Communicating with a President
My uncle, Dr Guy Scott, was President of Zambia. When my uncle last visited Scotland we chatted awa as if there was no tomorrow. I have also communicated with a … Continue reading Communicating with a President
Tag: Prescribed drug dependence and withdrawal
The second most popular joke
This was listed as the second most popular joke in the Edinburgh Festival for 2019.
“Good debate is respectful and constructive”
In December of 2018 The Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Psychological Society came together to confirm a common set of ideals and principles. These were published in the … Continue reading “Good debate is respectful and constructive”
National Suicide Prevention Strategy
Last month I wrote to the Lead for the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. The current lead, Professor Louis Appleby, has a prominent social media presence and naturally many … Continue reading National Suicide Prevention Strategy
‘Unlocking Power’
There was an interesting article about approaches taken to leadership roles in yesterday’s Guardian newspaper. The article was entitled “Unlocking Power”. On reading the article my mind returned to a … Continue reading ‘Unlocking Power’
It is by living that we learn
The following account of my experience of trying to stop an antidepressant features in today’s Daily Mail. This did not feel a comfortable thing to share in a national newspaper … Continue reading It is by living that we learn
Puritanical or Platinum?
Next week the 2019 International Congress for the Royal College of Psychiatrists will take place in London. Naturally the President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and her predecessor, have … Continue reading Puritanical or Platinum?
Psychiatry Careers in Scotland
On the 14th June 2019 the Vice President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (who is also Chair of the Scottish Division) was involved in a #choosepsychiatry campaign called “Psychiatry … Continue reading Psychiatry Careers in Scotland
‘They say no’
The words in this piece on antidepressant prescribing come from the novel ‘Grace Notes’ by Bernard MacLaverty. This novel was published the same year that I was started on an … Continue reading ‘They say no’
Admitted to a Mental Hospital: Gordon Bennett
Russell T. Davies and Ian McEwan are just two of many writers who like to imagine how the world might have “unfolded” had there been slight changes to past events. … Continue reading Admitted to a Mental Hospital: Gordon Bennett
“Excessive claims by drug firms”
You may read this title and wonder who said it? If you have come across my blog before it would be reasonable to consider that it was said by me! … Continue reading “Excessive claims by drug firms”
Putting patients first: that is all I have tried to do
In today’s Herald the following news article by Helen McArdle features along with her analysis below. A PSYCHIATRIST said he was “gaslighted” by his own professional body after openly criticising … Continue reading Putting patients first: that is all I have tried to do