The Locked Ward: Memoirs of a Psychiatric Orderly

Dennis O’Donnell started work as an orderly in the Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit of a large hospital in Scotland in 2000. In his daily life he encountered fear, violence and despair but also a considerable amount of care and compassion. Recounting the stories of the patients he worked with, and those of his colleagues on the ward, he examines: *the different major mental disorders – their symptoms and manifestations *the various methods of treatment – medication, therapy and conversation *how religion, sex, wealth, health and drugs can bear influence on mental health *the prevailing attitudes to psychiatric illness – the authorities, the professionals & society What emerges is a document of humanity and humour, a remarkable memoir that sheds light on a world that still remains largely unknown and hugely feared.

Reviews of The Locked Ward: Memoirs of a Psychiatric Orderly

"Crammed full of vivid anecdotes and careful observations that run from terrifying to laugh-out-loud to exquisitely painful…a valuable contribution to the literature of madness" — John Burnside Observer "Observant, modest, lightly erudite and heavily self-deprecating…an informative read." Scotland on Sunday "I really enjoyed The Locked Ward. He is compassionate without any taint of sentimentality, and the way he uses language is so elastic. It's like he's the most brilliant court-jester in the most colourful of courts. Bravo to him!" — Gabriel Weston, author of Direct Red "His tone is just right – perfect for the subject matter. He's like a very good documentary maker; he knows exactly where to point the camera" Spectator "We come away with a better understanding of life on a locked ward, and the book should contribute to a more open discussion of mental illness and suicide" Irish Times