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Falling Into the Fire: A Psychiatrist's Encounters with the Mind in Crisis by Christine Montross
kathstew's review against another edition
3.0
Falling Into the Fire is psychiatrist Dr. Christine Montross' accounts of particularly troubling or otherwise difficult patients seen during her early practicing years. The patients' stories she chooses to share are morbidly fascinating, in that readers are given a glimpse of the psychological suffering that so many face.
Dr. Montross attempts to tackle the stigma around psychiatric diseases through a deeply personal account of such topics as self-harm, scizophrenia, hysteria, and obsessive compulsive disorder.
While interesting, the book's narrative is often interrupted by needless reflection on Dr. Montross' personal relationships with her family, causing the book's impact to be greatly reduced. These interjections seem to have little meaning in relation to the themes the chapters attempt to tackle, causing each chapter to end on a lackluster note.
I went into this book with high expectations of a psychiatric-type "Untold Stories of the ER," but found the book to be more of a reflection of particular psychiatric phenomena, that are exemplified through anecdotes of Dr. Montross' patients. For example, Dr. Montross treats a mother who admits to homicidal thoughts directed towards her young son. Dr.Montross briefly touches on the treatment of the mother before exploring well-known cases of child murders committed by unwell mothers, and the reasonings behind each of these cases. She attempts to diagnose large groups of people using her anecdotal evidence to strengthen her reasonings.
A very well-written book that, although did not live up to my initial expectations, was an informative read.
Dr. Montross attempts to tackle the stigma around psychiatric diseases through a deeply personal account of such topics as self-harm, scizophrenia, hysteria, and obsessive compulsive disorder.
While interesting, the book's narrative is often interrupted by needless reflection on Dr. Montross' personal relationships with her family, causing the book's impact to be greatly reduced. These interjections seem to have little meaning in relation to the themes the chapters attempt to tackle, causing each chapter to end on a lackluster note.
I went into this book with high expectations of a psychiatric-type "Untold Stories of the ER," but found the book to be more of a reflection of particular psychiatric phenomena, that are exemplified through anecdotes of Dr. Montross' patients. For example, Dr. Montross treats a mother who admits to homicidal thoughts directed towards her young son. Dr.Montross briefly touches on the treatment of the mother before exploring well-known cases of child murders committed by unwell mothers, and the reasonings behind each of these cases. She attempts to diagnose large groups of people using her anecdotal evidence to strengthen her reasonings.
A very well-written book that, although did not live up to my initial expectations, was an informative read.
blueranger9's review against another edition
4.0
"We all live under a veil of invulnerability...and then there earthshaking moments in our lives when the veil is pulled back and we see with clarity that we are all in fact perched upon the precipice." I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Montross' book because it was so poignant and well researched, but what really spoke to me was how beautifully self-aware she is. She reminds me of a young Irvin Yalom, which is the highest compliment I can give in psychological circles. Haha.
chelseyclark's review against another edition
4.0
This book had been on my TBR for a quite some time, and I'm not sure what brought me to finally pick it up, but I am really, really glad I did. If you have any sort of interest in mental health or medicine, I would totally recommend this.
Montross' biggest strength with this book, in my opinion, is raising the veil between the image that a doctor presents on the job and who they are on the other side. It was really interesting (and surprisingly emotional) to read about how Montross' experiences personally and professionally affected each other. Psychiatrists have a bit of a reputation for being a little overly clinical or analytical when assessing or treating patients, and she repeatedly addresses the struggles of doing what is right for the patient, being objective and decisive, protecting herself emotionally and professionally, while still being compassionate and human. Seeing the other side of the doctor's protective shield was really interesting.
There were only a few cases in particular that were discussed in the book, but they were each handled with care and extensively explained. Montross took her time to go into detail the issues with complex diagnoses and the ramifications of making a wrong call, as well as how the weight of making those calls inter played with her home life.
I really enjoyed this book and found it fascinating. I only docked it a star because I didn't think the writing was all that special and I did wish for maybe a few more cases to be discussed. But would very much recommend this one!
Montross' biggest strength with this book, in my opinion, is raising the veil between the image that a doctor presents on the job and who they are on the other side. It was really interesting (and surprisingly emotional) to read about how Montross' experiences personally and professionally affected each other. Psychiatrists have a bit of a reputation for being a little overly clinical or analytical when assessing or treating patients, and she repeatedly addresses the struggles of doing what is right for the patient, being objective and decisive, protecting herself emotionally and professionally, while still being compassionate and human. Seeing the other side of the doctor's protective shield was really interesting.
There were only a few cases in particular that were discussed in the book, but they were each handled with care and extensively explained. Montross took her time to go into detail the issues with complex diagnoses and the ramifications of making a wrong call, as well as how the weight of making those calls inter played with her home life.
I really enjoyed this book and found it fascinating. I only docked it a star because I didn't think the writing was all that special and I did wish for maybe a few more cases to be discussed. But would very much recommend this one!
hamantha's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.0
dschoen's review against another edition
5.0
I love Dr. Montross' writing. She is so elegant and expressive. Somehow her books read like novels.
I always find myself questioning some of her thoughts regarding agency and autonomy towards her patients. Still, her perspective is illuminating and insightful. I would read anything she wrote.
I always find myself questioning some of her thoughts regarding agency and autonomy towards her patients. Still, her perspective is illuminating and insightful. I would read anything she wrote.
readingtheend's review against another edition
3.0
Note: I received a copy of Falling into the Fire from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
In her review of Falling into the Fire earlier this year, Victoria said “I begin to wonder whether there is an entry in the DSM (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) for readers like me, who find themselves fascinated by accounts of people struggling with the different illnesses it defines.” If there is, I surely have it, and I could not resist asking Penguin for a copy of this psychiatrist’s account of some of her most severely ill patients at the hospital psych ward. Montross writes about Colin, who believes he has experienced a spiritual awakening and is unnerving his friends and relations; Lauren, a regular of the psych emergency room, who swallows scissors, needles, anything she can get her hands on; and many other patients who have challenged Montross and aroused her interest and sympathy.
In each chapter, Montross begins by talking about a patient and the symptoms that patient presents, and then she moves on to write about the history of this type of illness. Read more at http://readingtheend.com/2014/06/18/review-falling-into-the-fire-christine-montross/
In her review of Falling into the Fire earlier this year, Victoria said “I begin to wonder whether there is an entry in the DSM (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) for readers like me, who find themselves fascinated by accounts of people struggling with the different illnesses it defines.” If there is, I surely have it, and I could not resist asking Penguin for a copy of this psychiatrist’s account of some of her most severely ill patients at the hospital psych ward. Montross writes about Colin, who believes he has experienced a spiritual awakening and is unnerving his friends and relations; Lauren, a regular of the psych emergency room, who swallows scissors, needles, anything she can get her hands on; and many other patients who have challenged Montross and aroused her interest and sympathy.
In each chapter, Montross begins by talking about a patient and the symptoms that patient presents, and then she moves on to write about the history of this type of illness. Read more at http://readingtheend.com/2014/06/18/review-falling-into-the-fire-christine-montross/
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