top of page

A Bloodied Nose

In my 28 years as a hospital psychiatrist…. I have been threatened physically at least twice a week; hot coffee has been thrown on my face and clothing; my eye glasses have been grabbed and flung across the hallway; I have been yelled at with the worst of expletives and religious slurs; I have been kicked and slugged; my nose has been bloodied (but not broken!) So…what does one do when such things happen??? Our greatest freedom is to choose how to respond to any situation that comes our way. This is the essence of our free will. This is what makes us wonderfully human, and which keeps us away from victimhood. Certainly, what goes on in a psychiatric hospital is beyond the norm in terms of the usual human interactions (hopefully). But this choice, this choice of freedom, inevitably confronts us in normal everyday life: a plane flight canceled; a slow driver; a child screaming for a second lollipop; a spouse shaming a spouse; a teenager slandering his parents; a smart phone in your hand. So, if you’re looking for some good practice to achieve some semblance of freedom, come hang out at a psychiatric hospital for a while. As the Good Book says, we cannot control what goes on around us, only how we respond.

9 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Charge!

Healthy people confront their issues; and confront them again; and again. Unhealthy people resign.

Trouble

Know your emotions, yes!, be in touch with your emotions, yes!, but if your emotions alone determine your behavior, you’ll get yourself...

A Mirror

A lot of us have a hard time looking at ourselves.  One cure for this is that when you look at others, and especially if you see their...

Comments


The content on this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read or heard on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911. If you are having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time. If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately.

bottom of page