Welcome to Litsy!

While I was familiar with the concept that illness is triggered by emotional wounds, I was shocked to find out about the magnitude of the physical damage that can be caused by psychogenic, psychosomatic disorder and to what extent this can destroy the patient's life if only the medical symptoms are treated and no attention is paid to the real source of the condition; most of the times this resides in an emotional trauma which should be dealt with.

The stories were interesting, but the design (specifically the font choice) and some ableist language ("confined to a wheelchair") made this feel more dated than it is. Brainstorm was better.

I found this really fascinating. A neurologist explains the history and various presentations of psychosomatic disorders with case studies from her own patients. It‘s amazing how powerful our brains are and our capacity to have uncontrollable physical symptoms that have an emotional/psychological trigger. Sullivan argues strongly for society to give sufferers the respect and support needed for effective treatment ⬇️

#bookreport

A big work and social week for me so not a lot of reading got done. (Last nights nautical themed street Christmas party top left!)
I finished Blackout which I loved, and my reread of Cinder on audio which was great. Started and really enjoying Good Omens and It‘s All In Your Head (nf)
Watching the latest series of The Crown which is wonderful too. OMG that Aberfan episode!

The title/subtitle probably don't help this book. In reality, it's a thoughtful examination of various cases where illness was profound and difficult to cope with, but had no biological cause. O'Sullivan sounds like an ideal doctor, patient and understanding of the true distress caused by disorders people sometimes dismiss as “all in the mind“. We could do with more of that attitude.

Weather to stay inside reading in! We went out to impulsively get my hair cut shorter, but I was so glad to get home and warm and dry. I read one of the author's other books; this is super similar in format but has some different case studies. It is fascinating what our brains can do to our bodies.

Just finished reading this & then found the BBC radio 4 podcast of the author being interviewed on “The Life Scientific”. Dr O‘Sullivan is a neurologist who specialises in the diagnosis of epilepsy and frequently meets people with psychosomatic epilepsy and other psychosomatic disorders. She tells their stories with such kindness & empathy but she‘s also fascinated by the power of the mind to separate the conscious & the unconscious. Fascinating.

You know what? I'm bailing on this one as well. It's interesting to hear her talking about her work on podcasts & stuff but apparently I don't need another 4 hours of knowledge on the subject. (Not sure if it's the audio, but I'm a bit bored - even at x2 speed!)

O'Sullivan is a neurologist, who found herself referring patients to psychologists, as physical tests came back normal, even in the most debilitating conditions. 👇

Man, this is rougher than I expected!

My current #audiobook - I seem to be on a nonfiction thing right now. #31bookpics

O'Sullivan is a neurologist, who found herself increasingly dealing with patients whose illness appeared to have a psychological rather than a neurological cause. Which doesn't make their illness any less real or less disabling. A really interesting read so far.

Really rewarding read! Well written, easy for non scientists. I found it comforting as someone who has had moderately serious psychosomatic problems in the past. Always good to learn more about what your body‘s doing!

Lazy morning reading while on holiday! I wish all my mornings could be like this. I might be getting a cold but at least I‘m relaxing

"As science struggles on
To try to explain
Oxy-toxins flowing
Ever into my brain"

These are the stories of people #overpowered by 'medically unexplained' illnesses - very real and physically debilitating, but which current science can't explain and are likely to be dismissed as 'all in your head'. The book sounds fascinating... but is still on my tbr.
#tuneintonovember @Robothugs @Cinfhen

Read this recently from the local library and really liked it. Could not believe it when I saw it here for Q9 in an op/charity shop here. @MrsMalaprop Serena you might find it interesting.

Forgot to post about these yesterday! I get excited about #bookmail

I am loving this book. I'm at an especially crazy time in my life and seeing how the body can somatize stress is really forcing me to be present with the chaos and not just soldier on. Fascinating book!

The concept of people who suffer with psychosomatic illnesses has always interested me.

I've been re-reading Suzanne O'Sullivan's wonderful (Wellcome Prize winning) It's All in Your Head before I interview her for You Wrote The Book tonight...