This book was written so beautifully and skillfully that I actually thought to myself “this might be a ghost writer because how can a psychiatrist be this talented of an author!?” As a mental health practitioner and aspiring clinical psychologist, I have read a substantial amount of mental health literature and What We Fear Most has now topped my list of recommended readings. It is deeply profound, enthralling, vulnerable and touching, whilst also being highly educational, funny, and reflective.

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 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 editorI admit to being faintly hostile towards most psychiatrists. That's as a result of personal experience. Several long stories. a beautifully balanced and compassionately written memoir... This is a fascinating account of a fascinating journey' - Dr Richard Shepherd 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. 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? 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 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! 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.”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!