What We Fear Most: A Psychiatrist’s Journey to the Heart of Madness / BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week

About the Book

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

---

'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.

---

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.

About the Author :
Dr Ben Cave is the pen name of a practising general and forensic psychiatrist, also a specialist in substance misuse, medico-legal expert and a member of the judiciary. Over a career spanning almost 35 years, he has worked as a prison psychiatrist, community psychiatrist and as a consultant in medium-, low-secure and general mental health units. He has dealt with the whole range of psychiatric conditions, from personality disorders and schizophrenia to addictions, and continues to make challenging judgment calls on when patients are no longer a risk to themselves or others and can be released back into the community. This is Dr Ben's first book.

Review :
'A beautifully balanced and compassionately written memoir ... This is a fascinating account of a fascinating journey.' - Dr Richard Shepherd, bestselling author of Unnatural Causes 'Impressive at every level. If mental illness is now being talked about, then this is the book to start the conversation. What happens when the brain breaks? Read Dr Cave to find out.' - Jeremy Vine, journalist and broadcaster 'A beautifully written invitation to glimpse into Cave's often painful, but ultimately uplifting journey.' - Kerry Daynes, bestselling author of The Dark Side of the Mind 'Dr Ben Cave approaches what is often a much misunderstood area of mental illness with sensitivity and pragmatism. His sense of humour and humanity shine through.' - Jo Brand 'Delightfully entertaining, witty, surprising, horrifying, and harrowing - all part of life in forensic mental health services' - Professor Kamaldeep Bhui, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford 'The expert knowledge contained in this book will help us all gain a crucial understanding of the complex issue of mental health.' - Jonathan Agnew, cricket commentator and former professional cricketer 'the most mesmerising, haunting and seductive book I have read in years... I have no doubt it will take it's place atop the new wave of literary, medical professionals.' - Amol Rajan, journalist and media editor 'A compelling insight into the tragic and at times frightening truth about what happens behind locked doors.' - Marjorie Wallace CBE, founder and CEO of SANE 'A riveting, moving, frightening, highly personal, at times depressing and yet surprisingly humorous account of a life in forensic psychiatry.' - Dr Phil Hammond, British physician, broadcaster, comedian and commentator 'Cave has a compassionate, hopeful attitude towards his work, despite some incredibly sad experiences and challenging situations' - Charlotte Runcie, Daily Telegraph