Unstill: The Ordeal of Anxiety, Pills, and an Undiagnosed Disorder. A Memoir.

Lenny Gallo

Oct 2024 · L.R. Fin Media & Publications

About this ebook

Treatment for anxiety all too often includes medication—but at what cost to the patient? After struggling with a lifetime of clinical anxiety, author and artist Lenny Gallo was confronted with the decision to try medication to help manage his symptoms. The medication did not work as expected and caused a misunderstood and often misdiagnosed movement disorder. This book reflects his journey to find the answers that redirected the course of his life.

Lenny’s artwork is intertwined throughout the story. His unique paintings chronicled his distress and provided insight into his world of suffering from a rare disorder with no answers available. This cautionary tale explores the author’s anxiety-ridden early life; the relationship between patients and doctors; mental health medications and their side effects; and examines the mental health profession from the perspective of both patient and practitioner.

Dramatically and beautifully told through witty and heartbreaking narrative, Unstill explores what it meant for the author to face his demons.

About the author

Lenny Gallo is a writer, artist, and clinical social worker. His artwork has been featured in galleries worldwide, and his essays and articles have been featured in professional journals and trade papers. In addition to his art and writing, Lenny works as a therapist, specializing in the treatment of OCD, trauma, and anxiety disorders. Originally from Chicago, he now resides in New Jersey.