Review No. 1
This is a remarkable book about a relatively newly identified type of Encephalitis called NMDA-receptor Encephalitis.
Susannah survives not only this devastating condition but also not uncommon mid-diagnoses, and their potential for admission to psychiatric institutions. Susannah recovers well thanks to the astute observations and ongoing professional development of a doctor, one of many in a team trying to diagnose and manage this young woman spiralling into a world of madness and mayhem.
Susannah's book is the first account (to my knowledge) of this type of Encephalitis. She successfully interweaves her own narrative with the observations of others and the expert and clinical explanations of her condition as would be expected of a journalist and writer of her calibre. This results in a book that makes us empathise with her experiences but also leaves us with an evidence-based education in relation to this condition. The book is an absolute must-read for anyone affected, their families and friends but also for professionals working in, or with an interest in neurology. Reading this book will undoubtedly save lives and prevent inappropriate admissions to psychiatric units of people whose condition is neurological and not psychiatric. The book does of course leave us wondering how many un-diagnosed NMDA-receptor Encephalitis patients remain in psychiatric institutions? Are you really sure that patient protesting their innocence or pleading sanity really is suffering a Psychiatric disorder or is that glimmer of sanity you’ve occasionally glimpsed another Susannah Cahalan?
