMDA-receptorautoimmuneencephalitis,whichissometimesmisdiagnosedasschizophrenia(orschizoaffectivedisorderinSC'scase).Ireallywishthestorywasn'tpresentedasaMysteryDiagnosisoranepisodeofHouse.Justletusknowfromthebeginningwhatitisyousufferedfromandletthestoryunfoldfromthere.Thesecondhalf !Thefirsthalfwentlikethis,"what'swrongwithme?I'mgoingcrazy"restatedinaboutfivethousandways.ThenmidwaythroughthebookwefinallyfindoutSChasNMDA-receptorautoimmuneencephalitis,whichissometimesmisdiagnosedasschizophrenia(orschizoaffectivedisorderinSC'scase).Ireallywishthestorywasn'tpresentedasaMysteryDiagnosisoranepisodeofHouse.Justletusknowfromthebeginningwhatitisyousufferedfromandletthestoryunfoldfromthere.Thesecondhalfofthebookdiscussedherrecovery.Itwasanagonizingread,withthesetwoquestionsrehashedoverandoveragain:"willIeverbebacktomyoldself?"and"whatwillpeoplethinkofme?"Sheertorturetoexperiencealmost100pagesofinsecurity,wherethebigcrisesareasfollows:(1)notbeingabletosocializeandbe"outgoing"and"talkative"likebefore,(2)beingembarrassedtoliveathomewithmomandstepdadand(3)gaining50lbs,soshechoosestositinthebackofhercyclingclasswherenoonewouldnoticeher.Justughhhhh. ...more flag 56likes · Like  · seereview Viewall7comments Nov01,2016 Kelli ratedit likedit Shelves: audio Iamtheperfectaudienceforthisbook:acatastrophicthinkerwhoworriesaboutanyandallsensationalnews.IputoffreadingthisoneforagoodlongtimebecauseIwasafraid...thendecidedIhadbetterreadit,justincase.Icouldsavealifewiththisinformation!Ilistenedtotheaudio,whichfeltalittleflat.Itisimpressivetoconsiderthattheauthorhadtodosomuchinvestigativereportingtowriteherownstorysimplybecauseshedidn'trememberit,butthecombinationofthe Iamtheperfectaudienceforthisbook:acatastrophicthinkerwhoworriesaboutanyandallsensationalnews.IputoffreadingthisoneforagoodlongtimebecauseIwasafraid...thendecidedIhadbetterreadit,justincase.Icouldsavealifewiththisinformation!Ilistenedtotheaudio,whichfeltalittleflat.Itisimpressivetoconsiderthattheauthorhadtodosomuchinvestigativereportingtowriteherownstorysimplybecauseshedidn'trememberit,butthecombinationoftheaudiovoiceandthe20/20feelofthestoryleftmecravingamorepersonalconnection.PerhapsI'maskingtoomuch.Thestorywasgoodbutitreadveryheavyoninformationandlightonemotionsandrecovery.Iwillsaythatitisnothingshortofamiraclethatthisauthorishereandabletowrite.Ihopeherlifeisoneofgratitudeanddailyjoy.3stars ...more flag 61likes · Like  · seereview Viewall5comments Jan05,2015 jvpoore ratedit reallylikedit Shelves: donated, heyssel-classroom, student-recommended, memoirs IgenuinelycannotcomprehendthecourageandtenacityneededforMs.Cahalantohavegottenthroughthismedicalnightmare.Forhertohaveconquered,comethroughonlytodigdeepertoshareherterrifyingtimewiththegoalofhopingtohelpothersavoidtheconfusionandcontinuationofsufferingduetoignoranceandmisdiagnosis.....thisisthestuffofasuper-heroandMs.Cahalaniscertainlyoneofmine.Thisisaphenomenalreadforputtingthingsinperspective,formeanyway. flag 55likes · Like  · seereview Apr29,2017 LACantrell ratedit likedit Shelves: hot-mamas-book-club Itmightnotbethesexiestofsubjects,butIreallyhaveathingforneurology.Howourbillionsofbraincellsandtheirchemistryfunctionisstillagreatmystery,butalsotossinimmuneresponsesthathavegonehaywire,andtherearecomplexitiesherethatarebeyondfascinatingwhenunraveled.ThisistheJuneselectionforoneofmybookclubs,otherwiseitisunlikelythatthismemoirwouldhavedrawnmein,butIdidenjoyit.Oneofmyteenagerswasbornoverthreemonthspreterm,and