Susanna Kaysen is an American author, best known for her memoir, "Girl, Interrupted." She was born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she attended high school at the Commonwealth School in Boston and the Cambridge School. In 1967, Kaysen was sent to McLean Hospital for psychiatric treatment of depression, and it was there that she received a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. She was released after eighteen months and went on to draw from this experience for her memoir, which was later adapted into a film in 1999.
Kaysen's parents had a significant impact on her life. Her father, Carl Kaysen, was an economist, MIT professor, and a former advisor to President John F. Kennedy. Her mother, who has since passed away, was the sister of architect Richard Neutra. Kaysen has one sister and has been divorced at least once. In addition to her experiences at McLean Hospital, Kaysen also spent time living in the Faroe Islands, an experience that served as the basis for her novel "Far Afield." Currently, Kaysen resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
In "Girl, Interrupted," Kaysen provides a raw and honest account of her experiences at McLean Hospital. She offers a unique perspective on mental illness and the impact it can have on an individual's life. Through her writing, Kaysen challenges societal perceptions of mental illness and encourages readers to think more critically about the topic. Her work has had a profound impact on many and will continue to do so for years to come.