AN APPLE BOOKS PICK OF THE MONTH | “Masterfully written, distinctively researched, deeply humane . . . Genius.”—ANTHONY SWOFFORD, author of Jarhead | “A major contribution . . . A necessary book.”—JOHANN HARI, author of Lost Connections | “This book is a triumph of the spirit and the flesh.”—ELIZA GRISWOLD, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Amity and Prosperity | In this stunning debut—both a memoir and a work of investigative journalism—writer Sarah Fay explores the ways we pathologize human experiences.
I loved your book. I had similar experiences in the mental "health" community over many years. It was frustrating and painful to not be heard. The doctors weren't really interested in what I had to say about my impressions of what was going on. Excellent, important, must-read in a culture that opts to drug itself as a first line treatment in way too many instances. Thank for this. It's an important contribution that will hopefully lead to some change-making.
I just recorded a video for Substack about how much I hate the DSM and think it’s bananas that outside organizations can influence what diagnoses make it in the DSM. 🤦🏻♀️
Your book sounds very interesting Sarah. I am going to put it on my list of must reads. I experienced the insanity of psychiatry while I was enduring cancer treatment. The chemo and steroids caused sleep issues so I was told to go see 'someone' for "help with sleep meds". I was not told the 'someone' was a psychiatrist. But I explained to this female psychiatrist the many external stressors I was dealing with at my house (I was single and lived alone) during cancer treatment (furnace repairs & replacement, roof leaking etc) and told her of the well-known adverse effects of chemo I was experiencing (severe vertigo, tinnitus, daily profuse nosebleeds (had to call paramedics one time), a head injury after falling due to dizziness (laid unconscious and bleeding from a laceration that needed stitches and CT scan) This psychiatrist was very dishonest, arrogant and cold as ice. Unbeknownst to me she quickly put 4 major psych labels into a report on widespread electronic records and denigrated me as a "difficult" patient who was "sabotaging" my treatment by experiencing adverse side effects. She actually labelled the adverse effects of chemo a "Somatization Disorder". Needless to say this vitriol has had a very negative effect on my ability to access needed health care services since this ordeal and how badly I am viewed and treated by other health care providers. It became quite clear to me that psychiatry does far more harm than good.
Already done, Sarah. Happy to contribute to the growing number of reviews for your superb book!
Thank you!
You're most welcome, Sarah.
Just submitted my review to Amazon.
Amazing, Wendi! Thank you!
I loved your book. I had similar experiences in the mental "health" community over many years. It was frustrating and painful to not be heard. The doctors weren't really interested in what I had to say about my impressions of what was going on. Excellent, important, must-read in a culture that opts to drug itself as a first line treatment in way too many instances. Thank for this. It's an important contribution that will hopefully lead to some change-making.
Thank you!
Congrats, Sarah!
Thank you!
Congratulations Sarah!
I just recorded a video for Substack about how much I hate the DSM and think it’s bananas that outside organizations can influence what diagnoses make it in the DSM. 🤦🏻♀️
Hi there! It's so great to see you on here. We should do another podcast episode! Email me if you're interested: mssarahfay1516@gmail.com
Hi - I've just come across your work. How do I purchase the ebook of Pathological? Thank you!
Hello! Yes, you can purchase it here: https://amzn.to/4dTRYCB
And thank you!
Your book sounds very interesting Sarah. I am going to put it on my list of must reads. I experienced the insanity of psychiatry while I was enduring cancer treatment. The chemo and steroids caused sleep issues so I was told to go see 'someone' for "help with sleep meds". I was not told the 'someone' was a psychiatrist. But I explained to this female psychiatrist the many external stressors I was dealing with at my house (I was single and lived alone) during cancer treatment (furnace repairs & replacement, roof leaking etc) and told her of the well-known adverse effects of chemo I was experiencing (severe vertigo, tinnitus, daily profuse nosebleeds (had to call paramedics one time), a head injury after falling due to dizziness (laid unconscious and bleeding from a laceration that needed stitches and CT scan) This psychiatrist was very dishonest, arrogant and cold as ice. Unbeknownst to me she quickly put 4 major psych labels into a report on widespread electronic records and denigrated me as a "difficult" patient who was "sabotaging" my treatment by experiencing adverse side effects. She actually labelled the adverse effects of chemo a "Somatization Disorder". Needless to say this vitriol has had a very negative effect on my ability to access needed health care services since this ordeal and how badly I am viewed and treated by other health care providers. It became quite clear to me that psychiatry does far more harm than good.