Itmightnotbethesexiestofsubjects,butIreallyhaveathingforneurology.Howourbillionsofbraincellsandtheirchemistryfunctionisstillagreatmystery,butalsotossinimmuneresponsesthathavegonehaywire,andtherearecomplexitiesherethatarebeyondfascinatingwhenunraveled.ThisistheJuneselectionforoneofmybookclubs,otherwiseitisunlikelythatthismemoirwouldhavedrawnmein,butIdidenjoyit.Oneofmyteenagerswasbornoverthreemonthspreterm,andhavingasciencebackground,Iacquaintedmyselfonbasicpre-natalneurology.IneededtounderstandhowspendinghisthirdtrimesteroutsideofthewombandbeinginjureddailywithIVneedles,heelsticks,etcwasdifferentfrombeingprotectedinutero.Afterallthatreading16yearsago,I'maconfirmednutforbrainstuff.Yeah,no-notquiteazombie..butIdolovebrains.Asthetitleandpublisher'sblurbtellsyou,thisisthestoryofayoungwomanwhocamedownwitharareinflammationofonehemisphereofherbrain-probablycausedbysomesortofenvironmentaltrigger...abugbiteormaybeavirus..butalsotiedtoherownbody'suniqueimmunesystem.Thattheinflammationwasevenfoundwasinitselfararityinthatthesymptomsthatwentalongwithitwereextremelysimilartoschizophrenia.Hadshenothadaffluentparentstoadvocateforherandverygoodhealthinsurance,herstorymighthaveendedquitedifferently.Shementionstheinsurancecoverageabittowardtheend,butIkeptwonderingthroughouttheentirebookaboutthosewithlesserresources.TheIVinfusionsshereceivedcost$20,000perbag,andheroveralltreatmentcostwasover$1million.Shedidreportthepossibilitythatpeoplewhoarelivingwithschizophrenia(orevenautism)actuallymightnothavethatneurologicaldisorder,butbesufferingfrominflammationinstead.Soberingthought.Apretty,24yearoldwhitegirlwhoworksasareporterinNYCandhashighlyeducated,affluent,andtenaciousparentsismorelikelytofindamiraclediagnosisandtreatmentplanthanyouraverageguy.Thestorywasinteresting,butmissedsomepotential.Thewritingwasatouchredundant,butthenagain,itisprettygoodforsomeoneherageandwhohasovercomebrainissues.Thecontentandmessageweregreat-thedeliverywasokay.Asanaside,manyyearsagowhenIwasinelementaryschoolandcamehomewithchickenpox,Itransmittedtheillnesstomy13yearoldsister.Forafewdays,hersymptomsshadowedmine,butshesuddenlystartedravingwithhighfever.Sheleaptontothebed,jumpingandsnarling-almostanimal-like.Whenmypetitegrandmotherwenttosootheher,mysisterknockedhertothefloorandseemed,well,kindapsychotic.Whentheparamedicsarrived,theygaveherasedativeandloadedherontoagurneythattheycarrieddownthestairsfromoursharedbedroom.Ineversawheragain.Thechickenpoxhadmutatedintoencephalitis,andherimmuneresponsewentintooverdrive.Shewasbraindeadafterjustadaybutwaskeptalivesoherorganscouldbeharvestedforanotherchild.WHY?Whydidtheencephalitisnothitmybrainbutdidsohers?Immuneresponsesandpathogensandneurology....crypticstuff,butsomethingclosetomyownsortofwondering.I'mthrilledbeyondwordsthattheyoungauthorwasabletorecoveraswellasshedidandwasabletowritethisbook.Mayhergoodhealthcontinue! ...more flag 51likes · Like  · seereview Viewall6comments Nov23,2012 Pamela ratedit itwasamazing Istartedthisbooklastnight,andcouldn'tputitdownuntilIfinisheditthismorning.IknowherstoryalltoowellasI'vebeeninasimilardarkplacemyself.Aphasia,myoclonus,amnesia,jemaisvu,hyperesthesia,allodynia,hemiparesis,paresthesia,cognitiveimpairment,impairedexecutivefunction,depersonalization,neuropsychologicalassessments,hemiplegic,acephalgic--wordsthatbegantodefinemylifejustlastyear.Herstoryisaremarkableone,butasajournalist,Ibelievesh Istartedthisbooklastnight,andcouldn'tputitdownuntilIfinisheditthismorning.IknowherstoryalltoowellasI'vebeeninasimilardarkplacemyself.Aphasia,myoclonus,amnesia,jemaisvu,hyperesthesia,allodynia,hemiparesis,paresthesia,cognitiveimpairment,impairedexecutivefunction,depersonalization,neuropsychologicalassessments,hemiplegic,acephalgic--wordsthatbegantodefinemylifejustlastyear.Herstoryisaremarkableone,butasajournalist,Ibelieveshedownplayedtheemotionsthatthiskindofbrainsicknessevokes.Thefearthatcomeswithnotremembering,oflosingyourcognitiveabilities--unabletoread,write,makedecisions,followinstructions.Thedefeatfrominconclusivetests,doctorswithnoanswers,evendoubtingyourpsychologicalhealth.Theutterlossofself,ofwhatmakesyouYOU.Wonderingifyou'lleverbe"you"again,mourningthelossofwhoyouusedtobe.Finallythecelebration,thatturningpoint,thetriumphwhenyouovercomeyourobstaclestowritethatfirstarticleagain(orinmycasepassthatexam.)Butreally,cananyoneaccuratelydescribethosefeelings?Fortunatelyforbothofus,theslopeofthelinewasup.Butwithoutthosegeniusdoctorstopinpointadiagnosis,toprescribetherighttreatment,withoutthestrengthoffamilyandfriendstostickwithusthroughitall,wouldwehavesharedthesameoutcome?LikeSusannah,Iworryaboutthosethatarelessfortunate,thosethatfallthroughthecracks.Iappreciatehowharditmusthavebeenforhertoreliveitallinordertoputherstoryoutthere,andIamgratefulforthenumberofpeopleshehashelpedasaresult. ...more