Review for Unstill by Lenny Gallo

Without making this about myself, much of what the author pours out about himself and his story resonated deep with me. Mental health might finally be getting a larger focus by both the medical community and the world, but that focus only seems to be highlighting just how far we still have to go. That need to do better is more than apparent in Unstill, where an attempt to quell persisting anxiety only makes things harder.

Lenny Gallo lays himself bare, from childhood to the before, during, and after first seeking treatment for his mental health. What makes his perspective so unique is that he’s now writing his journey through two lenses. Both that of a patient and a practitioner. Despite being a victim in a sense of the medical machine that led to developing a disorder from medication that didn’t even help to alleviate the original reason to start it, he was eventually able to cross the aisle. To start helping others seeking help with their mental health.

Of the many things I appreciated about Unstill, the optimism and resilience shown in the writing and in the author’s personal history kept me invested. Each attempt to be heard by a professional, each medication that seemed right then wasn’t could have been the last attempt. I could feel the desperation each time something didn’t work, but the hope still shone through too.

The tone Gallo adopts is personable and engaging. The first few pages, full of concern about a rash in a particular area, convinced me this was going to be a fun read despite the sometimes difficult-to-approach content. The author’s ability as a storyteller is undeniable. From anecdotes to medical information, I was thoroughly intrigued by this memoir. I highly recommend Unstill to any reader interested in the topics of mental health or difficult personal journeys.

Unstill: The Ordeal of Anxiety, Pills, and an Undiagnosed Disorder is available to buy on Amazon.