In My Room: The Recovery Journey as Encountered by a Psychiatrist

by Jim Lucey, Kevin Hely (Narrator)

'The room is a space for the mind, and a metaphor for the mind at the same time. Most of us will never find ourselves on a psychiatrist's couch and yet our lives would be perilous if we did not make space for our mental health. In this space, we can hold up a mirror and acknowledge our search for meaning. By going to the room, life becomes more resourceful and rewarding. In showing up there, we show up for life itself.'

Jim Lucey has been working for more than 25 years with patients suffering from mental health problems. When people at their most vulnerable present to his room at St Patrick's University Hospital, Dublin, they reveal their fears, traumas, and very real human predicaments. Most of the assessments described in this book took place in this room. While the patients' stories are diverse, one common theme emerges - that of recovery. The psychiatrist and patients show us that recovery is possible, if we can find a way to engage.

Many of us find it difficult to speak of the mind, and care of the mind requires an ability to listen and to reflect. This inspiring book will give you many moments of reflection as you journey with Jim's patients towards recovery, and will restore your faith in the human experience.



'Using the art of clinical storytelling, Professor Lucey allows us to enter his room - an extraordinary space where theory informs practice and practice informs theory ... In My Room provides valuable insights that will benefit every human being interested in better understanding mental health. This is a beautiful book that should be read out loud at times, shared with others, and openly discussed' Charlotte R. Shore, RN, BSN, Newton Wellesley Hospital, USA and David A. Shore, PhD, Harvard University

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Psychology, Health

Audiobook

First published March 14, 2014

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well narrated non-fiction audiobook, recounting interesting details of the patients that this Irish Psychiatrist has treated. Really held my interest and seemed filled with common sense, without a huge amount of medical detail. Outside what I would normally listen to but the Irish Lilt and humour was very enjoyable.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Jim's writing is accessible and eloquent. His inclusion of poetry, including Emily Dickenson, WB Yeats and Robert Frost, throughout the book elevates it.

I found his thoughts around the mental health stigma in Ireland to be very insightful. He uses the phrase "self stigma" which was new to me but I feel that many of us do indeed feel this. His commentary about the need for centres of excellence for mental health as we have for other healthcare specialties, such as cancer, rings true.

His case studies throughout the book convey the variety of mental health conditions that any one of us could experience during our lives. He focuses upon telling the patients stories, sharing their treatment opportunities, recovery and resilience. I really liked the information he provides near the end of the book about the importance of "one good adult" in children's lives also.

Jim includes mental health presentations which are both familiar and those which are rare. I found this book insightful and uplifting. It encourages me that there are mental health professionals like Jim practicing in Ireland. I think this must be an incredibly difficult job to do and I'm grateful to all profesionals who try to help and support us through these challenging times in our lives.

[TheBookBinge🤓 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is good from a education point of view it is very informative and would provide someone who isn’t overly familiar with mental illness and the policies and procedures of the Irish mental health service a brilliant insight.

As I work in the mental health service and I am already knowledgeable with regards to ill MH, policies procedures etc this to me was monotonous. I thought this would be a non-fiction account of a psychiatrists encounters with mental health service users their own personal stories and journeys and what it means to achieve recovery on their own term. Sharing the funny, heartwarming and tragic. Instead this book is very formal, the recovery journeys were more along the lines of case studies rather then individuals.

It reminded me of the case studies in text books I studied for my nursing degree. This book is not something I could recommend to anyone working as a mental health professional. However for someone who has started studying mental health nursing/ MH HCA/ MH occupational therapy/MH social work etc or anyone who is uninformed about mental ill health and the Irish mental health service and would like to learn more this would be ideal.

[Millie Capon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favourite Line: “Many of us find it difficult to speak of the mind, and a poem can help to capture a lived experience, adding to it the elusive language of personal reflection, feelings, thoughts and insights.”

[Wendy Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful novel of debunking the stigma of mental health and it’s various conditions through the eyes of a psychiatrist and his patients.

As each story from various patients is told you can’t help but to connect to them in one way or another wether that be from first hand experience or from someone you know who you have supported through their own struggles. It’s accurate, inspiring and evoked emotion along with hope that once you have a recovery plan, you can overcome many of the worries day to day life can bring. It’s a hard listen at times but portrayed in a non-judgemental and respectful way, looking at mental illness.

[Nicki Kendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a inspiring read. As someone who has had some mental health issues for most of their life, this book was such an insightful read for me. In sharing the stories of some of his patients, Jim gives us hope that in sharing our experiences, we can not only help ourselves but also help others. Reading this book helped to remind me that none of us are really alone in our struggles and that so many other people could relate to our struggles and experiences, if only we would share our experiences more often. An empowering read to also learn of his patients recoveries. ⭐⭐⭐ #jimlucey #inmyroom #goodreads #litsy #thestorygraph #tea_sipping_bookworm #amazonkindle #bookqueen #bookstagram

[Horatian (amy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and concise discussion of various mental illnesses using (anonymized) case studies and accessible language. Addiction, OCD, self harm, child abuse, personality disorders, depression, suicide, and bipolar disorder all feature. Also a good (brief) overview of attitudes to mental illness in Ireland (bad). If all mental health professionals were as understanding as Jim Lucey we’d be in a better state.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories from a psychiatrist based on his cases.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought this was a fascinating read highly recommended

[Phillip J. O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, well presented. This book gives great insight. Highly recommended.

[Ozias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book per se, but it hasn't added anything new to the wealth of similar books already out there.

[Charlotte Cake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful and full of non bias opinions from patients which is detailed and interesting. Very short though.

[Karen Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry. Not what I expected. And not for me. I prefer pure science and facts. This was not the case

[Rubyryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book on the human state. Light on diagnostic details.

[Eliza Genang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short case histories of depression, anxiety and addiction told in a profoundly unsensationalistic way. A quiet book, peppered with well known short poems. Optimistic, a reminder that very acute cases of mental illness are usually treatable.

[Annette Breen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this an easy read. A number of cases were discussed which gave me a greater understanding of mental health conditions. Really enjoyed this, particularly the wee snippets of poetry that were added in sporadically.

[Alex Delogu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look into issues of Irish mental health.

[Aoife Driver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring stories told with compassion and insight.

[Nik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read about various presentations to a psychiatrists room. The journey of people looking for help and the paths that are taken to improve mental health and recovery.