The Other Side of the Couch: A Psychiatrist Solves His Most Unusual Cases

by Gary Small, Gigi Vorgan

“Stories of human behavior at its most extreme….With humor, compassion, empathy, and insight, Small searches for and finds the humanity that lies hidden under even the most bizarre symptoms.”
—Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind
 
A psychiatrist’s stories of his most bizarre cases, The Other Side of the Couch (originally published in hardcover as The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head ) by Gary Small, M.D., and Gigi Vorgan—co-authors of The Memory Bible —offers a fascinating and highly entertaining look into the peculiarities of the human mind. In the vein of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Awakenings , and the other bestselling works of Oliver Sacks, The Other Side of the Couch surprises, enthralls, and illuminates as it focuses on medical mysteries that would stump and amaze the brilliant brains on House, M.D.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Psychiatry, Mental Health

267 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2011

Reviews

[Kadir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kitapta beni rahatsız eden şey olayların pat diye bağlanmasıydı.Dr Small hastanın sorununu bulmak için o kadar uğraşıyor ve sorunu bulduktan sonra bir paragrafta olanları anlatıyor ve o bölüm bitiyor.Tabii bu konuda yazarları suçlamam ne kadar doğru bilemem çünkü hasta tedaviyi bıraktıktan sonra 'kaynak' da bitmiş oluyor ya da dr small hastanın sorununu bulduktan sonra anlatılacak fazla şey kalmıyor...Bazı bölümlerde yaşadığım yarım kalmışlık hissi dışında ilgiyle ve eğlenerek okuduğum bir kitap oldu.Doktorumuzun hastaların sorunlarını düşünürken onların hissettikleriyle kendi hayatında yaşadığı şeylerin ilgisini kurmasını hoş buldum.Dr Small'ın kitabı beraber yazdığı eşine çok şey borçlu olduğunu düşünüyorum büyük ihtimalle kitabın akıcı dili onun kalemiyle oluştu.

[Naila Shiraliyeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was exactly what I was searching for: A lot of information about medicine and medical disorders was just an inspiration for a med-student like me. i recommend this book to everyone who is interested in psychology and psychiatry, it's just amazing :)

[İlhan Kesken · Rating 3 out of 5]

There should be more books like this, putting a simple and easy-to-understand view to physchology or what they call it "pop physocology". Ordinary people need simplified expressions of scientific matters.

[Berna · Rating 2 out of 5]

İnsan ister istemez Irvin Yalom'la karşılaştırıyor ve onun kitaplarındaki derinliği ve anlatımı yakalayamayınca da
hayal kırıklığına uğruyor..

[Gen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting to me as a psychology student. I found the disorders in the stories very enlightening and cool. For those who are interested in psychology or psychiatry, I recommend it. It was a good read.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! The author wrote this book very well & convoyed layman terms to those who aren't psychristic but are interested in the subject. The tales are very interesting to say the least. A must read.

[Neşe Kılıç yazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psikiyatri ile ilgili her konuda bitmek bilmez bir utanç var. Çoğumuz kendi derinliklerimizde yatan psikolojik sorunlarımıza bakmaktan korkuyoruz, içimizi yaralayan olayların nedenini sorgulamadan ve yeniden yaşayacağımızı bile bile.. Halbuki saklamaya çalıştığımız duygusal acılarımız, kimi zaman heyecanımızda, kimi zaman ilişkilerimizde ve inancımızda, kimi zaman almaya çalıştığımız nefeste, kimi zaman kendimizi savunmamızda ve kanıtlamamızda, kimi zaman bağımlılıklarımızda kimi zaman da başkaldırılmış saplantılarımızda açığa çıkar. Bazen de bedenimizi ve ruhumuzu öyle bir ele geçirir ki; kendimizi geçmişin ve bugünün gerçeklerine açacak özgür iradeden yoksun hissederiz. Çare diye başvurduğumuz mantık dışı zevklerimizde aradığımız endorfin sarhoşluğunda kendimizi ödüllendirdiğimizi sanarız. Halbuki, anlık ödüllerde saklı sinsi cezaların basit olasılıklarını asla hesaplamamışızdır..

[Pinar G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bu tip psikoterapi kitaplari cok satiyor, beynin neler yapabilcegi insanlarin cok ilgisini cekiyor. Ki ben de farkli degilim ama bu kitabin dili ve ornekleri beni cok sarmadi. cozumlerdeki acelecilik hos degil

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought-provoking. I liked his down-to-earth approach and controversy about CBT. I also appreciated his explanation of SIG E CAPS, transference, counter-transference and the Rosenham study. http://www.bonkersinstitute.org/rosen...

[Peri Kitapları · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ortada gizli, ilginç bir hikaye yoktu:) terimlerle dolu, yavan anlatımlı bir kitap... Ama , ben de kitap ile birlikte bir ara çocukluğuma indim, ne var ne yoktu bir bakayım diye

[Fahad Abdulghafour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially published as “The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head,” This book is a biography of Dr. Gary Small career, a professor and director of psychiatry at UCLA.

