Your Write Path Podcast: A Conversation with Lenny Gallo, Author of ‘Unstill: The Ordeal of Anxiety, Pills, and an Undiagnosed Disorder. A Memoir.
I had the pleasure of talking with Lenny Gallo about his life, his experiences, and his new book. This is a powerhouse memoir that grabs you from the first page and never lets go. It’s harrowing, in a very positive way, and I recommend it to anyone interested in surviving medical crises. From his difficult childhood to his horrendous experiences with medication-induced movement disorder, Lenny tells it exactly like it is. I think this will be a must-read resource for people who have had these experiences, and many who struggle with them. It also serves as a call to survival and perseverance in the face of enormous challenges.
About Unstill: The Ordeal of Anxiety, Pills, and an Undiagnosed Disorder. A Memoir
by Lenny Gallo (Author), Sondra Beaulieu (Editor), Don Weise (Editor), Louise D. Stahl (Editor)
Lenny Gallo
Special Color Edtion Paperback
Treatment for anxiety all too often includes medication—but at what cost to the patient? After struggling with a lifetime of clinical anxiety, author and artist Lenny Gallo was confronted with the decision to try medication to help manage his symptoms. The medication did not work as expected and caused a misunderstood and often misdiagnosed movement disorder. This book reflects his journey to find the answers that redirected the course of his life.
Lenny’s artwork is intertwined throughout the story. His unique paintings chronicled his distress and provided insight into his world of suffering from a rare disorder with no answers available. This cautionary tale explores the author’s anxiety-ridden early life; the relationship between patients and doctors; mental health medications and their side effects; and examines the mental health profession from the perspective of both patient and practitioner.
Dramatically and beautifully told through witty and heartbreaking narrative, Unstill explores what it meant for the author to face his demons.
Lenny Gallo is a writer, artist, and clinical social worker. His artwork has been featured in galleries worldwide, and his essays and articles have been featured in professional journals and trade papers. In addition to his art and writing, Lenny works as a therapist, specializing in the treatment of OCD, trauma, and anxiety disorders. Originally from Chicago, he now resides in New Jersey.