Is it normal for a novel to send you to therapy?

33% Normal
24 Comments

When I was in college, I read a novel that put me in therapy. Actually, I didn't even really read it; just flipped through it a few times. It was a well-written book with a sick and frightening plot; so frightening and full of misery that I couldn't stop thinking about it. It haunted my every waking moment and eventually I started throwing up every time I thought about it. I just could not stop thinking about this book and the character in it, and the human suffering it depicted. And, please remember, this was fictional.
In the end, I had to see my school therapist about it, and I am now--thankfully--cured. But the scary thing is that this is the second time this has happened and I'm scared it will happen again. Also, is this entirely normal? To get obsessed with a book?

Voting Results
33% Normal
Based on 45 votes (15 yes)
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Comments ( 24 )
  • Jweezee
    12 years ago

    I'm going to need therapy if you don't post the name of the god damn book

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  • cheesey_jelly
    13 years ago

    Title please.. Otherwise it's just teasing :)

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  • 8Serene8
    13 years ago

    Okay even I'm curious, what was this novel called?

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  • laurynberry
    13 years ago

    I'm dying to know what book!!!!

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  • virtualdog
    13 years ago

    I' like to know the titles of both novels. Yours and the bigguy's

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  • randomjelly
    13 years ago

    If you never actually read the book then I wouldn't place blame there. Perhaps you have other anxiety issues and this was just an outlet.

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  • Lockets
    13 years ago

    Could you tell us what the book was?

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  • TeresaBarry
    13 years ago

    What is the book????????

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  • ducksaver
    13 years ago

    What book???????

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  • ducksaver
    13 years ago

    What book

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  • hippychick
    13 years ago

    What book was it?

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  • bigguy2010
    13 years ago

    I hope it wasn't my book. Although, I am hoping for strong reactions from the sequel.

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  • ♥Ev♥
    9 years ago

    I've never heard of it happening, but sometimes a book or movie stayed on my mind for a few days because it was so disturbing. Sounds you're just sensitive and caring. Nothing wrong with that :)

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  • Avant-Garde
    10 years ago

    What was the book?

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  • swanlike
    11 years ago

    When my boyfriend was eleven, his class read Hatchet. The book gave him nightmares for months and his parents ultimately sent him to therapy. Not one of his more masculine moments.

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  • RoseIsabella
    11 years ago

    I think it could trigger underlying neurosis and also disturb a person depending on the content. I'm curious, much like the other commentators, about the name of the particular book but I suspect the original poster has deliberately not disclosed the title of the book so as to prevent anyone from reading or skimming thru the same book and having a bad experience. I'm also willing to speculate that although the poster is not responsible for the well being of the rest of us said poster might feel guilty or responsible if anyone else were to have the same or a similar experience.

    If it's any consolation to anyone here I once spent a whole summer reading nothing but Franz Kafka and ended up feeling life was pointless and hopeless. I was already in therapy at the time though and Kafka tends to have that effect.

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  • la_la_la_la
    11 years ago

    Hiya,

    I used to love King, but one of his upset me so much I thought “that's enough” and I can't bear his stuff now. I don't miss it, so that shows how good it must've been. I suggest you don't read David Peace either.

    I tried to read a trilogy that millions of people seem to think is great, but I thought it was awful. It was full of things that -– well, let's just say I hope what the characters did never features in my life.

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  • Alaska
    12 years ago

    Well , David Chapman was obsesst with a book and because of that he kllied JoHn Lennon....
    WHat boook is it?

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    what's the book? :O

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  • Josie_57
    12 years ago

    i had the same thing . it was a detailed description of someone drowning (fictional) and i had recurring nightmares for ages. glad your ok now, to stop it happening again you could look up some reviews ir something before reading a book/ film/ whatever so you know if it is scary. good luck :)

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  • phoenix_paradox
    13 years ago

    Never ever read a stephen king book... And please tell us what was the name of that book?

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  • theonewiththehair
    13 years ago

    I know someone who had a similar problem. In his case it was a movie and he couldn't sleep for days. He too saw a therapist and is ok now.

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  • ManaX
    13 years ago

    now that doesn't sound normal, so uh... what's the name of the book?

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  • [Old Memory]
    13 years ago

    Oh my! I gotta know what book this is!!

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