In each chapter, the book is structured to explain many of the strange disorders the professor faced during his career as a psychiatrist. As a reader, you get to see Dr. Gary Small progression as a psychiatrist with each decision he makes with his patients, being right or wrong. Towards the end of the book, Dr Gary Smalls is more confident with his decision-making and approach with his patients and gained a well-respected reputation. This is evident when his own mentor initially seeks his help with his medical condition in the beginning of the book.

Some cases explore patients such as the guy who felt like he wanted to amputate his limb, a psychotic woman who claims to have been raped from a stare, and mass hysteria in high schools. My personal favorite was of the naked lady who stood on her head. She was a major diabetic and was low in blood sugar, so her brain wasn’t functioning properly, and her subconscious brain was trying to calm herself down by taking off her clothes and doing a yoga headstand. She was cured by simply being forced to drink a glass of orange juice.

[Ava Berger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was one of the most enjoyable reads I've undertaken recently. With thrilling wit, perspicuity, and humility, the humanity behind a prestigious, UCLA and Harvard trained psychiatrist is revealed. It was easy to identify with Dr. Small, and this window into his practice was quite illuminating.
As a future psychologist (graduating this semester with dual degrees in Cognitive Science and Psychology,) Dr. Small inclines me to consider clinical practice and all the wonders and valleys associated with it. A foremost attribute of Gary is his geniune curiosity for people and their stories. His pairing with Gigi is immensely fruitful, as the writing captures so many details of their pairing and what it means to each have a successful career and a fulfilling family life. I am inspired, interested, and most of all, grateful that Dr. Small and his wife have spent so much time polishing a truly high definition, introspective, film-esque traversal down memory lane.

[Laila Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a psychiatrist most interesting cases, it's a short easy read, it gets the reader into the mind of a psychiatrist, might also make you understand some people around you and you might find yourself relating to him or some of his patients at times thus understanding yourself a little more, it's also entertaining and interesting, however I can't help but feeling that at times Dr.Small was over diagnosing if I may say, or looking too much into things, other times his very honest feelings and analysis of things made me believe whatever he believes, this book would make an incredible mini series in my opinion.
I definitely recommend adding this book to your bookshelf, particularly if you're into psychiatry/philosophy/autobiography genre, I'm giving it 4/5 stars, have fun!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read appreciated by someone in the field who has worked in both inpatient crisis settings and outpatient therapy and has seen some crazy stuff. Dr Small shares some of his diagnostic white whales throughout the course of his career starting in medical school and taking us through his tenured professorship. It's neat to hear not only about some cases that stumped others, but to see him develop himself as a mental health professional. 3 stars because some of the stories were not that interesting diagnostically although they were good case studies.

[Eduardo Rioseco · Rating 2 out of 5]

Libro ameno con casos psiquiátricos curiosos en los que el autor se pinta a sí mismo como una suerte de Dr. House. Tiende a extenderse demasiado en detalles irrelevantes sobre su propia vida. Me llamó la atención que todo en este libro aparece demasiado bien estructurado: cada caso se cierra de manera perfecta, y hasta la vida personal del autor sigue una trayectoria impecable desde sus días de estudiante hasta su éxito como psiquiatra que atiende a celebridades y escribe best sellers. La vida nunca es tan prolija.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and it ended up being a real page-turner for me! Each chapter is set up similarly in that it talks about how the patient first came to Gary and why. Then it goes into how the sessions opened up the dialogue to narrow down the possibilities and then ultimately how it was resolved or at least where Gary's role in the situation ended. I found each of these cases fascinating and I would highly recommend this book.

[Khadija’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr.Gary presenting the most interesting cases that he faced and managed to solve during his career as Psychiatrist
Its incredible how the brain can lead to the most bizarre behaviors as cooping or defending mechanisms against life stressors and crisis. In this book you would look at the most interesting cases from group hysteria to hysterical pregnancy and more.
Wish to see more of this types of books

[Neval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yazarın dili hikayenin bir kısmında biz de varmışız gibi olmamızı sağlıyor , o kadar güzel ki içindeki insanların yaşadıkları ve travmalarının sebebinin birçoğunu artık hatırlamıyorum ama hala unutamadığım bir kısım çıplak ve amuda kalkmış olan kadındır. Galiba en çok tuhafıma o gitmişti ? Bu yüzden hala o aklımda uzun zaman önce okumuştum kitabı ve hala arada açıp birkaç bölüm vakayı okur kapatırım o derece güzel benim için.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way this book was written. The simplicity of the narrative and how easy it was to read. I could not put it down. I think this book is so insightful into what the future holds for Psychiatry and how unbalanced chemicals in the brain affect everyone at sometime in their lives. This book was very honest, funny and felt real. I would definitely recommend.

[maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

very easy to understand psychology book. there should be more like this. every patient was different with different problems. many thoughts i still remember. very interesting and addictive book for early fans of psychology.

[FAITH YUEN]

It helped me understand more of my work with my clients in sessions.

