But You Look Fine: Trapped in the Hell Between Sick and Well and How To Break Free

by Amy Kurtz

Health coach, patient advocate and wellness advisor, Amy Kurtz, breaks the silence about the crucial, painful, pervasive, and yet all too common phase of healing from chronic illness that has long gone overlooked…until now.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 194 million Americans—or 76.4 percent of the population—have at least one chronic illness, and half of them are women. While many of these individuals finally have a diagnosis, and are no longer “sick”, they’re still not “well.” They’ve gone through the treatments, taken the medications, and yet still find themselves suffering. So, what do you do after you’ve discovered the root of your condition, and you’re still not healed? How do you move past the trauma of being diagnosed (which often takes years for many patients), as well as the trauma of now living with this condition. More importantly, what is this limbo between sick and well that so many patients find themselves in?  
  
The answer is Medical Trauma Brain, a phrase Health coach and patient advocate Amy Kurtz coined after years of research into her own challenges with misdiagnosed Lyme disease. Medical Trauma Brain is the trauma that hangs on pervasively even after the patient is “cured” keeping them stuck in the hell between sick and well. It’s the most overlooked but crucial part of healing, and in But You Look Fine, Amy shares the exact plan she used to move through this integral part of recovery so others can finally break free from their own bridge between sick and well.
 
Mark Hyman says “Amy Kurtz exposes a common occurrence that until now has gone unnamed and undiscussed by doctors and patients alike. Not only does she reveal this roadblock to wellness, but she also offers solutions, ones that we can all apply to our lives whether chronically ill, newly diagnosed, or labeled “cured.” This is a paradigm shifting book and a must-read.”
 

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Counselling

304 pages, Hardcover

Published June 9, 2026

About the author

Amy Kurtz is a trailblazing author, certified health coach, patient advocate and speaker dedicated to empowering patients to reclaim agency over their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. A distinct voice in the health space, Amy’s work has been heralded by Dr Mark Hyman, Kris Carr, and many more. Lena Dunham named Kicking Sick one of her “Top 10 desert island books of all time” in New York Magazine. Amy has been featured on Oprah Daily, Good Morning America, The Boston Globe, NYMAG, Fox, and more.

In her debut book, “Kicking Sick: Your GO-TO GUIDE for thriving with chronic health conditions,” Amy shares her journey of living with chronic health conditions and provides a roadmap and actionable guidance to help readers manage debilitating conditions and live fully.

Amy’s brand new second book, “But You Look Fine, Trapped in the Hell between Sick and Well and How to Break Free,” breaks the silence about the crucial, painful, pervasive, and yet all too common phase of healing from chronic illness that has long gone overlooked…until now.

Find Amy on IG @_amykurtz

Reviews

[Layla V · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ Star Review on But You Look Fine by Amy Kurtz

Where do I even begin? When I received an invitation from NetGalley to read this book, I instantly knew it would become a significant part of my life. I have multiple chronic illnesses and constantly face the complications due to that and the flaws and of the healthcare system. From the very first page, I was captivated by Amy’s detailed descriptions of her experiences and expertise in chronic illness. Her portrayal of the daily lives and challenges faced by chronically ill individuals was profound. I’ve read many books on chronic illnesses and medical topics, none resonated with me as deeply as this one. I felt truly seen, heard, and understood, which is unfortunately rare for most chronically ill people.

Amy’s concept of MTB, or Medical Trauma Brain, is particularly intriguing. It’s essentially a form of PTSD or trauma related to medical experiences that can leave you feeling stuck, even if you’re physically better. I was surprised to learn that MTB isn’t officially recognized as a “real” or known condition or diagnosis. Amy thoughtfully explains the process of MTB, its management, and its impact. She also delves into the six phases of chronic illnesses that can trigger MTB. As someone recently diagnosed with PTSD specifically related to medical trauma, I deeply relate to Amy’s concept of MTB. This book was incredibly insightful, and I’m glad it’s gaining more attention.

The amount of research Amy invested in understanding MTB and writing this novel is truly remarkable. She studied various books, articles, and medical findings, and most importantly, she reached out to chronically ill individuals to gather their firsthand experiences. This book is a must-read for anyone with or who knows someone with a chronic illness or anyone seeking to gain more knowledge on the topic.

[Reyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5?)
I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway!

I put off reading this book for quite a while because I often find that I'm not the right audience for books that fall into the "psychology for the general public" genre, but I finally sat down with it today. I will admit that I did skim through it, but largely because I didn't really resonate with the narrative voice. Others definitely might, but even starting with the title, it just wasn't for me. There were subsections titled "Move Yo Body" and "Calm the F Down" and other things like "Avoidance Acres" that just didn't really resonate with me, but I think that speaks to how the most important part of therapy is your rapport with the therapist (so the most important part of books like this is also the narrative voice).

