Brain on Fire

A non-fiction medical mystery. That's all I needed to hear.

Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan

Genre: Autobiography, medicine
Publication date: November 2012

A shocking true story about a twenty-something journalist living in NYC who suddenly goes mad, due to a mysterious disorder that doctors cannot diagnose. Susannah first shows symptoms of madness as she imagines bugs in her Hells Kitchen apartment (not unrealistic) and uncharacteristically and exhaustingly snoops through her boyfriends belongings. Eventually, these small signs develop into grander and more severe signs (paranoia, hallucinations, seizures). She is admitted into NYU's hospital, thought to be psychotic, and losing her mind and most of her facilities.

A Dr. House mystery medical case told from the perspective of the patient. However, this patient loses about a month of her life, as after she has difficulty remembering the trying times in psychosis. She relies on family and friends' recollections, interviews with her doctors, and video surveillance of her time in the hospital. The medical drama is made personal as her loved ones stay by her side and through her recovery, demonstrating how an illness not only affects the patient but those around them.

DD's rating: A
Another book I read in two days. Terrifying and fascinating to read about someone losing their mind, from their perspective. How they dealt with conflicting positions (paranoia vs. reality) and being aware of ensuing madness.

Next read: Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari