Falling into the Fire

A Psychiatrist's Encounters with the Mind in Crisis

By: Christine Montross

Narrated by: Christine Montross

Falling into the Fire is psychiatrist Christine Montross's thoughtful investigation of the gripping patient encounters that have challenged and deepened her practice. The majority of the patients Montross treats in Falling into the Fire are seen in the locked inpatient wards of a psychiatric hospital; all are in moments of profound crisis. We meet a young woman who habitually commits self-injury, having ingested light bulbs, a box of nails, and a steak knife, among other objects. Her repeated visits to the hospital incite the frustration of the staff, leading Montross to examine how emotion can interfere with proper care. A recent college graduate, dressed in a tunic and declaring that love emanates from everything around him, is brought to the ER by his concerned girlfriend. Is it ecstasy or psychosis? What legal ability do doctors have to hospitalize - and sometimes medicate - a patient against his will? A new mother is admitted with incessant visions of harming her child. Is she psychotic and a danger or does she suffer from obsessive thoughts? Her course of treatment - and her child's future - depends upon whether she receives the correct diagnosis.

Each case study presents its own line of inquiry, leading Montross to seek relevant psychiatric knowledge from diverse sources. A doctor of uncommon curiosity and compassion, Montross discovers lessons in medieval dancing plagues, in leading forensic and neurological research, and in moments from her own life. Beautifully written, deeply felt, Falling into the Fire brings us inside the doctor’s mind, illuminating the grave human costs of mental illness as well as the challenges of diagnosis and treatment. At once rigorous and meditative, Falling into the Fire is an intimate portrait of psychiatry, allowing the reader to witness the humanity of the practice and the enduring mysteries of the mind.

©2013 Christine Montross (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

An in-depth look into psychiatry

I really enjoyed listening to Christine divulge her experiences as a psychiatrist. She discusses the this and feelings of some of her patients, and what it is she is supposed to do to help them.

Intriguing, terrifying, a must read

So good I listened to it twice. This book is packed with shocking yet captivating first hand tales from a veteran psychiatrist who also narrates this book. Her voice is oddly calming and relaxing. One could almost fall asleep to it but the content is too good to miss!

Mixed Bag but Interesting mixed bag

it's definitely more personal that I originally thought when purchasing. however, I appreciate the authors insight and thought process as someone who has been hospitalized. She also dabbles into various sub sections of pathology - it's not everyone's cup of tea but I enjoyed it since I also share those various connections to social phenomena and, great historical artists. if you're looking for an "objective" informative book in psychiatry/medicine this is not it. She shares her thoughts but I don't think they take away.

Thank goodness for Audible’s speed control.

I was so grateful to be able to speed up the agonizingly slow narration. I would have much preferred a few more stories vs a handful of very long stories.

Learned a lot from this book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If my friend likes books about mental illness then yes..this was a great read.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the detail that the author went into regarding each patient.

Have you listened to any of Christine Montross’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't think so

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

not really