What We Fear Most

A Psychiatrist’s Journey to the Heart of Madness / BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week

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What We Fear Most

By: Dr Ben Cave

Narrated by: David Rintoul

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About this listen

* BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK * LONGLISTED FOR THE CWA'S ALCS GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTION AWARD *

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'Impressive at every level' - Jeremy Vine

'Poignant, funny, engrossing' - Jo Brand

'A sensitive and immersive voyage through the career of a forensic psychiatrist' - Kerry Daynes

'A beautifully balanced and compassionately written memoir... This is a fascinating account of a fascinating journey' - Dr Richard Shepherd

Meet Dr Ben Cave. For over thirty years he has worked in prisons and secure hospitals diagnosing and treating some of the most troubled men and women in society. A lifetime of care takes us from delusional disorders to schizophrenia, steroid abuse to drug dependency, personality disorders to paedophilia, and depression so severe a mother can kill her own baby.

These are the human stories behind the headlines. The reality of a life spent working with patients with the severest mental health disorders. The tragic and often frightening truth about what happens behind closed doors.

Dr Ben Cave takes us on a journey to the heart of this highly emotive environment, putting himself under the microscope as well as his patients. In the process, he allows us to share what they have taught each other, and how it has changed them. To share the psychological battle scars that come with a career on the frontline of our health service. To learn about the brilliant mental health nurses for whom physical injury and verbal abuse are a daily hazard. To learn about ourselves, and what we fear most.

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Thoughtful, revealing, often haunting and always enlightening, if you liked Unnatural Causes by Dr Richard Shepherd, Do No Harm by Henry Marsh and This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay this book is for you.©2022 Ben Cave (P)2022 Seven Dials

Dr Ben CaveDavid RintoulSeven Dials

Medical

Murder

Professionals & Academics

Social Sciences

True Crime

Violence in Society

Health

Mental Health

Crime

Funny

Inspiring

Thought-Provoking

Witty

Medical Murder Professionals & Academics Social Sciences True Crime Violence in Society Health Mental Health Crime Funny Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty

Critic reviews

"Poignant, funny, engrossing." (Jo Brand)

Most relevant

Fascinating memoir of a psychiatrist who has worked in the NHS and prisons, this book is read by a superb narrator whose voice has the warmth, compassion, self doubt and honesty to make it a superb read. There are some parts which are horrifying as you would expect but it is balanced with wit and wisdom. You learn a lot about types of mental illness, the art of treatment decisions and the challenge of living with these issues. Overall; excellent.