The blog has had about 75,000 views and has been read in 151 different countries since 2014. The posts reflect ideas about mental illness, health and life that can be debated and discussed so that we can come to a higher understanding of the issues. And, we have separated out mental illness from mental health because, despite their often interchangeability, they are distinct. Mental illness as a medical condition that disrupts a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder. In contrast, mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. That is quite different from mental illness. Unfortunately there is a tendency to confuse these. Unfotunately, there tendency to talk about mental health issues and problems which are not the same as mental illnesses.
Four men, age 18 to 81, have murdered, and now share a room in the secure forensic psychiatry ward of a mental hospital. Who better to get inside their heads, and find both the tragedy and comedy of their lives than Canadian psychiatrist and novelist David Laing Dawson. Three of Dawson's previous novels, Last Rights, Double Blind, and Essondale have been published in seven European countries, the US and the UK. Dawson's novels have been described as a cross between Elmore Leonard and Seinfeld and as close to reality as it gets.
Two new plays from the pen of psychiatrist/author, David Laing Dawson. Modern Times, Almost a Musical 70 minute one act play Lost souls, smart phones, unattended packages. Saints, sinners, and an angel on call. A play that asks the question, "Is it possible to love Rob Ford and Mike Duffy at the same time, and, if not, well, who wants that last piece of pumpkin pie?" Assisted Living Anne, an aging thespian and English teacher, now in her mid eighties and recently widowed, is determined to maintain her independence and stay in the house she shared with Poppy. Her daughter Katherine arrives with groceries and a determination to help, organize, be sensible, and plan for the future, only to find her less-than-reliable brother has been there before her. With a wry sense of humour, Dawson explores a few of the issues of family and aging that face us all.
Two one act plays from the pen of Canadian psychiatrist, novelist, film maker and artist, David Laing Dawson. Here Not There - In their golden years Charles and Shirley have downsized to a small Condominium. Charles comes home one night very late, a little drunk, carrying a mysterious box. He has decided this is the night he and his wife should confront their failures, their diminishing opportunities, the state of the world, and the very meaning of life. Shirley would rather go back to bed. From a review "the very first show of the Fringe meets with a standing ovation." Walter - Walter tried to kill himself and failed, so he decided to tell his story instead. Finding an abandoned theater, he stands on the stage alone and recounts his descent into mental illness, into schizophrenia. Created by a psychiatrist who has worked for many years with schizophrenic patients, this compelling dramatic monologue presents an accurate depiction of a devastating, costly, much maligned, and misunderstood illness.
Two one act plays from the pen of Canadian psychiatrist, novelist, film maker and artist, David Laing Dawson. Here Not There - In their golden years Charles and Shirley have downsized to a small Condominium. Charles comes home one night very late, a little drunk, carrying a mysterious box. He has decided this is the night he and his wife should confront their failures, their diminishing opportunities, the state of the world, and the very meaning of life. Shirley would rather go back to bed. From a review "the very first show of the Fringe meets with a standing ovation." Walter - Walter tried to kill himself and failed, so he decided to tell his story instead. Finding an abandoned theater, he stands on the stage alone and recounts his descent into mental illness, into schizophrenia. Created by a psychiatrist who has worked for many years with schizophrenic patients, this compelling dramatic monologue presents an accurate depiction of a devastating, costly, much maligned, and misunderstood illness.
A refreshing look at the puzzling world faced by today's teens and their parents who are trying to guide them. Incorporating advances in neuroscience, psychiatrist David Dawson clearly describes how teen brains work and offers practical advice to baffled parents in a fun and relaxing style. At the same time, he helps parents have confidence in their innate good instincts and solid understanding of their own children. Also included are significant behavioral warning signs that may indicate the early stages of serious mental illnesses.Dawson has the rare ability to make complex and potentially dull reading entertaining and instructive. In addition to being a psychiatrist, he is also a successful mystery writer and film director. Those skills enhance this book and provide some down to earth help to parents.
