[1] It was first published on November 13, 2012, through Free Press in hardback, and was later reprinted in paperback by Simon & Schuster after the two companies merged.

[4] The book also covers Cahalan's life after her recovery, including her reactions to watching videotapes of her psychotic episodes while in the hospital.

NPR commented that the author was "a naturally talented prose stylist" and that "she perfectly tempers her brutal honesty with compassion and something like vulnerability.

"[7] The Washington Post praised Cahalan's researching abilities for the book, as they noted that she had to rely on information from others, including family members and medical documents.

[8] In May 2014, it was announced that the book was being adapted into a film of the same name, starring Chloë Grace Moretz[9] and produced by Cahalan and Charlize Theron.