Despite not loving the writing, I will say that I was pleasantly surprised by a lot of the covered topics. Here are my notes from the book:
-The concept of Medical Trauma Brain (MTB) from chronic illness. Anything that refers to long-term trauma, CPTSD, and things in the allostatic load umbrella is a really great connection.
-Phases: WTF, the diagnosis, identity shift, treatment hell, isolation, the hamster wheel (11-13)
-The resilience trap (I think this would've been a great place to connect ACT, mindfulness, radical acceptance, and more)
-Event, Experience, Effects (33)
-Fear loops: activation town, conditioned response-ville, avoidance acres, hypervigilance hills, repetition circle, constricted reality blvd (39)
-Somatic threat (43)
-The survival f's (53)
-Western medical mindset (68)
-Somatic Experiencing and titration (106)
-Four r's (109) ready, routine, reality check, reframe
-SUDS
-Masks, identity
-Self-health coaching: doctors, alternative medicine, nutrition, movement, sleep/waking/personal routines, essential care
-Finding the right doctor for you
-Diaphragmatic breathing (108), a lot of other stuff about cbt emdr SE etc
-Choosing a therapist (222)
-Feeling your feelings with RAIN (227)
-Mindfulness

I don't see much about somatic experiencing and EMDR in written form, so I appreciate how this book increases accessibility to that. It also provides multiple guided exercises for people to engage with, which is great for folks who may not be able to seek a therapist or talk to their therapist about using those techniques in session. The book acknowledges the siloed medical healthcare system and the lack of interprofessional care leading to a lot of individual burden to manage symptoms, and encourages clients to explore what works for them. I think that I was really surprised to see things like SUDS and somatic threat being referenced, which places this book a step above other self-help / psychology books that I've come across.

The book also encourages readers to build their care team, recognizing that the book itself is not the end of the line treatment for the reader, which I think is responsible. It's definitely the voice of a health advocate, and I think it's a nice guide. I just wish that the title and narrative voice were a little bit less... millennial-coded? I really underestimated this book based on the cover and title, and I only really read it because I won it in the giveaway and it's my field.

[Amy (ReadThisAndSteep) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful book that compassionately examines the trauma of chronic illness while offering a roadmap for reprogramming the nervous system and reclaiming wholeness.

Reading this book felt very personal to me. I live with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. I didn't present in a straightforward way, so it took nearly 10 years to get diagnosed, and I was misdiagnosed along the way. That period of my life was stressful, confusing, and frankly exhausting. Kurtz addresses how hard it can be to get diagnosed and how damaging that period can be. She calls what it does to you and your nervous system the "Medical Trauma Brain." And she offers a clear, easy to follow plan to help.

After her own personal battle with misdiagnosed Lyme disease, Kurtz's research led her to find that searching for a diagnosis and living with a chronic condition is so exhausting and emotional that it leaves a lasting and traumatic imprint on the mind. And that ignoring this mental trauma is a mistake, as it can impede treatment. She also goes into how patients often feel pressured to look and act fine and to push through pain, exhaustion, etc. And many times, symptoms can be invisible or hard to explain, and even after receiving treatment, a person may still not be well. A situation that can add another layer of difficulty and isolation. Not only did I feel seen, but I know others living with chronic illnesses, who would benefit from the validation in these pages too.

Kurtz's writing is accessible and warm. While well-researched, this does not read like a textbook, it's more conversational in tone. Kurtz does a good job of explaining the medical aspects in everyday language and balances the biological with the emotional. I'm not sure every suggestion in this book would work for me, but there are enough that choosing what might work for me is easy, and I plan to implement a few of them. A very interesting read!

Thank you to GCP Balance for the gifted review copy, all opinions are my own.

[Bookish Emili Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

But You Look Fine: Trapped in the Hell Between Sick and Well and How to Break Free is a powerful, validating, and deeply compassionate book that put words to an experience so many people live but struggle to explain. Amy Kurtz captures the invisible, exhausting reality of existing in the space between “not sick enough” and “not well enough” with honesty, clarity, and grace.
What makes this book exceptional is how seen it makes the reader feel. Kurtz doesn’t minimize the emotional, physical, or mental toll of chronic illness—especially when that illness is invisible to others. Her writing is both accessible and impactful, blending personal insight with practical guidance in a way that feels supportive rather than prescriptive. I appreciated how she acknowledges grief, frustration, and isolation while still offering hope, agency, and tools for reclaiming identity beyond illness.
The tone is compassionate and empowering, never dismissive or overly optimistic. Instead, it encourages self‑trust, boundary‑setting, and redefining what “wellness” can look like on an individual level. This book doesn’t just describe the problem—it offers a path forward that feels realistic and sustainable.
But You Look Fine is a must‑read for anyone navigating chronic illness, medical gaslighting, or the quiet loneliness of being misunderstood. It’s also an important read for caregivers and loved ones who want to better understand what this experience truly entails. This is one of those rare books that feels like both a mirror and a lifeline—and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

[Mandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author shared from her personal experience with chronic illness and as a fellow disabled person, I can relate to a lot of the negative medical experiences she had. some of the tools shared are also really helpful, especially in managing anxiety.