During the tumultuous sixties, Dr. Robert Snow interns in a big city hospital. Dawson lets his readers feel the triumphs and tragedies, the exhausting, overwhelming experiences of hospital life and death. Set against the social upheavals of 67/68 the author once again gives us vital characters struggling in an ambiance that rings all too true. What critics have said about Dawson's previous novels: Last Rights "Dawson's vital characters and the ambiance of his city and institutional scenes earn him respect as the author of both a superb mystery and a compelling novel" - Publisher's Weekly Essondale "Dawson's greatest strength is that he makes no judgements...." - Quill & Quire Double Blind .." a medical mindblower. Dawson proves a surehanded competitor of Robin Cook" - Publisher's Weekly
A psychological thriller. Is this hell, or just a psychiatric hospital? Dr. Robert Snow isn't sure. Waking from a drunken stupor in a small green room, the doctor finds he's on the other side of the diagnosis - in a place where life and mental health seem to be going pretty cheap these days. Murder and sexual abuse haunt the hospital, but Snow doesn't really care. He'd rather be dead anyway. When a charming, manic cowboy and a world-weary intellectual invade Snow's self-imposed isolation, they drag him out of his depression - and into the heart of Essondale's black mysteries...
From the author of "Last Rights" and "Double Blind" comes a new story of crime, addictions, mental illness, love, and family, set in the decaying urban center of an old manufacturing city.
During the tumultuous sixties, Dr. Robert Snow interns in a big city hospital. Dawson lets his readers feel the triumphs and tragedies, the exhausting, overwhelming experiences of hospital life and death. Set against the social upheavals of 67/68 the author once again gives us vital characters struggling in an ambiance that rings all too true. What critics have said about Dawson's previous novels: Last Rights "Dawson's vital characters and the ambiance of his city and institutional scenes earn him respect as the author of both a superb mystery and a compelling novel" - Publisher's Weekly Essondale "Dawson's greatest strength is that he makes no judgements...." - Quill & Quire Double Blind .." a medical mindblower. Dawson proves a surehanded competitor of Robin Cook" - Publisher's Weekly
What do you do when your son is arrested for murder? Sharon Gibson, a Hamilton, Ontario, Emergency Room nurse and divorced mother of Alicia (14) and Christian (17), doesn’t have things easy. Dealing with her ex-husband, juggling night shifts in Emergency, and parenting her kids take up her time. Then Christian starts skipping school, coming home late or, worse, staying out all night. Sharon wonders if he’s using and selling drugs. When Christian’s vice principal summons Sharon to the school for a meeting, Sharon fears the worst. Nothing prepares her for what she finds. Then, she discovers Christian is missing. When the dust finally settles, Christian is in jail for a crime Sharon knows he couldn’t possibly have committed. She won’t leave any stone unturned in her desperate attempt to prove he’s innocent. Will she be able to find the proof she needs before it’s too late?
The blog has had about 75,000 views and has been read in 151 different countries since 2014. The posts reflect ideas about mental illness, health and life that can be debated and discussed so that we can come to a higher understanding of the issues. And, we have separated out mental illness from mental health because, despite their often interchangeability, they are distinct. Mental illness as a medical condition that disrupts a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder. In contrast, mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. That is quite different from mental illness. Unfortunately there is a tendency to confuse these. Unfotunately, there tendency to talk about mental health issues and problems which are not the same as mental illnesses.
Working the graveyard shift at a Baltimore hospital, Dr. Robert Snow is shocked by a bizarre trend among the patients brought in by the police in the wee hours of the night--they all seem psychotic, and all are infected by the HIV virus.
Shedding critical new light on the diverse forms of Puritan belief and practice in England, Scotland, and New England, Hall provides a multifaceted account of a cultural movement that judged the Protestant reforms of Elizabeth's reign to be unfinished"--Provided by publisher.
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