This guy promotes himself as a compassionate humorist and psychiatrist. That's a laugh. Instead, read what he has to say about the mentally ill, in his book "A Laughing Place."

Humor for Psychiatric Patients

This is almost too broad a subject because of the variety of disorders which may require psychiatric intervention. In general, I would avoid giving this book to any person in crisis and I would avoid applying humor until he is showing definite signs of recovery. Maybe the book could serve as a thoughtful gift when he is "Out of the woods." But, early in the process, there is no telling how your attempts at humor might be interpreted - or misinterpreted.

"Black Hole" People

Black hole people are those negative, humorless individuals who seem to suck humor out of any environment. Like black holes in space, they are so heavy that not even light can escape from them.

Hageseth goes on to give tips in dealing with black hole people, such as:

"Black hole people need love too."

"Give them this book as a gift."

"When they make efforts at humor, respond with the most laughter you can genuinely muster...."

Basically, his best advice is give this book as a gift. It's repeated on nearly every page.

Thanks to my friend Nancy who let me read her copy of the book, instead of giving me one as a gift.

And he sells a video which tells all about ECT. Let's see what one former ECT patient has to say about his video!

I just saw Hageseth's video, and am retching. All through it I screamed at the screen. It is much, much worse than a mere description of it can convey.

Imagine a woman (whom I've talked to, and who has permanent memory loss) wearing a gown with colored balloons, clutching a teddy bear, saying "I take my bear in to every treatment", and then you see she actually does. Imagine a room full of patients in colored gowns all clutching teddy bears. Imagine an interview where everyone laughs about how when she was "ill" her husband and four children had to do (gasp) household chores! Imagine Hageseth prodding her to tell how ECT has improved her spiritual life! Imagine him telling a social worker pretending to be a shock patient that "we painted this bird scene on the ceiling just for you!"

Imagine his tone throughout like a preacher---not an evangelical one, but like a zoned out one, OH SO CALM AND REASSURING, kind of like Mr. Rogers on shock

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