What We Fear Most: Reflections on a Life in Forensic Psychiatry / Described by Kerry Daynes as 'an immersive voyage' and by Dr Richard Shepherd as 'a fascinating journey'

LONGLISTED FOR THE CWA'S ALCS GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTION AWARD --- '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. 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 Tragic And Often Frightening Tales Of The Conversations That Happen Behind Closed Doors. The Reality Of A Life Spent Working With Patients With Mental Health Disorders. Drawing On His Years Of Training And Extensive Experience In This Highly Emotive Environment, Dr Ben Cave Takes Us On A Journey Of Reflection. It's About His Patients, But It's Also About Him. It's About What They Have Taught Each Other And How It Has Changed Him. It's About The Psychological Battle Scars He Has Carried With Him After A Career On The Frontline Of Our Health Service. It's About The Brilliant Mental Health Nurses For Whom Physical Injury And Verbal Abuse Are A Daily Hazard. It's About The Mad And The Bad. It's About All Of Us, And What We Fear Most. ------ Thoughtful, Revealing, Often Haunting And Always Enlightening, If You Liked All That Remains, Unnatural Causes, Do No Harm And This Is Going To Hurt This Book Is For You. "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"--Publisher's description An utterly compelling journey through the life and case files of one of the UK's leading forensic psychiatrists.