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A Waltz Through La La Land
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A Depression Survivor’s Memoir
R. David Smola
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This book details twenty-two year old David's four and a half month stay in a private psychiatric hospital as he battles severe depression. The narrative explores the territory of a hospitalization and exposes the positive atmosphere and effective professionals who helped nurse David back to health. The events leading up to his breakdown are revealed in a third person narrative as are the extraordinary events of life under observation. David is portrayed as a real person because this work is based on the author’s own experience. David's pain emerges from the pages as does the irony of his interaction with the professionals paid to make him well. The story explores an enriched emotional landscape, from the humorous situations created when David encounters his new environment to the gut-wrenching tension created when David attempts escape and suicide when out on pass. The reader is left asking, “Is the waltz theme another of the authors mechanisms to rise above this depressing episode in his life?”
The immediate cause of his admission was his severe depression and potential for suicide. He claimed he had been feeling down since mid-August. Approximately two weeks prior to admission, he decided to kill himself.
Carlene Simone M.D.
At the time of discharge he was no longer a danger to himself or others, and he appeared able to function effectively outside the hospital setting.
Discharge Summary
R. David Smola has been a social service professional since March of 1990 serving as a direct care staff, manager, program monitor, therapist and consultant in his 19 year career. He received his Masters Degree in Social Work in 1994 and has been a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Illinois since 2001. Mr. Smola has been a music critic for Bullz-Eye.com since 2002 writing music reviews and occasionally interviewing musicians and rock stars. Mr. Smola lives in Suburban Chicago with his wife and 2 children.
I got the book a couple of days ago and I can't put it down. It's an amazing story! One of my friends committed suicide a few years ago, so it hits pretty close to home...
Grig
I must tell you the book was on my mind for several days after I finished it. Very powerful!
Bryce
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ISBN:
1-933794-23-2
214
Pages
xSize:
6 x 9
Binding:
Perfectbound
Publisher:
Kirk House Publishers
Quantity in Basket:
None
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