Reddit mentions of Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness

I recently read her book Brain on Fire and it's sad to realize that the only reason survived is that she had 1.) an unusually good network of intelligent, supportive people around her including some great connections and 2.) obviously good health insurance. Lacking these two things, as many people do, she probably would have been written off as an alcoholic or schizophrenic or some medical mystery. The first doctor she went to exaggerated her estimate of how much she drank and wrote off the symptoms to alcohol abuse.

In defense of OPs reference to possession, the introduction to the discussion question section of the book includes the following:

"(Dr. Souhel Najjar) asked Susannah to draw one simple sketch, which became key to diagnosing her with a newly discovered autoimmune disease in which her body was attacking her brain, an illness now thought to be the cause of “demonic possessions” throughout history."

Cahalan, Susannah (2012-11-13). Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness (p. 250). Free Press. Kindle Edition.


I recommend the book and Susannah Cahalan deserves praise for her efforts to make people aware of this disease.

Just finished this book Brain on Fire. I loved it! Its kinda an easy read too. Like if you want to half pay attention to back ground goings on!

I don't laugh at these anymore. Why? Two different times I was handed printouts from WebMD when I went to urgent care.

Also, after reading Brain on Fire, you have to be your own medical advocate (or have someone that will do it for you). http://smile.amazon.com/Brain-Fire-My-Month-Madness-ebook/dp/B007EDOKZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407705693&sr=1-1&keywords=brain+on+fire