Committed

Dispatches from a Psychiatrist in Training

By: Adam Stern

Narrated by: Adam Stern

Grey’s Anatomy meets One L in this psychiatrist’s charming and poignant memoir about his residency at Harvard.

Adam Stern was a student at a state medical school before being selected to train as a psychiatry resident at one of the most prestigious programs in the country. His new and initially intimidating classmates were high achievers from the Ivy League and other elite universities around the nation. Faculty raved about the group as though the residency program had won the lottery, nicknaming them “The Golden Class,” but would Stern ever prove that he belonged?

In his memoir, Stern pulls back the curtain on the intense and emotionally challenging lessons he and his fellow doctors learned while studying the human condition, and ultimately, the value of connection. The narrative focuses on these residents, their growth as doctors, and the life choices they make as they try to survive their grueling four-year residency. Rich with drama, insight, and emotion, Stern shares engrossing stories of life on the psychiatric wards, as well as the group’s experiences as they grapple with impostor syndrome and learn about love and loss. Most importantly, as they study how to help distressed patients in search of a better life, they discover the meaning of failure and the preciousness of success.

Stern’s growth as a doctor, and as a man, have readers rooting for him and his patients, and ultimately find their own hearts fuller for having taken this journey with him.

An accurate depiction of a Psychiatric Resident

As a current Psychiatric Resident, I found this book to resonate with me and my current experiences. From the imposter syndrome, the moral struggle of the inpatient setting, the difficulty of trying to help patients who aren't ready to change, to the collaboration and joy I felt on the outpatient setting.

Great job Adam Stern on a great book and such an enjoyable listen. I found this book therapeutic in itself, knowing that we all share common experiences during training.

A lot of heart

This audiobook brought back memories of my own psychiatric residency experience. From the challenges of first time emergency work to reliable if simplistic guidelines and reflective group training, Dr Stern’s candor and authenticity are a credit to our field.

lovely book

I also went to the same residency program as Adam and this is a lovely memoir of his residency. I felt echoes of my own experience and I would have to say that it was a great program that really shepherded us in becoming psychiatrists and teachers. Dr Stern is a great person and psychiatrist.

Thank you for reminding me,

I’m under the care of a psychiatrist for a long time. I have Major Depressive Disorder that has taken a lot of changes to mix and match to finally be able to breathe without thinking about it. Thank you for your kindness and vocation.

Enjoyed this read

I enjoyed this book a great deal. I have worked in the mental health field early on in my career path and found this a fascinating story of the practitioners journey. Having worked with many psychiatrists on a professional bases it was nice to learn their intense training because let me tell you there were days I wondered if they ever had any training in therapy etc. now I know and have a bit more respect for their educational journey. I only wish more of them had the compassion and empathy of Dr Stern. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the area of psychiatry or medical training. I enjoyed the personal stories the author shared and his willingness to share his vulnerability on how specific cases effected him. Thank you Dr Stern.