Doctors’ Toughest Diagnosis: Own Mental Health

This article is about the high rate of depression and suicide among physicians. As the article states, “physicians are trapped in a culture which discourages them from discussing their illness openly.” 

On page 2, you can read about the story of Dr. Hansbrough, a renown burn surgeon who ended up committing suicide. He is also featured in the documentary “Struggling in Silence: Physician Suicide and Depression”. 

There’s also a third page, even though it says there’s only two. 

The Woman who can't forget

Here's the other extreme!

Jill Price in unable to forget anything in her life. Here, she explains how it paralyzes her because she feels her memories of the past with debilitating intensity.  

Scientists have found similarities between Jill’s brain and patients suffering from OCD.

Living without Memory

Alot of you were really curious to learn more about Clive Wearing, so here are some more clips from "The Mind". 

Part 2a: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu9UY8Zqg-Q&feature=related

Part 2b: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCyvzI2aVUo&feature=related

I thought part 2b was particularly interesting because it starts off with Clive describing his experience of “waking up”.

Part 2c: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BrCBq2FY_U&feature=related

Part 2d: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKxr08GEE54&feature=related

The Man with a 30 second memory

Clive Wearing is considered to have perhaps the most severe case of amnesia ever known. His memory only lasts between 7 and 30 seconds, so every time his short term memory lapses, he essentially "restarts" his consciousness.

You can read more about him on Wikipedia. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Wearing

I find it neat how despite his situation, he still has a great sense of humor, can remember his wife, and play the piano just like the good old days!

Sorry for the double send to those who received the clip earlier ; )

The Killing of Psychiatric Patients in Nazi Germany between 1939-1945

Another great find by Deb!

The Story of David Reimer: Born a boy, Raised as a girl

A bunch of us were talking about the topic of sex reassignment surgery the other week, so I thought I’d dig this one up. 

It’s a story about twin boys born in Winnipeg, Canada. 

A few months after birth, the twins went to the hospital to get circumcised. 

Using electrical circumcision machinery, an accident occurred and David’s penis was burned off. 

With the help of Dr. Money, the family decided to raise David as a girl. 

The ending is quite tragic as you'll see. 

Despite the tragic ending, there is still more emphasis on nurture over nature today!

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GhbVFjIaN0

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noqRhuE8_XA&feature=related

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ctg3poxT9g&feature=related

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnb3EwJtsDs&feature=related

Dr. Phil: Body Obsessed Boys

I'm a big fan of Dr. Phil. Thought I'd share this.

The episode is about Eric, a 15 year old boy with an eating disorder. He has a phobia of gaining body fat.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHE5BTPjd3k&NR=1
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEpacHniSZc&NR=1
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN67MvvgFPM&feature=related

If you want to see the entire episode, you can find the other parts on youtube as well.

In Part 6, you get to see Troy, a physical education teacher who doesn't practice what he preaches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esz3zCtaFB8&feature=related

Eating disorders are much more common in women which often causes physicians to fail to diagnose these problems in males. Also, the stigma inherent in having an eating disorder as a male causes most men to delay treatment.