Some year ago, soon after having been released from a psychiatric hospital, I was taking a walk in the forest with a friend. She would go on talking about her problems and I was comforting her. All of a sudden a small brown dog came from nowhere and it started to tear my jacket and my trousers apart. We managed to get rid of him somehow and I was in a double shock: still traumatized by the hospitalization and on the top of that attacked by a dog. All these years I thought I was lucky the dog did not bite my skin and hurt me. It only damaged the jacket and trousers. Yet recently it has dawned on me...

Feri Lainšček, a much translated Slovene writer, very popular and successful also in his home country, was more than pleasant to listen to on the national holiday, 25. of June, the state independence day of Slovenia, a relatively young state. I cannot quote all his interesting statements, for that would call for a proper interview striving to do him justice. Thus I chose only one of his statements that made me ponder: “I wonder, how can a generation of parents, that have handled the new state so badly, have raised so wonderful kids?” Let me put this statement into context. Lainšček was doing...

There is no point in hurrying, for one forgets half of the things to be done – in the very process of haste. Or one gets spilled over with hot coffee. What a waste! And please bear in mind that each individual functions at his/her own pace. Do not compare yourself with others. Life is not a competition with others, but only a competition with oneself. Even in professional sports, so I have read repeatedly lately (compare: Slovene top climber Mina Markovic, Slovene top skier Tina Maze etc.). Take care, Helena Smole, author of Balancing the Beast, a book offering a bright view of schizoaffective...

To untie a knot one has to be very patient and gentle. Conflicts in love relationships demand the same effort. And they also call for counting in the possibility that the thread will be thorn not matter how hard you try to save the relationship. But at least the thread will break with as little pain as possible, if one gives out one’s best. Divorce should be the last resort. One needs to deserve it by trying everything else before – from engaging in common hobbies to partner therapy. Yet, it is a known fact that a friendly divorce does the least damage possible. A friendly divorce? Yes, it is...

Balancing the Beast: A Bright View of Schizoaffective Disorder is a wonderful book which does a great job explaining schizoaffective disorder. It is very well written and easy to read. It covers the differential diagnosis and various treatment options. This is a great book for both psychiatrists and their patients. I give it a 5 star Excellent rating. By Gregg L. Friedman MD, Psychiatrist, Hallandale Beach, FL ...