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

"Poignant, funny, engrossing." (Jo Brand)
All stars
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I loved this book. It has been one of the most thought provoking and inspiring audiobooks I have ever listened to. The narration was perfect and I paused only for bathroom breaks and cups of tea. I shall be recommending it to everyone, especially colleagues in the nursing profession.

fantastic book

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I have to say that this is probably the best book I’ve listened to. Dark, witty, superbly written and narrated. Great job

Best Book Ever

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I've worked in mental healthcare for sometime and its difficult to hear some of Dr Cave's cases without becoming emotional. Skilfully written and beautifully read, I wish more people understood how complex and challenging this care is.

My most abiding reflection is Dr Cave's unwavering kindness... its a wonderful book.

Please read this book...

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I was always in awe of “Ben” after his exposé of a London Cat A prison. As a more junior trainee reading in his footsteps he was an impossible act to follow. I too was a friend of Dacha, her funeral was the most powerful tragic experience that 3 generations of psychiatrists have born witness. Perfectly captured. Brilliantly told storey of a rich vein of life experience in all its shades.

Man crush

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I am a consultant psychologist so I was ready to think “nothing new here” but not at all, this is absolutely one of the very best books in psychology or Psychiatry I have ever come across in 50 years.
Written in a straightforward chronological way from start to finish of this part of his career, but written so well, and such insight into what is going on with each patient, and linking that unobtrusively with relevant legal concepts, diagnostic ones, and Psychological ones that it is just masterful.
For me the whole thing is just so enjoyable I’m tempted to start again at the beginning immediately! And, because I have been dictating this, it has immediately started again. Clever, this audible app!

Brilliant case studies.

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