flag 49likes · Like  · seereview View1comment Apr07,2014 Carmen ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Recommendsitfor: PsychologyandNeurosciencefans Shelves: traditionally-published, published2012, she-says, non-fiction Amustreadforanyoneinterestedinpsychology,orneuroscience.Susannahisasuccessful24-year-oldreporter.Shehasagoodrelationshipwithherboyfriend,herdivorcedparents,andherlittlecat.Thenshewakesupwithabugbiteonherarm.Sheisconvincedthatbedbugsareinfestingherapartment.Shecallstheexterminatortospray,eventhoughheinsiststhere'snosignofbugs.Andwhat'swithallthisjunk?Whyissheholdingontoallthisstuff?Shestartstothrowawayeverythingsh Amustreadforanyoneinterestedinpsychology,orneuroscience.Susannahisasuccessful24-year-oldreporter.Shehasagoodrelationshipwithherboyfriend,herdivorcedparents,andherlittlecat.Thenshewakesupwithabugbiteonherarm.Sheisconvincedthatbedbugsareinfestingherapartment.Shecallstheexterminatortospray,eventhoughheinsiststhere'snosignofbugs.Andwhat'swithallthisjunk?Whyissheholdingontoallthisstuff?Shestartstothrowawayeverythingsheseesas"cluttering"herapartment:photos,books,papers.Andherboyfriend!Whatifhe'scheatingonher?She'sseizedwithanuncontrollableurgetospyonhim.Shegoesthroughallhise-mailsandsearcheshisapartment.Slowlyherfriends,familyandcolleaguesstarttorealizethatsomethingisvery,verywrongwithSusannah.Isshegoingcrazy?Willshehavetobelockedinapsychwardfortherestofherlife?Cahalanpaintsaveryvividpictureofhell:losingcontrolofyourmindandwhoyouarebutnotbeingabletodoanythingaboutit.Shedescribesbeingtrappedinsidehermind,knowingthatwhatshe'sdoingandsayingiscrazybutunabletostopherself.Herparentsandboyfriendareherchampions-(viewspoiler)[insistingthatshe'snotcrazy,thatsheisthevictimofsomeautoimmunedisease.Fortunatelyforher,theyarecorrect-andpushyandrichenoughtogetherthetreatmentshesodesperatelyneeds.Manyothersarenotsolucky.(hidespoiler)]Theonlyreasonthisisnotgetting5starsfrommeisthatitisabitheavyonthetechnicalmedicaljargonandwhileIhaveasolidknowledgeofpsychologyandneuroscienceterms,theaveragereaderdoesnotandwillfindthistediousorconfusing. ...more flag 46likes · Like  · seereview Viewall6comments Mar20,2013 Idarah ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: favorites, own, memoir-bio, medicine-health, science IcannotfigureoutwhyitissodifficultformetowritereviewsforbooksIampassionateabout,orwhichIloved!InlookingbackatthebooksI'vereadongoodreads.com,Irealizedthatalmostallofthehighestratedbooksonmyshelveshave2sentencereviews,ifany.Iguessthat'swhyit'stakenamonthtofigureoutwhatexactlyIwanttosayaboutBrainonFire,amedicalmemoirbyjournalistSusannahCahalan.WheredoIbegin?!Cahalandevelopsamysteriousillnessoverthecourseof IcannotfigureoutwhyitissodifficultformetowritereviewsforbooksIampassionateabout,orwhichIloved!InlookingbackatthebooksI'vereadongoodreads.com,Irealizedthatalmostallofthehighestratedbooksonmyshelveshave2sentencereviews,ifany.Iguessthat'swhyit'stakenamonthtofigureoutwhatexactlyIwanttosayaboutBrainonFire,amedicalmemoirbyjournalistSusannahCahalan.WheredoIbegin?!Cahalandevelopsamysteriousillnessoverthecourseof2months,whichleadstoanextendedstayinNYU'sEpilepticward.Exhibitingsymptomsofextremepsychosisandcatatonia,herfamilyandclosefriends'loyaltyisputtothetestastheyseekanswersandacureforCahalan'srapidlyescalatingcondition.OneaspectofthisbookthatIthinkisuniqueisthatattheheightofherillness,Cahalanloseshermemory,andasaresulthasnorecollectionofherexperiences,includingherrecovery.Asajournalist,shepiecestogethertheeventsleadinguptoherillnessandit'saftermathbyinterviewingherfamily,friends,anddoctors.NYU'sresearchenvironmentalsoprovidedmuchmaterialbywayofextensivenotesandvideos.It'shardnottohaveaffectionforSusannah.IwishIcouldmeether.Isoappreciatehersharingherstory,especiallywhenbydoingsosheexposedasideofherselfthatwasnotflattering.Shewrites:“Weare,intheend,asumofourparts,andwhenthebodyfails,allthevirtuesweholddeargowithit.”Howtruethatis!Especiallyisthisthecasewheneitherouroralovedone'sbodyisravagedbyadisease.The"realperson"isstillthere,butitcangetsomuddledup,andbesodiscouragingtowitness.Ialsoappreciatedtheattentionshedrewtofindingadiagnosis.Iwouldhaveneverbelievedhowharditisto"getwell"unlessI'dseenitwithmyowneyes.Iamnotsureifasawhole,societyisdesensitizedtodeath,orifourviewonlifeexpectancyandthequalityoflifehasdiminished.Atanyrate,itseemsasthoughdoctorstodaydon'tthinktwiceaboutsendingyouhometodie,orsufferthroughwhateverailmentyouhave.Youhavetofightforanswers,persistentlyaskforasecondopinion,andhavedarngoodmedicalinsurancecoverage.Whataboutthosethatfallthroughthecracksofthatsystem?Cahalanhappenedtobeattherightplace,attherighttime.Somanyotherswithherconditionweremisdiagnosed,andessentiallysenthometodie.It'sdisconcerting,butIamsureithappenssomuchonadailybasis.Ifyou'reinterestedinreadingthisbook,it'sonsaleforKindlereadersfor$2.99forthemonthofApril.Iwassoentranced,IthinkIreaditin24hours.IalsofelttheneedtotalkaboutiteverychanceIgot!It'sagreatread.CheckoutherinterviewhereongoodreadsifI'vepiquedyourinterest. ...more flag 43likes · Like  · seereview Viewall6comments Oct25,2019 AhmadSharabiani ratedit reallylikedit Shelves: united-states, biography, psychology, 21th-century, non-fiction, memoir BrainonFire:MyMonthofMadness,SusannahCahalanBrainonFire:MyMonthofMadnessisa2012autobiographybywriterSusannahCahalan.ThebooknarratesCahalan'swakesupinahospitalwithnomemoryoftheeventsofthepreviousmonth,duringwhichtimeshewouldhaveviolentepisodesanddelusions.ThebookalsocoversCahalan'slifeafterherrecovery,includingherreactionstowatchingvideotapesofherpsychoticepisodeswhileinthehospital.Cahalanalsodiscusseshersymptomsprior BrainonFire:MyMonthofMadness,SusannahCahalanBrainonFire:MyMonthofMadnessisa2012autobiographybywriterSusannahCahalan.ThebooknarratesCahalan'swakesupinahospitalwithnomemoryoftheeventsofthepreviousmonth,duringwhichtimeshewouldhaveviolentepisodesanddelusions.ThebookalsocoversCahalan'slifeafterherrecovery,includingherreactionstowatchingvideotapesofherpsychoticepisodeswhileinthehospital.Cahalanalsodiscusseshersymptomspriortoherhospitalization,asshehadpreviouslybeendiagnosedbyapsychiatristwithbipolardisorder.تاریخنخستینخوانش:روزبیستوششمماهمیسال2019میلادیعنوان:مغزدرآتش:یکماهجنونمن؛نویسنده:سوزاناکاهالان؛مترجم:شهنازکمیلی‌زاده؛تهران:نشرسنگ‏‫،1397؛در198ص؛شابک:9786229993651؛موضوع:التهابمغز-بیماران-ایالاتمتحده-سرگذشتنامهسوزاناکاهالان-سده21م‬کتاب«مغزدرآتش»:داستانواقعیدخترجوانیاستکهپسازابتلابهیکبیماریمرموز،به‌سرعتبهسمتجنونمی‌رود،امادرنهایتوپسازمبارزه‌ایسخت،بیماریشراشکستمی‌دهد.داستانمبارزه‌یاوبرایبازیابیهویتازدسترفته‌یخویش،حیرت‌انگیزوبسیارتأثیرگذاراست.تاجاییکهاینکتابرایکیازکتاب‌هاییمی‌دانندکهمی‌تواندزندگیشماراتغییردهد.ماجراازاین‌جاآغازمی‌شودکه«سوزاناکاهالان»بیست‌وچهارساله،تکوتنهارویتختبیمارستانچشمبازمی‌کند،درحالیکهبهتختبستهشدهاست،نمی‌تواندحرکتکند،نمی‌تواندچیزیبگویدوحتینمی‌داندچطوربهآنجاآمدهاست.«سوزانا»کمیپیشازآن،زندگیمستقلیراآغازکرده،ودرروزنامه‌یمعروفنیویورکپستمشغولبهکارشدهبود.زندگیشروالخوبودرحالپیشرفتیداشت،وبهنظرمی‌رسیدآینده‌یخوبیخواهدداشت.امایکبیماریمرموزوپیش‌روندهیعصبی،اورابهفردیخشنودرآستانه‌یدیوانگیکاملتبدیلکرد.سوزانااینشرایطوحشتناکومبهمرابایاریبی‌دریغوالدینشپشتسرگذاشت،وسپسماجراهایایندوره‌یتلخرانخستدرمقاله‌ایبهنام«یکماهجنون»وسپسدرهمینکتاب،شرحداد.«سوزاناکاهالان»دربیستسالگذشته،روزنامه‌نگاررسانه‌هایمعتبریهمچون«نیویورکپست»،و«نیویورکتایمز»بودهاست.ایشانپسازنوشتنمقاله‌ی«یکماهجنون»بزرگ‌ترینجایزه‌یروزنامه‌نگاریآمریکاراازآنخودکردند،وازآنبهبعدبهشهرترسیدند.موفقیتخیره‌کننده‌یآنمقالهباعثشد،کاهالانبراساسهمانمقاله،کتاب«مغزدرآتش»رابنویسند.اینکتابجایزه‌یبهتریناثرخاطره‌نگاریوجایزه‌ی«کتاببرایزندگیبهتر»رادرسال2012میلادیدریافتکرد،ودرصدرپرفروش‌ترینآثارنیویورکتایمزقرارگرفت.بااقتباسازاینکتاب،فیلمسینماییموفقینیزبهکارگردانی«جراردبرت»ساختهشدهاست.ا.