Before and After Loss

A Neurologist's Perspective on Loss, Grief, and Our Brain

By: Lisa M. Shulman MD

Narrated by: Donna Postel

In Before and After Loss, Dr. Lisa M. Shulman, a neurologist, describes a personal story of loss and her journey to understand the science behind the mind-altering experience of grief. Part memoir, part creative nonfiction, part account of scientific discovery, this moving book combines Shulman's perspectives as an expert in brain science and a keen observer of behavior with her experience as a clinician, a caregiver, and a widow.

Shedding light on the disconnect between conventional wisdom about loss and emerging knowledge on the neuroscience of emotional trauma as the cause of brain injury, Shulman explores not only the experience but also the science and psychology of loss. Drawing on the latest studies about grief and its effects, she explains what scientists know about how the mind, brain, and body respond and heal following traumatic loss. She also traces the interface between the experience of profound loss and the search for emotional restoration.

©2018 Johns Hopkins University Press (P)2018 Tantor

A touching story, with just the right balance of personal insight and scientific theory.

I truly enjoyed listening to Dr. Shulman’s book on Audible. The story of the author’s journey was beautifully written, and artfully read by the narrator. I was inspired by the way Dr. Shulman and her late husband thoughtfully cared for each other until the end. I felt privileged to hear the intimate details of their story. The analysis of the emotional, social and physical changes one goes through in life after loss was also very interesting. The author describes many of her feelings and experiences with grief, and then pairs them with sound scientific explanations. I am glad I read this book, and I am certain that I’ll circle back to it for comfort and guidance in the future.

Great for one who lost a spouse or counsels one...

Nine + months after losing my husband, I still crave books what show me how others are coping with loss, and to give me perspective, answers, and experiences. It's different for everyone, but few of the books give the type of qualitative data that this one does. And let's face it - many of us are cerebrally looking for answers to issues that are only treated emotionally. This book gives a healthy mix of both, in my opinion and in my experience. I thought the narration was effective, but I liked to take notes so it wasn't something that I could listen to while driving - I needed to be able to jot things down. Thanks to Dr. Shulman for sharing her difficult experience given her unique perspective. It was a great comfort to me on this journey.