Treading carefully in the mind field

Falling into the Fire

**A Psychiatrist's Encounters with the Mind in Crisis**

**By** Christine Montross

**Oneworld,** €15.10.

**Reviewed by** Brendan Daly

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Over four years, Lauren was admitted to a psychiatric hospital 25 times. Each admission was for gestation. Among other things, Lauren had swallowed a screwdriver, a box of galvanised nails, a thermometer, a nail clippers, and two six-inch steak knives.

When Lauren was unable to cope with emotional stresses, she swallowed ...