Inspired by Hysterical Women, my first book will be published by Green Tree (Bloomsbury) on 5 January 2023 – and you can pre-order now
Well, here we are. A lot has happened since my last post: a new prime minister, a new monarch and, on a more personal note, a new baby who is already growing up very fast indeed. Oh, and the small matter of my new book, which is finally starting to feel quite real!
I first started work on a book proposal in 2020, during lockdown, inspired by my work over the previous three years – and particularly by everything I’ve learned from Hysterical Women. Now, more than 18 months since I started writing it, I’m delighted to finally be able to reveal the result: Rebel Bodies: A guide to the gender health gap revolution, out on 5 January 2023.
It’s an inclusive and empowering manifesto for change in women’s healthcare – exploring the systemic and deep rooted sexism within medicine, and offering actionable ways for women to advocate for ourselves and others and get the diagnosis and treatment we need.
Have you ever been to a doctor and felt like you were being fobbed off or ignored? Did they belittle or overlook your concerns about your health? Ever been told you’re just ‘hormonal’? You’re not alone. Women make up 51 per cent of the population and are the biggest users of healthcare services – for themselves and as mothers and carers. But all the research shows there are massive gender differences when it comes to men and women’s healthcare.
Our pain and suffering has been disbelieved; we are misdiagnosed, given tranquilisers when we need painkillers, antidepressants when we need HRT, and not trusted to make informed choices about our own bodies.
Be inspired by stories that will incite and offer hope. Meet the patients, doctors and campaigners who are standing up and fighting back, and find practical tips on advocating for your own health. As women and people of marginalised genders speak out about their experiences of gaslighting and misdiagnosis, health journalist Sarah Graham investigates what it will take to bridge the gender health gap.
You’re not alone, you’re not going mad, and we believe you.
I’ll be sharing more as we get closer to publication day, but for now I just want to say how grateful I am to everyone who’s trusted me to tell their story, which includes so many previous Hysterical Women contributors. Thank you all.
I really hope I’ve done justice to the issues, which I’ve tried to tackle with nuance and compassion. I can’t wait for you all to read it. Pre-orders make a huge difference to authors so, if you’re able to, please do support Rebel Bodies by pre-ordering now and be the first to receive a copy in January.
