Psychiatrists and psychologists are often writers as well as health care professionals. In one case, the late and well known psychiatrist Ronald Laing is included in this category. For, Laing had a lot of experience in the overall field of psychiatry as explained in a partial psychiatric schizophrenic healing autobiography wisdom, madness and folly. The partial autobiography describes the psychiatrist and the non-conventional aspects of treatments provided throughout a lifetime.

Laing was a Scottish author and psychiatrist whom authored a number of books and appeared in more than a few films related to mental illness. Most of the psychiatrist's views can be attributed to treating clients experiencing various forms of psychopathological phenomena. In addition, as a student of existential philosophy, the unorthodox methods in which Laing treated patients can most likely be attributed to same.

Laing's views often ran counterclockwise to the ongoing treatments of orthodox psychiatry such as chemically based medications and electroshock therapy. In one case, because the psychiatrist and author looked at the feelings of clients as real experiences rather than symptoms. Whereas, when it came to psychosis, Laing viewed schizophrenia as theory rather than the fact.

While labeled as anti-psychiatry by others in the field and a large portion of society, Laing rejected such label and moved forward with a thriving practice. For, the psychiatrist had become accustom to labels as others had been labeling the psychiatrist a New Left thinker for years.

In fact, the film Mad to Be Normal released in 2017 portrays the unorthodox work of Laing's practice in the late 1960s. The film reveals the approach the psychiatrist took as well as the community of clients with which Laing worked. While this is the case, this is just one of many of the films and books in which the psychiatrist has played a major role.

Even as a child, Laing was thought to be clever, competitive and precocious whether related to reading, writing, sports or music, Laing often took the road less traveled. A road which eventually led to the Royal College of Music, then later, the University of Glasgow. It was at the latter where the young Laing failed the exams, then spent six months working in a mental ward before retaking and passing the exams.

During studies at Glasgow, the student set up a club related to the Socratic Oath, acquiring Philosopher Bertand Russell as president. While successful at setting up the club, Laing failed the first set of exams. Then, after serving as an assistant in mental health ward for 6 months, returned and retook and passed the exams.

Ultimately, Laing's colleagues continued to criticize the psychiatrist for going against the grain with regards to treatments. For, most still disagreed with anything other than traditional and well tested methods. While this is the case, Laing continued to remain strongly opposed to any type of electroshock therapy or chemical medications which had the potential to do more harm than good until passing away in 1989.