Daniel Tammet- The boy with the incredible Brain

Here’s part 1 of 5 about Daniel Tammet. He is one of a handful of prodigious savants in the world. It’s remarkable what he’s able to do. He’s able to learn a language in 1 week. He was also able to recite “pi” from memory to 22 514 digits. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbASOcqc1Ss

Daniel suffered from epilepsy as a child and also has Asperger’s syndrome. He says that researchers believe that his seizures and autism combined have caused him to have these exceptional mental abilities. 

Here he is on David Letterman talking about being a savant:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXG-1YLGAS0

Interview with Professor John Nash

This is an interview with Professor John Nash, the man who was the inspiration behind the film “A Beautiful Mind.” He speaks a bit about his experience with paranoid schizophrenia and his son with schizophrenia. 

Interesting to note that his son (John Nash III) was also a mathematical genius who eventually received a phd in math. During his battle with schizophrenia however, he lost his ability to think rationally and only received his phd after subsequent treatment. 

Expert on Mental Illness Reveals her own Fight

Here's another great video & article from Deb. 


Marsha M. Linehan works with seriously suicidal people, having faced the same struggles when she was younger. She has developed new ways of treating the most serious of suicidal patients.


Marsha was diagnosed as having borderline personality disorder when she was younger. 


Personally, I know someone with BPD with most of the classic signs of cutting, suicide attempts, chronic emptiness, impulsive behavior, etc. Unfortunately, I've seen first hand how this disorder, like most mental illnesses, can destabilize an entire family. With a strong support system, psychotherapy, and medication, these patients can often have a significant reduction in symptoms. 


Borderlines are perhaps the most difficult patients to deal with in medicine, mainly due to a lack of understanding and patience from the healthcare professional. Some shrinks even give up on them entirely.

Married to a mannequin

This is a great find by Deb. Ned is married to a mannequin whom he met 25 years ago, when she was just a head. He then built her a body. To Ned, his relationship with his mannequin wife is as real as any relationship gets.

Secrets of the Austrian Cellar- The Story of Elisabeth Fritzl

This was the case heard around the world a few years ago. Still brings shivers down my spine.

Here’s a brief summary: Joseph Fritzl, Elisabeth’s father, built a cellar and trapped Elisabeth inside for 24 yrs. 

During this time, Elisabeth was raped every few days and gave birth to 7 children. 

Some of the children spent their entire life in the cellar. 

After 24 yrs of incarceration, Elisabeth and her children were hospitalized in a psychiatric facility to start their lengthy recovery. 

Joseph Fritzl is currently serving a life sentence.  

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvXymAZ6VGE

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjlRvxtzpuw&feature=related

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfTGHHwLxWA&feature=related

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Dp7tAgW-Y&feature=related

Mentally Ill have reduced life expectancy

Here's an interesting read!

I guess it's not too surprising, but the difference compared to the average population is larger than many experts once thought. 

Dr. Phil- Extreme Hoarding

This clip shows the repercussions associated with Nancy’s compulsive hoarding. 

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OePmQQ9pfGY&feature=related

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqmkbA5Nl8o&feature=related

Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECxAeUooXhY&feature=related

Here, you get a glimpse of all the other turmoil going on in Nancy's life. She had her nursing license revoked due to stealing painkillers and forging prescriptions. Nancy admits she has an addictive personality and also opens up about her volatile relationship with her boyfriend Bob.  

Nancy explains how her setbacks in life have caused her to place a strong personal attachment to her items.  

Part 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhlF10I-J7I&NR=1

Part 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltJrclbKKq0&feature=related