As a long-time fan of comic art and graphic novels I am always awed by their power to entertain, heal and teach through visual storytelling. The concept of art as a therapeutic and educational tool finds poignant expression in the remarkable and courageous Diary Drawings: Mental Illness and Me, by Bobby Baker. Bobby Baker is in…
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage Anais Nin, novelist “Larger! Larger! Larger! Forget small! Think big! Abandon fear! Light the fire in your belly!” The fifteen of us sat there timidly, hands poised hesitantly in mid-air. Welcome to first year life drawing class. A huge, pad of white paper rested on an…
For anyone who has had to write a test, it is quite common to experience some anxiety. However, for some individuals, the feeling can be so intense that it interferes with memory, concentration and creates physical symptoms of illness. Here are 10 tips on how to prevent and reduce exam stress: Study for the exam. …
I am a self-described comic art geek. It has been a fascination of mine since childhood, and mystifies my mother to this day. Imagine her bewilderment when I had eschewed both law and medical schools for fine arts and a career in animated films. Fast forward twenty years and I am still a comic art…
It is sad to grow old, but nice to ripen. Brigitte Bardot “Can we stop aging? The answer is NO. All living organisms age, it is a natural, universal process.” No sooner had I uttered these words than a loud collective groan of dismay erupted in the room where I recently presented a seminar on…
Could we all be mentally ill? This may be the diagnosis when the American Psychiatric Association (APA) officially publishes the DSM-5 in May 2013. What is the DSM? DSM stands for “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” and is essentially the “bible of psychiatry.” The manual contains a listing of psychiatric disorders, corresponding to…
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive Dalai Lama May is International Mental Health Month and I’m blogging for mental health. Not long ago I witnessed an incident that left me feeling both shocked and dismayed. I was on a crowded streetcar when loud singing broke out. I turned and…
Never underestimate the power of an acknowledgement or compliment. I learned this truth years ago, when what started out as just another weekly shopping trip to my local health food shop ended up being a life-long teaching moment. As I unloaded my sundry items at the checkout counter, I chatted with the young cashier, as…
Deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu Who would have thought that a chance encounter with a stranger one winter evening could leave a lifelong impression? Christmas was a few days away and I remember thinking as I finished my holiday errands, what a beautiful night…
It’s a brand spanking New Year and I for one look forward to carrying a few less burdens. The past year was challenging to say the least as I dealt with personal issues that included old and new injuries, elder care, and various family illnesses. Looking back on it all, I saw that my life…