شربیانی ...more flag 44likes · Like  · seereview Apr22,2014 Stephanie*Effyourfeelings* ratedit reallylikedit Shelves: medical, memoirs, 2014, brain, science, scarry Imagineonedayyouarefine,goingtoworkanddoingwhatyoualwaysdone,thenoutoftheblueyoustartactingstrange.Youbecomeparanoid,eventuallyyoustarthearingvoicesandattemptjumpingoutofmovingvehicles.Youmustcaughtabitofthecrazyright?Maybenot.ThisiswhathappenedtoSusannahCahalen,areporterfortheNewYorkPost.Onemorningshesawacoupleofbugbitesonherarmandwasconvincedshehadabedbuginfestation.Shebroughtexterminatorsintoherhome,even Imagineonedayyouarefine,goingtoworkanddoingwhatyoualwaysdone,thenoutoftheblueyoustartactingstrange.Youbecomeparanoid,eventuallyyoustarthearingvoicesandattemptjumpingoutofmovingvehicles.Youmustcaughtabitofthecrazyright?Maybenot.ThisiswhathappenedtoSusannahCahalen,areporterfortheNewYorkPost.Onemorningshesawacoupleofbugbitesonherarmandwasconvincedshehadabedbuginfestation.Shebroughtexterminatorsintoherhome,eventhoughshecouldn'tfindanyevidenceofthecritters.Theexterminatorcouldn'tfindthem,saidtheydidn'texist,butsheinsistedtheytreattheapartmentforthemanyway.Thiswasonlythebeginning.Susannahkeptdeteriorating,doctorsmis-diagnosedhermanytimes,oneevenblameditonexcessivedrinkingwitha'wink'.Youknow,ayounggirlinNewYorkobviouslywaspartyingtoohard.....IthinkIwouldhavepunchedthatjerkinthedanglybitsandblameditonaseizure(ofwhichshehadmany)"oops!SorrydocbutIcouldn'thelpit!"Onedayafteraboutamilliondollarsworthoftestscameupwithzilch,Dr.SouhelNajjarcameaboardSusannah'scase,andit'sadarnluckythingthathedid,becausehehadrecentlydiscoveredarareautoimmunediseasecalledAnti-NMDAreceptorencephalitis.Thisbasicallywillmakeyouseemlikeacrazyperson,andmakeyoudooddenoughthingsandmovementsthatwillcausepeopletocallinanexorcist.Sincethisdiseasehasbeeninexistenceaslongashumanshave,it'saprettysafebetthatmanyofthosepoorpeoplewhowerethoughttobepossessedandsubsequentlyexorcisedhadinfactAnti-NMDAreceptorencephalitisandnotthedevilinsidethem."Magicisonlysciencewehaven'tdiscoveredyet."Someonesaid...??ChristopherMoore??Andthatisthetrulyscarypartinaveryscarytale,thatmillionsofpeopleovercountlessyearshavebeenmis-diagnosed,putininstitutionsandlefttodie,ortreatedasevilandpossiblyputtoahorribledeath.Goodtimes!!Ienjoyedthisbookandfounditfascinating.IjustwishSussanahdin'thavetogothroughthisforustogetthisbook,butsinceshedidIappreciateitevenmore. ...more flag 41likes · Like  · seereview Viewall14comments Jul14,2016 Amy|littledevonnook ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: favorites, non-fiction Phenomenal-undoubtedlythebestnon-fictionbookIhavereadsofarthisyear.Thisanon-fictionbookinwhichSusannahCahalanhasdocumentedamonthofcompletehorrorforherselfandherfamily-amonthwhenshewentfrombeingacompletely'normal'24yearoldwomantobeingstrappedontoagurneyinahospitalwithdoctorsandnursescontemplatingadmittinghertoapsychiatricward.Itbeganwithflulikesymptomswhichslowlyevolvedintoconstantparanoia-sheexperiencedseizuresbu Phenomenal-undoubtedlythebestnon-fictionbookIhavereadsofarthisyear.Thisanon-fictionbookinwhichSusannahCahalanhasdocumentedamonthofcompletehorrorforherselfandherfamily-amonthwhenshewentfrombeingacompletely'normal'24yearoldwomantobeingstrappedontoagurneyinahospitalwithdoctorsandnursescontemplatingadmittinghertoapsychiatricward.Itbeganwithflulikesymptomswhichslowlyevolvedintoconstantparanoia-sheexperiencedseizuresbutthedoctorskepttellinghertoquitdrinking,thatdrinkingtoomuchandworkingtoohardwasherproblem.Itgottothepointwhereshebelievedherownfatherwasanimposterandhadbatteredherstep-mothertodeath.Thiswaswhenshewasfinallyadmittedintoahospital,onlyforamonthoffearandexhaustiontotakeover-thedoctorscouldn'tworkoutwhatwaswrongwithher...andtimewasrunningout.Susannah'sbrainwasonfire,itwasslowlyshuttingoffanddestroyingeverythingthatmadeherwhoshewas.Howweretheytosaveher?Thisbookblewmymind-ithadmecompletelysuckedinthewholewaythroughandIhadtokeepremindingmyselfthatallofthiswasTRUE.Ifyouneedanon-fictionrecommendationthenthisshouldbeyourpick!SusannahhassincedoneTEDtalksandappearedonTVtoraiseawarenessofwhathappenedtoher-Idon'twanttosaywhatwasactuallywrongwithherasthatwasthewholepointofthebook,thesuspensewasincredible.Totopitoff,Susannahisajournalistandhaswritingthisbookinanextremelydigestibleway,itwasliketalkingtoafriend.Go,read! ...more