[norv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bardzo przyjemna książka, szybko się czytało.

[Kamil Matyszczak · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting mental issues, rel 🥸

[Cer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I absolutely hated it. None of these cases were interesting and moreover I don't believe any of these actually happened. It feels like the "doctor" googled unusual cases and unsuccessfully tried to fictionalize them.

The tone is very condescending, sexist, very boomer. I have absolutely no interest in reading his social and financial climb and how he moves to bigger and bigger houses and plays golf with his mentors. Like, at all.

He also doesn't seem to realize that 'we live in a society'. He even seems to defend his colleague who thought women couldn't do science because of their genes. He says women are into shopping, even her teenage daughter is, but doesn't stop to think for one second why that is. Women be shopping I guess. Women who can't have kids feel less than, women talk too much, women are obsessed with Disney, women they try to seduce this guy... Men buy yachts and stuff, they are powerful studio execs. None of these people seemed real. It was just a mess.

Do therapists really not think about why people do/feel things and how society conditions us? Is it just writing 'mild antidepressants' so they will stop doing/thinking those things and never question why in the first place? His explanations and narrating didn't give me comfort at all. Girls are more prone to mass hysteria okay but why? When he doesn't question why, it just reads as "oh because women are emotional and weak, it's just the way it is, it's science." He can keep that to himself.

The way he talks about patients, the way all the doctors talk about people amongst themselves was so condescending. Yes, a lot of people are hesitant about therapy and doctors like this man are exactly the reason.

Of course, this book has no literary merit. But I doubt anyone was expecting that in the first place. I was looking for a fun, interesting read but instead found it incredibly boring with an egotistical narrator and little tidbits about his rich white suburban life with his perfect wife and kids.

[Eda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting book for anyone interested in psychology. The cases described show how important and simultaneously powerful the human mind is, and what it is capable of. I enjoyed reading each and every case.

[Shrouk Shafie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this one by chance while hanging out at the bookstore. But, I remember someone telling me about it previously, so I thought, why not?

I would like to stress on how well it is written, short, to the point, the conclusions are clear along with the reasons for each case. It is like a novel but not. Like a simple talk about psychotherapy.

It is courageous of the authors to express how the psychiatrist feels towards their cases and towards their own career. How sometimes one think of oneself to be an imposter, even the brightest minds.
Each chapter tells a case, each case touched something within me, intrigued my thoughts and memories. How simple things that happened in our childhood, or in our adulthood can cause trauma or induce certain feelings that we never experienced before.

I am so in love with this book. Thanks a lot Dr. Small and Mrs. Vorgan for this overwhelming journey!

[Qelender Memmedli · Rating 3 out of 5]

it is so interesting book, especially to entitle your situation and diseases. Despite this situation, to my mind, it is not ethical to announce someones problem to the world, because of psychiatric secret rules. Yeah, it is true Gary Small, didnt wrote their names, but in my opinion, their memories will come back after this book. In addition, he tried to indoctrinate people, the importance of psychiatry, but his own recognition beat it.
Summary, I think it would be better to read this book for entertainment, and dont have prospects that it will give you new tips about people.

Have a nice read :)

[Dilara Okut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hep aklımda olan bir kitaptı.Bugün okurum, yarın okurum derken en sonunda okundu.Aslında bu tarz romanları (psikoloji,gerilim...)sevdiğim için mi bilmem ama bu roman benim çok hoşuma gitti.Okuması bu kadar kolay ve akıcı psikiyatri//psikoloji kitabına az rastlanır.Konusunda gayet başarılı olan doktor Gary Small'un psikiyatri uzmanlığı sırasında başına gelen ilginç olayları anlatıyor.Okurken vay be ne ilginç insanlar varmış dedğimiz insanları okuyorsunuz.
Psikoloji romanları sevenler açıkçası okumasını tavsiye ederim.

[Emily Rutledge · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cases shared in this book are SO interesting. It is explained so that everyone can follow and learn from his own expertise. The only downfall is that the narration is rather egotistical, super unbiased in terms of characters the author, Dr. Small, didn’t like, and even uncomfortable in terms of the storyline presence of his marriage/wife who happens to be a co-author. While it was interesting to understand personal events in terms of diagnoses and experience, i didn’t find all the details regarding his wife and their relationship necessary.

[Esra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitabı okumayı ilk başta hiç düşünmemiştim, ama geçtiğimiz haftalarda bir arkadaşımla yaptığımız sohbet sonucu merakım kabardı.. Ben de hemen okuyayım dedim.. İyi ki de okumuşum.. Çok güzel şeylere değinilmiş kitapta.. Birçok şey konusunda da bilgi veriyor.. Ama en önemlisi de psikiyatra gitmeyi utanılacak bir durum olarak görmenin ne kadar yanlış olduğunu çok güzel kanıtlamış..
Bana en çok ilginç gelen olay "Elimi Tut Lütfen" başlıklı olandı.. Söylemeden geçmeyeyim dedim :D