Julie Gregory

Well this was...brutal. This is not Munchausen by proxy as a genteel, invisible kind of child abuse; this is Munchausen by proxy as part of a whole slate of abuses, physical and mental, not only by a monther but also by a father, an incapable child welfare system, and the medical establishment. It's rough to read - I read the book in one sitting mostly because I didn't want to keep it around - but the passages about Julie's coming to terms with herself as an adult are gorgeous. I'm show more immeasurably glad she was able to build a meaningful life for herself, and I hope she was able to make a difference for her siblings as well. show less

The first part of this book was very interesting, though a bit disturbing. The part where Julie's mother took her in for an unnecessary heart catheterization and later tried to insist on open heart surgery sent chills up my spine. I cringe at the thought of my child having surgery, so it's so hard to imagine a mother doing this to her own daughter. After Julie separated from her mother toward the end and began her own downward spiral, the book became much less interesting. Even when she saw show more her mother again near the end, it wasn't as interesting as the first part of the book.

I would like to think that doctors today would be more educated about mental disorders and would call Child & Family Services to investigate this family. I am a social worker and can say from experience that this does not always happen. Though there is more information out there today about various types of mental illness, there are still so many doctors and other professionals who would rather just "pass the buck" because this is not their area of specialty. show less

This book was fascinating read. Gregory in very plain language explains her childhood, from the point of view of a child. Others have criticized that the ways in which Gregory's parents have abused her are not made explicitly clear by the book, but what makes Sickened such a powerful memoir is that it is written from Gregory's point of view, and therefore all along the reader is left equally in the dark as Gregory herself as to what is actually wrong with her, versus what is inflicted upon show more her by her parents. Gregory's slow realization that she is, indeed being abused is both the turning point and the most poignant part of the book. show less

Julie Gregory grew up in an abusive household with a mother that constantly told her she was sick and what her symptons were. Julie was starved, beaten, and taken out of school for doctor's visits and hospital stays. Her mother insisted that every possible test be done, in order to "get to the bottom of this". When one doctor could not find a problem Julie would be taken to another doctor. Julie was punished if she didn't go along with the symptoms her mother told the doctors she had. While show more attending College Julie learns of a disease - Munchausen by Proxy and an understanding of what she has been through all her childhood is realised. I was a bit disappointed with the ending. show less