But You Look Fine
Trapped in the Hell Between Sick and Well and How To Break Free
by Amy Kurtz
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Pub Date Jun 09 2026 | Archive Date Jul 09 2026
Grand Central Publishing | Balance
Description
According to the Center for Disease Control, 194 million Americans—or 76.4% of the population—have at least one chronic illness, and half of them are women. While many of these individuals finally have a diagnosis, and are no longer “sick”, they’re still not “well.” They’ve gone through the treatments, taken the medications, and yet still find themselves suffering.
So, what do you do after you’ve discovered the root of your condition, and you’re still not healed? How do you move past the trauma of being diagnosed (which often takes years for many patients), as well as the trauma of now living with this condition. More importantly, what is this limbo between sick and well that so many patients find themselves in?
The answer is Medical Trauma Brain, a phrase Health coach and patient advocate Amy Kurtz coined after years of research into her own challenges with misdiagnosed Lyme disease. Medical Trauma Brain is the trauma that hangs on pervasively even after the patient is “cured” keeping them stuck in the hell between sick and well. It’s the most overlooked but crucial part of healing, and in But You Look Fine, Amy shares the exact plan she used to move through this integral part of recovery so others can finally break free from their own bridge between sick and well.
“Amy Kurtz exposes a common occurrence that until now has gone unnamed and undiscussed by doctors and patients alike. Not only does she reveal this roadblock to wellness, but she also offers solutions, ones that we can all apply to our lives whether chronically ill, newly diagnosed, or labeled ‘cured.’ This is a paradigm shifting book and a must-read.” —Mark Hyman, MD
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781538775301 |
| PRICE | $30.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 304 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 5 members
Featured Reviews
Calliope F, Reviewer
But You Look Fine by Amy Kurtz talks about something that many people with chronic illness experience but rarely see discussed. Even after diagnosis or treatment, a lot of people are left feeling stuck somewhere between sick and well. The title really captures that frustrating moment when others assume everything is fine just because you look okay on the outside.
Kurtz introduces the idea of “Medical Trauma Brain,” which describes the lasting mental and emotional impact of going through illness, misdiagnosis, and years of navigating the healthcare system. I thought this was one of the most interesting parts of the book because it gave language to something many patients feel but struggle to explain.
Overall this was a thoughtful and validating read. It highlights an often overlooked part of recovery and will likely resonate with readers who have experienced chronic illness themselves. I would highly recommend this book to others who struggle with chronic illness it definitely highlighted something within myself.
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