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Head First

A Psychiatrist's Stories of Mind and Body
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Head First by Dr Alastair Santhouse explores the intricate connection between our emotions and physical wellbeing. Drawing on clinical stories from his psychiatric practice, the author examines how our minds shape the perception, treatment, and even development of symptoms. Through candid, compassionate, and sometimes wryly humorous storytelling, Santhouse delves into challenging topics such as suicide, obesity stigma, and chronic fatigue, ultimately critiquing the medical model for neglecting the vital role of the mind in health.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers interested in mental health, psychiatry, and holistic approaches to wellbeing. It appeals to those seeking a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection, healthcare professionals, and anyone drawn to compassionate, thought-provoking medical narratives.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

An exquisitely written exploration of the connections between physical and mental health.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Wise, timely and eloquent... A joy to read. - Guardian

What does it mean to be well? Is it something in our body? Or, is it rather something subjective - something of the mind? In this profound collection of clinical stories, eminent psychiatrist Dr Alastair Santhouse draws on his experience of treating thousands of hospital patients to show how our emotions are inextricably linked to our physical wellbeing.

Our minds shape the way we understand and react to symptoms that we develop, dictate the treatments we receive, and influence whether they work. They even influence whether we develop symptoms at all. Written with brutal honesty, deep compassion, and a wry sense of humour, Head First examines difficult cases that illuminate some of our most puzzling and controversial medical issuesβ€”from the tragedy of suicide, to the stigma surrounding obesity, to the ongoing misery of chronic fatigue.

Ultimately he finds that our medical model has failed us by promoting specialization and overlooking perhaps the single most important component of our health: our state of mind.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

'A wise, timely and eloquent book... A joy to read,' praises The Guardian, highlighting Santhouse's detailed observations and compassionate approach. Readers also commend its insightful illumination of how personal stories influence mental and physical health, with Lori Gottlieb describing it as 'compassionate, insightful, and riveting.' Allen Ropper notes it as 'a wonderful and humane look inside and outside the head,' appreciating its relevance in today's self-focused era.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781838950347

Publisher: Atlantic Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 June 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Atlantic Books

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 199.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Alastair Santhouse is a consultant psychiatrist at both Guy's Hospital and the Maudsley Hospital in London. He was Vice Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Faculty of Liaison Psychiatry between 2013 and 2017, and in 2016 was elected President of the Psychiatry Section of the Royal Society of Medicine. His clinical work focusses on the intersection of physical and mental health.

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  • Head First
    What does it mean to be well? Is it something in our body? Or, is it rather something subjective – something of the mind? In this profound collection of clinical stories, eminent psychiatrist Dr Alastair Santhouse draws on his experience of treating thousands of hospital patients to show how our emotions are inextricably linked to our physical wellbeing. Our minds...
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