flag 57likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Dec03,2016 Ron ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: auto-bio, own **Afewspoilersahead** "Imustbegettingtheflu,Ithought.”Thedoctorsdon’tactuallyknowhowitbeganforme.What’sclearisthatifthatmanhadsneezedonyou,you’dmostlikelyjustgetacold.Forme,itflippedmyuniverseupsidedownandverynearlysentmetoanasylumforlife" Ourbrainiseverything.Withoutit,weareashell.That’ssomethingwemaytakeforgranted,becausewhowantstothinkaboutit.Sowhathappenswhensomethinggoeswrong,especiallywhenitaltersth **Afewspoilersahead** "Imustbegettingtheflu,Ithought.”Thedoctorsdon’tactuallyknowhowitbeganforme.What’sclearisthatifthatmanhadsneezedonyou,you’dmostlikelyjustgetacold.Forme,itflippedmyuniverseupsidedownandverynearlysentmetoanasylumforlife" Ourbrainiseverything.Withoutit,weareashell.That’ssomethingwemaytakeforgranted,becausewhowantstothinkaboutit.Sowhathappenswhensomethinggoeswrong,especiallywhenitaltersthepersonwewerewithnoexplanationwhatsoever?Readingthisbookwasscarybecauseitisatruestoryandinterestingbecauseofthemysteryinvolved.Themysterywasintheasking,“WhywerethesethingshappeningtoSusannah?”and“Whyweretherenoexplanationsforit?”Thebeginningofhersymptomsseemedinnocuous.Funnyeven.Asshedescribesit,onemorningin2009SusannahwoketofindtwosmallbitesonherarmandbecameconvincedthatherNewYorkapartmenthadabedbuginfestation,eventhoughanexterminatortoldherotherwise.Astrangerwouldprobablymistaketheincreasingerraticbehaviorthatfollowsastheactionsofatyrannical,spoiledbrat,ifnotfortheseriousnessoftheupcomingparanoia,blackoutsandseizures.Evenaneurologisttoldherandherfamilythatthetestswereclear,andthereforebelievedtheconditiontobetheeffectsofstressandalcoholwithdrawals!Agirlwhodrinks,atmost,twoglassesofwinewithdinner!Justafterconvincingthedoctortoadmithertoahospitalforovernightmonitoring,Susannahhadaseizureinthelobbythatchangeseverything: "Fromhereon,Irememberonlyveryfewbitsandpieces,mostlyhallucinatory,fromthetimeinthehospital.…thebreakbetweenmyconsciousnessandmyphysicalbodywasnowfinallyfullycomplete.Inessence,Iwasgone.Thiswasthebeginningofmylostmonthofmadness" Ateamofnolessthanninedoctors,specialistsofdifferentfields,wouldenterintoherperplexingcasewithinthefirstweek.Susannah’sconditionebbsandflows,butgetsfarworsebeforeitgetsbetter(thisisnotaspoiler).Worseningparanoia,hallucinations,voices,andcatatonia.Iwon’tgointofurtherdetails,butaskthequestion:Haveyoueverwatchedtheshow,“House”withHughLaurie?Onceinthehospital,that’swhatthisbookremindedmeof.Test,test,test,prognosis.Someverysmartdoctors.Abafflingcase.Happyending?Yes,butwithalong,painfulroadtorecovery. ...more flag 33likes · Like  · seereview Viewall9comments Dec10,2018 Lucie ratedit likedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: award-winner, autobiographical-memoir, survival “Herbrainisonfire,"herepeated."Herbrainisunderattackbyherownbody.”Thisisaterrifyingtrueaccountofhowonewoman'sbodybetrayedher.Approximately50millionAmericans(oroneinfivepeople)sufferfromsomeformofautoimmunedisease.Womenaremorelikelytobeaffectedthanmen.Bysomeestimates,womenmakeup75%ofthosewhoareaffectedbyautoimmunedisease.Thisgetsprettyclinicalinplaces,butthemedicalmysterykeepsyouhooked.Oneofthemostimportanttake-aw “Herbrainisonfire,"herepeated."Herbrainisunderattackbyherownbody.”Thisisaterrifyingtrueaccountofhowonewoman'sbodybetrayedher.Approximately50millionAmericans(oroneinfivepeople)sufferfromsomeformofautoimmunedisease.Womenaremorelikelytobeaffectedthanmen.Bysomeestimates,womenmakeup75%ofthosewhoareaffectedbyautoimmunedisease.Thisgetsprettyclinicalinplaces,butthemedicalmysterykeepsyouhooked.Oneofthemostimportanttake-awaysfromthisaccountistoremaindiligent.Neverstopfightingforyourselfandyourlovedones.Keepsearching,keepaskingquestions,andnevergiveup. ...more flag 33likes · Like  · seereview Viewall3comments Feb12,2018 April(ApriliusMaximus) ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Fascinatingandterrifying. flag 33likes · Like  · seereview Sep07,2016 Myrna ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: audiobooks, books-to-screen Gripping....alarming....educationalnarrativeaboutararediseasethroughSusannah'saccountofwhathappenedbeforeandafterherdiagnosis.Thoseofuswithanautoimmunediseasecanrelatetothisstory.Idon'tsharethispartofmylifeoftenbutittook16monthsformetogetdiagnosedwithmyastheniagravis.It'snotassevereasanti-NMDA-receptorautoimmuneencephalitisbutnotfunnonetheless.Ithinkthisisanimportantreadforallinthemedicalfield. Gripping....alarming....educationalnarrativeaboutararediseasethroughSusannah'saccountofwhathappenedbeforeandafterherdiagnosis.Thoseofuswithanautoimmunediseasecanrelatetothisstory.Idon'tsharethispartofmylifeoftenbutittook16monthsformetogetdiagnosedwithmyastheniagravis.It'snotassevereasanti-NMDA-receptorautoimmuneencephalitisbutnotfunnonetheless.Ithinkthisisanimportantreadforallinthemedicalfield. ...more flag 33likes · Like  · seereview Viewall17comments Feb18,2021 Kat ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: library-4 ThiswasamovingaccountoftheterrifyingexperiencewriterSusannahCahalanhadwitharare/invisibleillnessthatravagedherbody,causingseizuresanddelusions,andwhichnoneofherdoctorscoulddiagnose.Rare/invisibleillnesscanbeespeciallytraumaticforpatientsbecausenotonlyareyousick,butallyourmedicaltests,sometimesdozensofmedicaltests,arecomingback“normal.”Yougetaccusedofmakingupsymptoms.Yoursymptomsgetclassifiedas“psychiatric.”Ittookmonthso ThiswasamovingaccountoftheterrifyingexperiencewriterSusannahCahalanhadwitharare/invisibleillnessthatravagedherbody,causingseizuresanddelusions,andwhichnoneofherdoctorscoulddiagnose.Rare/invisibleillnesscanbeespeciallytraumaticforpatientsbecausenotonlyareyousick,butallyourmedicaltests,sometimesdozensofmedicaltests,arecomingback“normal.”Yougetaccusedofmakingupsymptoms.Yoursymptomsgetclassifiedas“psychiatric.”IttookmonthsofsearchingandadetermineddoctortofinallyfigureouttherootcauseofCahalan’sillness.Thisisashortmedicalmemoirandaverygoodone.Pleaseexcusetypos/namemisspellings.Enteredonscreenreader. ...more flag 30likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Feb09,2018 BibliomysteriousBAM ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: mental-health, audiobooks, own, mystery, memoirs Audio#162018ReadingChallenge:aboutmentalhealthThisbookwasincredible!Ican'tevenexplaintoyouhowoutofthisworldsuchadiagnosisseemsandI'msuretheauthorfeltthesameway.Toknowshewastreatedintimetobecome90%better(withinonemonth!!!!offallingill)isagodsendandatestamenttothemedicalprofession-thatoutof9doctorsthatmisdiagnosedher(notkidding!)therewasonewhonevergaveup.SoinawayidontknowhowIfeelaboutthat.Buthercasehashad Audio#162018ReadingChallenge:aboutmentalhealthThisbookwasincredible!Ican'tevenexplaintoyouhowoutofthisworldsuchadiagnosisseemsandI'msuretheauthorfeltthesameway.Toknowshewastreatedintimetobecome90%better(withinonemonth!!!!offallingill)isagodsendandatestamenttothemedicalprofession-thatoutof9doctorsthatmisdiagnosedher(notkidding!)therewasonewhonevergaveup.SoinawayidontknowhowIfeelaboutthat.Buthercasehashadaneffectonidentifyingothercases,sothat'saHUGEbenefit ...more flag 30likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Sep24,2016 Cheryl ratedit reallylikedit Recommendsitfor: thoseinterestedinstudyofthebrain Shelves: memoirs "Maybeit'struewhatThomasMooresaid,"SusannahCahalanwrites,"itisonlythroughmysteryandmadnessthatthesoulisrevealed."Howelsedoesonesolvethepuzzleofthedevastatingeffectsofillness,specificallyillnessofthebrain?Somesurvive,maybeeventhrive,whileothersremainindespondency.Thetruesoulemergesthroughdespair. Thehealthybrainisasymphonyof100billionneurons,theactionsofeachindividualbraincellharmonizingintoawholethatenablesthoughts, "Maybeit'struewhatThomasMooresaid,"SusannahCahalanwrites,"itisonlythroughmysteryandmadnessthatthesoulisrevealed."Howelsedoesonesolvethepuzzleofthedevastatingeffectsofillness,specificallyillnessofthebrain?Somesurvive,maybeeventhrive,whileothersremainindespondency.Thetruesoulemergesthroughdespair. Thehealthybrainisasymphonyof100billionneurons,theactionsofeachindividualbraincellharmonizingintoawholethatenablesthoughts,movements,memories,orevenjustasneeze.Butittakesonlyonedissonantinstrumenttomarthecohesionofasymphony. I'lladmit,IpickedupthisbookbecauseIthoughtthephrase,brainonfire,alludedtopain.ifyou'vebeenmyGRfriendforsometime,atsomepointyou'veseenmementionthedebilitatingpainIlivewith;itsometimesfeelsasifmybrainisliterallyonfire.Iwon'tgointothemedicalterminologyforit,butsomerefertoitas"thesuicideheadache."Ichoosetoignorethecolloquialnameforitbecause…well,youcanimagine.Iquicklyrealizedthephrasebrainonfiredoesn'talludetothoseparticularmomentsofelectricalshockwavesofpainandburninginthehead,buttheideathatIpickedupthismemoirbasedonthatthinking,achievesagoal:itshowcasestherichnessofSusannahCahalan'ssharedmemoriesofillnessbecausethisiswhatshewanted,touseherstorytostartadiscussionaroundillnessesaffectingthebrain.Cahalan'sstoryhelpsthevictimsoftheunknown"foggyconsciousness"calledencephalitis,an"inflammationofthebrain"thatresultsinavictim'schangeofpersonality;anailmentwhichmimicsmentalillnesseslikeschizophreniaandbipolardepression. Iwouldsoonlearnfirsthandthatthiskindofillnessoftenebbsandflows,leavingthesuffererconvincedthattheworstisover,evenwhenit'sonlyretreatingforamomentbeforepouncingagain. Howdoesoneencapsulatetheresultsofanormallifegoneawrywhen"oneblownbulb"inthebrainmakes"thewholestrandgodark?"Thismemoirisalsopart-meditativeexplorationoftheAmericanhealthcaresystemanditculminatesinaroomatNewYorkUniversity'sLangoneMedicalCenter,whereSusannahCahalanlayshelplessandfragile,herminddistorted,hercellsattackingherbrain.Thisreaddistillstheprocessoftestingandmakesonewonderaboutthevictimsofthisdiseasewhowereneverproperlytreatedorhealedandperhapslaterthrownintopsychiatricwardsinstead,thosewhodidn'tsurvive.Ifyou'reinterestedinlyricalorelegantprose,youwon'tfindithere;however,whatyou'llfindiscompellingstory,medicalterminologyelucidation,andgreatreporting. ...more flag 34likes · Like  · seereview Viewall9comments «previous123456789…next» newtopicDiscussThisBook Therearenodiscussiontopicsonthisbookyet. Bethefirsttostartone» Share RecommendIt  |  Stats  |  RecentStatusUpdates Readersalsoenjoyed Seesimilarbooks… Genres Nonfiction 3,562users Autobiography> Memoir 2,264users Psychology 784users Biography 640users Health> MentalHealth 445users Audiobook 418users Science 381users Medical 347users BiographyMemoir 319users Health> Medicine 284users Seetopshelves… AboutSusannahCahalan SusannahCahalan 2,301 followers SusannahCahalanistheNewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorof"BrainonFire:MyMonthofMadness,"amemoiraboutherstrugglewitharareautoimmunediseaseofthebrain.ShewritesfortheNewYorkPost.HerworkhasalsobeenfeaturedintheNewYorkTimes,ScientificAmericanMagazine,Glamour,PsychologyToday,andothers. SusannahCahalanistheNewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorof"BrainonFire:MyMonthofMadness,"amemoiraboutherstrugglewitharareautoimmunediseaseofthebrain.ShewritesfortheNewYorkPost.HerworkhasalsobeenfeaturedintheNewYorkTimes,ScientificAmericanMagazine,Glamour,PsychologyToday,andothers. ...more BooksbySusannahCahalan More… Articlesfeaturingthisbook64TopNonfictionBookstoReadforWomen'sHistoryMonth MarchisWomen’sHistoryMonth,dedicatedtothestudy,observance,andcelebrationofthevitalroleofwomeninAmericanhistory.   Some...Readmore...287likes·70comments TriviaAboutBrainonFire:My... 19triviaquestions Morequizzes&trivia... QuotesfromBrainonFire:My... “Sometimes,Justwhenweneedthem,lifewrapsmetaphorsupinlittlebowsforus.Whenyouthinkallislost,thethingsyouneedthemostreturnunexpectedly.” — 109likes “Weare,intheend,asumofourparts,andwhenthebodyfails,allthevirtuesweholddeargowithit.” — 90likes Morequotes… Welcomeback.JustamomentwhilewesignyouintoyourGoodreadsaccount.