Monday, July 5, 2010

MED HEAD as told by James Patterson and Hal Friedman



MED HEAD is the amazing true story of Cory Friedman and his battle with Tourette's Syndrome and OCD.  Covering a span of time beginning at age five through age seventeen, this book tells the story of Cory and his family as they battled two often misunderstood conditions.

At the age of five, Cory began to exhibit uncontrollable body movements which were followed by verbal outbursts.  The first diagnosis was ADHD, and the resulting medication only made Cory's symptoms worse.

Doctors finally decided he suffered from Tourette's and began prescribing different medicines.  What followed was years of doctors' visits and more drugs than most people even hear about in a lifetime.  Cory's parents questioned the massive doses they were told to administer to their son, but each new suggestion promised a breakthrough in his treatment.  A later diagnosis of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) only made matters worse for Cory.

Cory was a bright, active child.  His interest in sports and computers helped him through some of the roughest periods of his young life.  In an interview at the end of the book, Cory says that when he was able to focus on activities like football, baseball, or computers, he was able to free his mind enough to slow down some of his symptoms.  However, these times of release represented only a fraction of Cory's life and struggle with his diseases.

With the support of his family and his own incredible determination, Cory overcomes the worst of his struggle and is able to show the world exactly what he can do.  His experiences will take readers into the depths of despair and show them the horrors of some of the most frequently prescribed drugs used today.  Author James Patterson and Cory's father, Hal Friedman, present the story as a first person narrative that Cory hopes will help others suffering with similar issues.

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