Abstract:
In Misdiagnosis: A Physician's Triumph Over His Thirty-Year Battle With Depression, Dr Alan Cohen offers the dual perspective of a healer who helped others overcome a life-threatening illness from which he also suffered. With a brilliant blend of wit, irony, and unflinching candor, Cohen recounts the painful tale of a chaotic life. A correct diagnosis of Bipolar 2 Disorder after his first suicide attempt at age twenty, could have spared him twelve psychiatric hospitalizations and over thirty electroshock therapy treatments. With vivid detail, Cohen recounts his fight with cancer, his professional and personal losses, and his struggles with finding a lasting relationship. These stressors often triggered his recurrent episodes of severe depression. Offering hope for fellow sufferers, Cohen shares his experiences with conventional treatments and alternative healing modalities. His story demonstrates the importance of a holistic understanding of health, treatment, and correct diagnosis. Misdiagnosis is a must read for anyone struggling with depression or bipolar disorder.