However, I was not able to get through the whole book with ease. I ended up skimming through the second half. A lot of the analogies and metaphors used require people to know relevant culture, especially things like pop culture, and I think this runs the risk of making a lot of this content irrelevant after a period of time. While the author made an effort to sound like she was talking to a friend in her writing style, it did not come off as genuine to me and her shares about searching for the right healthcare provider seem to come from a place of privilege, as not many people have the option to choose healthcare providers. I felt that it did not truly address the systemic barriers people face. Lastly, as a Disability Justice proponent, some of the language used does not come from a Justice perspective, like indicating that a person living with chronic illness is suffering. Not everyone feels this way and I feel that the book was written from this perspective.

[Callie Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

But You Look Fine by Amy Kurtz talks about something that many people with chronic illness experience but rarely see discussed. Even after diagnosis or treatment, a lot of people are left feeling stuck somewhere between sick and well. The title really captures that frustrating moment when others assume everything is fine just because you look okay on the outside.

Kurtz introduces the idea of “Medical Trauma Brain,” which describes the lasting mental and emotional impact of going through illness, misdiagnosis, and years of navigating the healthcare system. I thought this was one of the most interesting parts of the book because it gave language to something many patients feel but struggle to explain.

Overall this was a thoughtful and validating read. It highlights an often overlooked part of recovery and will likely resonate with readers who have experienced chronic illness themselves. I would highly recommend this book to others who struggle with chronic illness it definitely highlighted something within myself.

[Rachel Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a chronic illness spoonie, I've read a lot of books about living with illness, but But You Look Fine by Amy Kurtz felt different. It put words to experiences so many of us have lived but struggled to explain...medical trauma, feeling stuck between sick and well, masking our symptoms, and learning to trust ourselves again.

What resonated most with me was Amy's discussion of Medical Trauma Brain (MTB) and "The Shadowlands", that confusing space where you may look fine on the outside but are still carrying the impact of everything you've been through.

I also had the pleasure of speaking with Amy on The SpoonFull Show, and she is exactly who she comes across as in her writing: warm, knowledgeable, compassionate, and deeply committed to helping people feel seen and understood.

If you've ever felt dismissed, misunderstood, or alone in your chronic illness journey, I highly recommend this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rachel Hayden
Host of The SpoonFull Show Podcast

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks · Rating 2 out of 5]

A physician endorsement is not enough to elevate this book for this reader.

The blurb reminded this Reader of the Golden Girls episode where Dorothy, frustrated by her primary doctor, then still later a hoity out of State specialist, as to diagnosing her condition. The initial conclusion ? If it can't be named, it doesn't exist. Or. it's all in your head.

That seems to be one of the responses given to this Author, alongside naming 'it' to fit in a known category. Her frustrations with the medical community are valid. Just wish there was some cohesiveness to the writing. Each chapter stood on its one but when put together read like a fractured piece.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing | Balance for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was clearly well researched. The first half of the book the author shares a lot of personal stories and stories she has gathered from others. The second half gets down to ways to improve your trauma. However, not all of the suggestions are going to make sense for every person. There are a lot of us living with chronic illness that will never get better. Telling me I need to rest is both obvious and a little bit of a downer knowing that a lot of us must work full time to survive and the only down time we have is spent resting. Over all it could be a good book for certain people depending on if their illness can be healed. I would say a lot of us will never get over the trauma of living a life we would never choose for our worst enemy.

[Emily Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a mental health journalist, I believe every patient's story has value, and Kurtz's is no exception. Her personal story (living with chronic illness, fighting a medical system that repeatedly fails her, carrying the psychological weight of both) is worth reading. I wanted more of it. The book lost me when it pivoted into a framework. Calling her experience "Medical Trauma Brain" felt less like a revelation than a repackaging of what clinicians and illness memoirists have been saying for years. Her lived experience didn't need the branding, at least for me. I suspect that for others, "MTB" will help the material stick.

Thank you to Fortier Public Relations for the advance review copy.

[Ginger Hudock · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a combination of a memoir and a self-help book for people with chronic illnesses. It succeeds in both of these areas, but the book was not for me because of the numerous profanities the author uses. I realize using profanities has become popular in some parts of our society, but I do not prefer it. If you are someone who has suffered from medical trauma, perhaps due to a long term or severe illness, then definitely get help. this book may or may not be one source for that help.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first 50 pages or so and then skimmed the rest. Though it wasn't for me, I am hoping that this book will help alleviate the pains, stress and fears associated with health issues. As such, I will gladly pass this book along to someone who will get more benefit from it. Thank you to the author. {H}

[baked and booked]

NET GALLEY ARC

[Ginny Yurich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must needed subject matter and very well written!

[Dan Rosensweig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every patient with a chronic or acute illness needs to read this book! It is essential reading

[Nicole Lajambe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. It really makes you feel like you are not alone with your battles.
It’s definitely one book that you will keep going back to it over and over.
It’s a must read for anyone.
Good job

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a completely groundbreaking book. I have never felt more seen. Anyone who has ever been a warrior of any kind of illness/ or a survivor needs to read this incredibly insightful, paradigm shifting book. If you have ever been sick or loved someone who has, you must read/ gift this book. Amy bravely single handedly takes this much needed conversation out of the shadows....for all of us.