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

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I have only read a handful of books that were so incredible, inspiring, and impactful that they will be etched into my mind forever. I knew that this was one of them when I started writing my good reads review in my notes app after only having read 10%. 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 Most of all, I had to stop (quite often) and think hard. In fact, I'm still thinking about this book, and it's months since I finished it. 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

a beautifully balanced and compassionately written memoir… This is a fascinating account of a fascinating journey’– Dr Richard Shepherd Why do you think there is so much interest in books about mental health? Is it related to the pandemic? A beautifully balanced and compassionately written memoir ... This is a fascinating account of a fascinating journey.' - Dr Richard Shepherd, bestselling author of Unnatural Causes 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

What We Fear Most

That being said, I otherwise enjoyed this book and thought it was a powerful depiction of mental health and how and why it fails to flourish. There are lots of references to drug abuse, childhood trauma and addictions that seem to tie many of the offender stories closely together. Priory consultant Dr Humphrey Needham-Bennett’s autobiography about life in forensic psychiatry has been chosen by BBC Radio 4 as its Book of the Week. I laughed, I cried, I learned and I finished it feeling a renewed sense of motivation in my career. What more could you ask for from a book? This book was given to me by a family friend on the 8th of July, and by morning of the 10th, I had finished reading. I just couldn’t put it down. Now, I’m planning to give this book to everyone this Christmas - it is just so good!

You can’t treat a prisoner under the Mental Health Act while they are still in prison. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider this. There is so much mental illness in prisons, we’re never realistically going to get everyone treated in hospitals. We need medicine and therapy in our prisons.” A beautifully balanced and compassionately written memoir… This is a fascinating account of a fascinating journey’– Dr Richard Shepherd 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 Wow! What a book! I took my time to read (study) this book because I wanted to get into the heart of the message. I wanted to understand and view Mental Illness through the eyes of the psychiatrist and through the eyes of an everyday citizen. The stories here, expertly written by Dr. Ben Cave, are insightful and eye-opening. Not to talk of the free Medical, Psychiatry and Law classes included. LOL!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. 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