Against Medical Advice

By: James Patterson, Hal Friedman

In this inspiring true story, a child struggles with Tourette's syndrome-and overcomes extraordinary challenges with the help of his loving parents.
Cory Friedman woke up one morning when he was five years old with the uncontrollable urge to twitch his neck. From that day forward his life became a hell of irrepressible tics and involuntary utterances, and Cory embarked on an excruciating journey from specialist to specialist to discover the cause of his disease. Soon it became unclear what tics were symptoms of his disease and what were side effects of the countless combinations of drugs. The only certainty is that it kept getting worse. Simply put: Cory Friedman's life was a living hell.Against Medical Advice is the true story of Cory and his family's decades-long battle for survival in the face of extraordinary difficulties and a maddening medical establishment. It is a heart-rending story of struggle and triumph with a climax as dramatic as any James Patterson thriller.

Critic reviews

"A disturbing story but ultimately an inspiring one that affirms the power of families to overcome adversity."—Arizona Republic

"A work of naked truth, as disturbing as it is important...a gift of honesty, huge honesty, and hope, and a reminder that against all medical advice and odds, human beings can prevail."
—Patricia Cornwell, author of Portrait of a Killer

"A true story that reads like the most riveting of page-turners."
—Lisa Scottoline, author of Lady Killer

"Harrowing and heartbreaking . . . a story of astonishing courage. This book stands as a testament to the amazing power of one family's unconditional love for each other."—Tess Gerritsen, author of The Bone Garden

Heartwarming

Wonderful story that displayed the courage of this young man and his family. It was difficult to imagine how he survived with intensity of his anxiety, Tourette’s and OCD. Just one of these would be paralyzing for anyone and he dealt daily with all three. Truly inspirational!!!

Very Interesting

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I really felt a lot of emotions. A lot of sympathy for everything this family had to go through.

Any additional comments?

This is a story about a family that has great strength and determination.

An life of torment never understood by anyone else

MY son has a severe case of Tourette's Syndrome, which has extended into adulthood. This book, although the writer seemed to improve as he aged, helped me to understand so many of the comments and explanations that my son had tried to share with me over the years. I had it too--and still do at time, but never as severely as my son or as the author of this book.But what they have said has helped me understand the disease and the comorbidity with other illnesses such as ADHD and OCD, many times more clearly, in combination, than any way I have ever heard it before.

Thanks to the author and his agreement to share his story for the better good of helping others understand and hopefully working toward some treatment or at least an understanding of the illness.

It was most selfless, and I for one, have great admiration for him.

Amazing.

Moving. Heart wrenching. An astounding read and to be recommended at every possible opportunity from here on out.

Amazing and inspiring!

This is truly a heart warming and inspiring story of a remarkable family! My family is going through some difficult times with one child (21) having high anxiety and OCD and another (23) being bi-polar. Then of course myself having MDD. This kind of information is invaluable! Thank you to Corey's family for telling it and to Corey for never giving up!