Reni reviews
Bombenkopf by Phia Quantius and Sylvie Gühmann
Finished on May 22nd 2026
Genre: Nonfiction. Autobiography
Synopsis
Phia Quantius leidet seit ihrer Kindheit unter einer besonders starken Form von Migräne. Die neurologische Erkrankung attackiert die junge Frau drei bis sechs Mal pro Monat und reißt sie mit Schmerzen, Übelkeit, Lähmungen und Halluzinationen aus ihrem Alltag. Trotz der enormen Auswirkungen gilt Migräne oft als Bagatelle, dabei leiden rund zwanzig Prozent der Bevölkerung daran und die Forschung hat noch kein wirksames Mittel dagegen gefunden. Phia Quantius erzählt darum ihre Geschichte, spricht mit Expert:innen über Behandlungsmöglichkeiten und über alles, was noch mit der Krankheit zusammenhängt: Medikamentenkonsum, Depressionen, Suizidalität - und allem zum Trotz ihre unbändige Lebenslust.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 💥
Full Review
Phia is a young woman who suffers from horrible migraines - and when I say "suffer", I mean that. If you don't have migraines, I officially hate and envy you, because it's a dogshit illness. Phia thinks so, too, but she decided to share her life story because that's what German influencers are all currently doing. Sound too snarky? Well, it's true lol. However, unlike most influencers, Phia actually as something to say. She's trying to destigmatize the illness and shed awareness, and I honestly think she did a great job.
Sprinkled in are some takes by the German Neurology Association, the German Psychiatrists Association, which aren't new for anyone affected, but may offer some valuable info for people who want to learn. My mother is reading the book at the moment and she said it's helpful for her - and reassuring that she's not the only mother who thought her migraine-affected child is dying, lol.
So yeah despite my aversion towards the German influencer scene, I definitely recommend this book! It's informative, very relatable, and also really funny. Humor is the best medicine after all!
This Book May Be For You If...
... you want to learn more about migraines, are affected and want to relate, and know German
... you don't mind that the book is in German