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It's All in Your Head: True Stories of Imaginary Illness
It's All in Your Head: True Stories of Imaginary Illness | Suzanne O'Sullivan
A neurologist explores the very real world of psychosomatic illness. Most of us accept the way our heart flutters when we set eyes on the one we secretly admire, or the sweat on our brow as we start the presentation we do not want to give. But few of us are fully aware of how dramatic our body's reactions to emotions can sometimes be. Take Pauline, who first became ill when she was fifteen. What seemed at first to be a urinary infection became joint pain, then food intolerances, then life-threatening appendicitis. And then one day, after a routine operation, Pauline lost all the strength in her legs. Shortly after that her convulsions started. But Pauline's tests are normal; her symptoms seem to have no physical cause whatsoever. Pauline may be an extreme case, but she is by no means alone. As many as a third of men and women visiting their GP have symptoms that are medically unexplained. In most, an emotional root is suspected and yet, when it comes to a diagnosis, this is the very last thing we want to hear, and the last thing doctors want to say. In It's All in Your Head consultant neurologist Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan takes us on a journey through the very real world of psychosomatic illness. She takes us from the extreme -- from paralysis, seizures and blindness -- to more everyday problems such as tiredness and pain. Meeting her patients, she encourages us to look deep inside the human condition. There we find the secrets we are all capable of keeping from ourselves, and our age-old failure to credit the intimate and extraordinary connection between mind and body.
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IuliaC
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Pickpick

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.

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rabbitprincess
Mehso-so

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.

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Centique
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Pickpick

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 ⬇️

Centique I have a couple of people in my life with these kinds of illnesses so I might need to buy a few copies of this. It is a little dry and academic in parts - so definitely one for those interested in the topic, rather than everybody. 5y
Suet624 Sounds interesting! 5y
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Centique
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#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!

Annl That episode was so difficult. 5y
Centique @Annl I know right? 💔 5y
Cinfhen Looks like you managed to mix lots of fun time in with your reading time ♥️ 5y
See All 6 Comments
Reggie Your block has to be the awesomest block around. I remember the go to different people‘s houses and drink fiesta last year. And the pic looks great!! 5y
Centique @Reggie thank you Reggie! We‘ve lived on our street for thirteen years - only in the last four or five have we made some really close friends here, and it pretty much started with people reaching out to each other at Christmas. I wish for stellar neighbours for you too! 💕🌟 💕 5y
Cathythoughts Gorgeous pic ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
63 likes6 comments
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shanaqui
Pickpick

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.

shanaqui I find it a little superficial at times -- surely the choices are not always this clear -- but it makes sense. I feel that the people who most need to read about this are not the ones who will (though perhaps I'm an exception, as I *know* I am at risk of conversion disorders of this sort!). 5y
11 likes1 comment
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shanaqui
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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.

Clare-Dragonfly That certainly doesn‘t look safe! Glad you are home and dry (and surrounded by bunnies?) now. 5y
12 likes1 comment
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A_woman_on_a_bike
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Pickpick

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.

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rockpools
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Bailedbailed

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. 👇

rockpools She talks honestly (sometimes uncomfortably so) about the attitudes of her younger self and her colleagues, the growing realisation that these illnesses aren't 'faked' and gives numerous case studies, as well as a history of 'hysteria' as it was known in times past. Interesting- just too much! 6y
Cathythoughts Thankyou for your honest report 👍🏻🙏🏻 6y
55 likes2 comments
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rockpools
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Man, this is rougher than I expected!

Cathythoughts Oh dear. The centre of intelligence 😱... so we are told 6y
rockpools @Cathythoughts The case studies are kind of grim. Years of people going round in circles, getting tests for symptoms, & being brushed off when no physical cause is found. It's v sad. 6y
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rockpools
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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.

Cathythoughts I love this title & cover 👍🏻 6y
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Emilymdxn
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Pickpick

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!

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Emilymdxn
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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

Simona Lazy mornings are the best! Enjoy 😘 6y
JosieG I hope you feel better soon, and the sickness passes quickly! Enjoy your relaxation! 😊 6y
28 likes3 comments
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rockpools
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"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

Robothugs Awesome pick! 7y
Cinfhen Oooh; fascinating and awesome pick✅🙌🏻makes me think of another great choice for today 7y
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Jeg
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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.

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

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Kkhalifeh
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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!

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

TheWellReadOwl Sounds so interesting! 8y
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SavidgeReads
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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...

MusingsOnMidlife This sounds fascinating! Must read asap ... 8y
SavidgeReads You should @cook-create-read it's fascinating, brilliant and all about a subject that really isn't talked about and should be. 8y
13 likes6 stack adds2 comments