Over My Head: A Doctor's Own Story of Head Injury from the Inside Looking Out [Paperback]

Claudia L. Osborn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Locked inside a brain-injured head looking out at a challenging world is the premise of this extraordinary autobiography. Over My Head is an inspiring story of how one woman comes to terms with the loss of her identity and the courageous steps (and hilarious missteps) she takes while learning to rebuild her life. The author, a 45-year-old doctor and clinical professor of medicine, describes the aftermath of a brain injury eleven years ago which stripped her of her beloved profession. For years she was deprived of her intellectual companionship and the ability to handle the simplest undertakings like shopping for groceries or sorting the mail. Her progression from confusion, dysfunction, and alienation to a full, happy life is told with restraint, great style, and considerable humor.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Awareness about head-injury prevention has significantly increased in the last decade. Yet on one summer evening in 1988, a young physician out for a bicycle ride without a helmet was hit by a careless driver and sustained a devastating brain injury. This autobiographical account "from the inside looking out" details that physician's experience from the moment of impact through her remarkable comeback to resumption of teaching and research responsibilities. Her story shows the effect of a severe head injury on behavior and personality. This inspiring documentation will assist patients, families, and friends enduring the same difficulties and help health professionals understand and train their patients in the difficult rehabilitation process. Very highly recommended for consumer health and patient education collections.?Janet Coggan, Univ. of Florida Libs., Gainesville
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Until her injury in July 1988, Claudia L. Osborn taught and practiced internal medicine in a busy inner-city Detroit hospital. A graduate of Vassar College and Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, she is currently an Associate Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at MSU, and makes her home in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740705989
• ISBN-13: 978-0740705984
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Professionals & Academics > Medical

More About the Author

Until her injury in July 1988, Claudia L. Osborn taught and practiced internal medicine in a busy inner-city Detroit hospital. A graduate of Vassar College and Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, she is currently an Associate Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at MSU, and makes her home in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Traumatic Brain Injury, Understand the Challenges & Changes, July 13, 2002

By 

Kenneth M. James "kmjgator" (Wildwood, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Over My Head: A Doctor's Own Story of Head Injury from the Inside Looking Out (Paperback)

Dr. Claudia Osborn does an incredible job of relating the life altering experience of a Traumatic Brain Injury, (TBI). This is a very informative, easy to read & understand book covering the misunderstood and confusing changes and challenges an individual and their loved ones experience after a brain injury.
She does so from her perspective as a professional that experiences and learns to manage permanent losses and changes which a person with TBI must learn to understand, accept, and manage.

This book is a must read for brain injured persons, their family members, friends, and care providers, as well as all professionals, (Physicians, Psychologists, Counselors, Lawyers, Emergency Medical professionals, families & patients, etc.). Anyone that even potentially has any contact with a person with a brain injury will benefit from this hard to put down, easy to read & understand book. It is humorous in places but educational, enlightening & informative throughout.
A TBI is too often unrecognized and misunderstood. As a medical clinician with extensive Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine experience, and myself being brain injured several years ago, I know that many brain injured persons go without adequate diagnosis or treatment. The physical and psychosocial changes that a brain injured person and their families & friends face are frequently undiagnosed, misunderstood, and improperly treated. The statistics on brain injuries are alarming. I strongly encourage laypersons and professionals alike to read this book.
Thank you Dr. Osborn.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read by anyone experiencing a TBI, November 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Over My Head: A Doctor's Own Story of Head Injury from the Inside Looking Out (Paperback)

Claudia Osborn is an inspiration to anyone who has a traumatic brain injury or anyone who loves someone who has experienced a TBI. This book clearly explains what the life of a TBI patient is like. It helped me so much to better understand the way my husband feels on a daily basis. Things that he has been unable to communicate to anyone before we have been able to discuss since I have read this wonderful book. We also have experienced seeing Dr. Osborn in person and she is just a wonderful person to share her life so that others may learn from what happened to her. Please buy this book if you love someone who has a TBI.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a manual for understanding, September 9, 2000

By 

KENNETH STRATTON (Davison, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Over My Head: A Doctor's Own Story of Head Injury from the Inside Looking Out (Paperback)

This book was the beginning of my education in traumatic brain injury.after my wife suffered a brain injury a friend reccomended I read this book and it really opened my eyes to the things my wife could not express to me any more. it is esential for any one living with someone who has suffered TBI to read this book for a glimpse into what it is like to be brain injured.