Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness is the memoir of Susannah Cahalan, a twentysomething who appears to have it all--a prestigious reporter job, a new boyfriend, and an exciting life in New York City. However, her life turned upside down when she started experiencing unexplainable and frightening symptoms such as paranoia, seizures, and hallucinations.

During this time Susannah and her family sought answers, but with each negative test result doctors became confused and unable to provide a definitive diagnosis. They eventually found a doctor who was determined to find an answer. He diagnosed her with the rare, and still quite misunderstood autoimmune disease, anti-NMDA-receptor autoimmune encephalitis. With a diagnosis, both Susannah and her family felt a sense of hope, although her journey in battling the disease became filled with painful physical treatments and heart-wrenching emotional moments. Through persistence and her unwavering supportive environment, Susannah persisted through to recovery and is now an awareness advocate for the disease.

This book can assist counselors, as it highlights the need for those in the helping professions to express empathic understanding, not only to students and clients but to those who are also a part of the support environment, such as family and friends. As evidenced by Susannah’s experience, it was the physician who committed endless time and energy into solving her medical mystery, who was eventually able to provide the road to recovery. As counselors, we can facilitate such a road--one that provides hope and support for the future.