• The Hypochondriac's Handbook

  • Syndromes, Diseases, and Ailments that Probably Should Have Killed You By Now
  • By: Ian Landau
  • Narrated by: Robert Blumenfeld
  • Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (21 ratings)

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The Hypochondriac's Handbook

By: Ian Landau
Narrated by: Robert Blumenfeld
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Editorial reviews

It’s funny because it’s true. Hypochondriacs live in fear of sickness, imagining exposure to deadly contagion or being victimized by medical malpractice. Although not possessed of a background in medicine, author Ian Landau has painstakingly researched and outlined the direst details any hypochondriac could hear. Rare diseases and their bizarre symptoms are described in this efficient guidebook in creepy detail. Pictures are provided for oomph. Landau also provides clear confirmation that some diseases remain untreatable, and that others are yet to be identified. The data here provokes real laughs, nervous giggles, and downright horror. The title The Hypochondriac's Handbook: Syndromes, Diseases, and Ailments that Probably Should Have Killed You by Now startles the listener awake. Narrator Robert Blumenfeld walks the line between funny and terrifying.

Publisher's summary

Sure, everyone gets sick sometimes, but do you realize that plenty of those folks also die slow, unpleasant deaths from diseases that stumped even the experts at top-notch (still privately run) hospitals? That's right: There are plenty of illnesses that even physicians have never heard about. Nodding Disease, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, and Cutaneous Horn (yes, you grow a horn) are all featured here in pithy, energetic entries. You won't have to worry about socialized medicine if you have this book - even if your doc could see you within a month, you might die due to his ignorance.

Lucky for you and your loved ones, Ian Landau (who has no medical training but is a hell of a researcher) includes descriptions of each disease Background and history, how to diagnose yourself and others, suggested treatments, prevention methods. The book is not for the faint of heart, as it probably could cause cardiac arrest. (And you ain't coming back from that without Ian's help.)

©2010 Ian Landau (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

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Fine until it included pseudoscience

A very fun, fairly light listen until you reach the chapter on Morgellons Disease. This is widely regarded as an unsubstantiated, self-diagnosed, and unscientific skin condition, often intertwined with conspiracy theories and is a condition that has repeatedly been seen as connected to delusional infestations / delusional parasitosis in general. The entire chapter feels like “both sides-ism” and while mentioning the controversial nature of Morgellons, severely downplays the fact that few medical professionals and researchers view it as a real disease unique from other delusions and failing entirely to mention that Mary Leitao (the non-doctor who coined the name Morgellons) was described by many doctors as exhibiting symptoms of factitious disorder imposed on another (i.e. FDIA and previously Münchausen syndrome by proxy). It really poisoned the well of the book as a whole.

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A great book

A wonderful book that I found to be developmental and maturative for a young man coming of age such as myself. I found this book to be worthwhile and generally intelligent and I further highly recommend this book.

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