Sickened

Sickened is Julie Gregory's first-hand account of growing up with a mother who suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy. The memoir documents Gregory's childhood experiences of being taken to countless doctors and subjected to unnecessary medical treatments at her mother's insistence. Gregory reconstructs her life in rural Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s, detailing her mother's persistent claims that she was chronically ill. The narrative follows her journey from a confused child who trusted her mother's medical assertions to an adult who began to question her upbringing. Through precise documentation and vivid recollections, Gregory examines the complex psychological and emotional impact of medical abuse. The memoir serves as both a personal story of survival and an exposé of a rarely discussed form of child abuse. This memoir raises essential questions about medical ethics, maternal relationships, and the long-term effects of childhood trauma. Gregory's account contributes to broader discussions about recognizing and preventing medical child abuse.

Readers describe this memoir as raw, disturbing, and hard to put down. Many note they finished it in one sitting. Readers appreciate: - Gregory's detailed account of her childhood experiences - The clear explanation of how Munchausen by proxy abuse occurs - The author's resilience and eventual escape - Medical documentation included as evidence Common criticisms: - Writing can feel disjointed and choppy - Some scenes lack context or feel incomplete - A few readers question the accuracy of certain memories - The ending feels rushed Review Stats: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Could not look away even though I wanted to" - Goodreads reviewer "Helps medical professionals spot warning signs" - Amazon reviewer "The scattered writing style reflects trauma but makes it harder to follow" - LibraryThing reviewer

A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer A memoir of survival chronicles a young boy's experience with severe child abuse at the hands of his mother.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls This memoir documents a child's life with unstable parents who drag their children through cycles of neglect while maintaining manipulative control.

Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs The author recounts his childhood experiences after his mother sends him to live with her psychiatrist in a chaotic household marked by dysfunction and medical manipulation.

Tiger, Tiger by Margaux Fragoso This memoir explores the complex relationship between a vulnerable child, her troubled family, and a manipulative adult who gains control through calculated deception.

Breaking Night by Liz Murray A memoir detailing a child's navigation through her parents' drug addiction, mental illness, and medical crises while struggling to find stability.

🩺 Julie Gregory's memoir was one of the first published accounts of Munchausen by Proxy from a survivor's perspective, helping to raise awareness of this form of child abuse. 💉 During her childhood, Gregory underwent numerous unnecessary medical procedures and was prescribed over 1,000 different medications due to her mother's deception of medical professionals. 📚 After escaping her abusive situation, Gregory went on to earn a degree in psychology and became an advocate for other survivors of medical child abuse. 🏥 The title "Sickened" carries a double meaning - referring both to Gregory being made physically ill and to her eventual emotional reaction to discovering the truth about her mother's abuse. 🗂️ The author donated her childhood medical records to the University of Michigan's Child Protection Team to help train medical professionals in identifying cases of Munchausen by Proxy syndrome.