The Sleeping Beauties: And Other Stories of Mystery Illness

Suzanne O'Sullivan

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In "The Sleeping Beauties: And Other Stories of Mystery Illness," author Suzanne O'Sullivan delves into the realm of psychosomatic disorders, exploring mysterious cases from around the world. Through her insightful and empathetic portrayal of individuals suffering from these conditions, O'Sullivan highlights the intricate connection between the mind, body, and societal influences on illness. The book takes readers on a journey through diverse cultures and communities, shedding light on the complexities of psychosomatic disorders and their impact on individuals' well-being. O'Sullivan's clear writing style and ability to make readers care about the sufferers of these diseases create a compelling narrative that invites reflection on the human condition and our understanding of health.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is straightforward and compassionate, making complex medical concepts understandable.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative delves into the complexities of psychosomatic disorders, emphasizing cultural influences and personal narratives.

Setting:

The setting spans multiple countries, focusing on both clinical and cultural landscapes.

Pacing:

Pacing differs; some parts are very engaging due to first-hand accounts, while others feel less compelling.

Genres:

nonfiction

medical literature

psychology

Topics:

psychosomatic illness

functional disorders

cultural bound syndromes

mental health

medicalization of illness

health and illness

cultural perspectives on medicine

personal narratives of disease

Notes:

The book explores psychosomatic functional disorders through the experience of a physician.

It reflects on how diagnosis can create a self-fulfilling process in patients.

Functional disorders can form in reinforcing feedback loops, similar to Panic Disorder.

The author investigates culture-bound psychosomatic disorders across different countries.

O'Sullivan documents unique afflictions faced by individuals in diverse communities.

The narrative emphasizes the relevance of these disorders to contemporary health discussions.

The book challenges the traditional Western concept of illness.

It highlights the connection between psychosocial environments and psychosomatic illnesses.

Symptoms can result from distress responses, not just pathologies.

The writing is accessible, making complex issues understandable for the general public.

The author advocates for recognition of functional illness as a valid medical condition.

Real-life cases illustrate how symptoms can be linked to social dynamics.

The book discusses the implications of new diagnoses like Prolonged Grief Disorder within the DSM.

It urges a reconsideration of how we label and approach illness in healthcare.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include discussions of mental health, chronic illnesses, and sensitive topics related to diagnoses and medical experiences.

From The Publisher:

In Sweden, hundreds of refugee children fall into a state that resembles sleep for months or years at a time. In Le Roy, a town in upstate New York, teenage girls develop involuntary twitches and seizures that spread like a conta-gion. In the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, employees experience headaches and memory loss after hearing strange noises during the night. These are only a few of the many sus-pected culture-bound psychosomatic syndromes-specific sets of symptoms that exist in a particular culture or environment-that affect people throughout the world.

In The Sleeping Beauties, Dr. Suzanne O'Sullivan-an award-winning Irish neurologist-investigates psychosomatic disorders, traveling the world to visit communi-ties suffering from these so-called mystery illnesses. From a derelict post-Soviet mining town in Kazakhstan to the Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua to the heart of the María Mountains in Colombia, O'Sullivan records the remark-able stories of syndromes related to her by people from all walks of life. Riveting and often distressing, these case studies are recounted with compassion and humanity.

In examining the complexity of psychogenic illness, O'Sullivan has written a book of both fascination and se-rious concern as these syndromes continue to proliferate around the globe.

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