I've studied depression and its variants all my life—as a psychology major, as a med student, and as an observer of those around me. I've chosen to weigh in on the debate over Robin Williams for that reason, and also because depression is an important theme in my memoir, Cleft Heart. Before delving further into the Williams case, I'll address some of feedback I've received regarding my assertion that Williams suffered from bipolar disorder. And since there have been new revelations about … [Read more...]
Robin Williams bipolar disorder?
I'm continuing my examination of Robin Williams mental state for two reasons. First, I admired his wide ranging talent and have had nothing but good feelings for him over the decades. Second, I've spent much of my life thinking about depression and related diseases since people close to me have suffered from such afflictions. I've chronicled some of this in Cleft Heart: Chasing Normal. Funnyman-in-Chief had bipolar disorder? Our nation has lost its Funnyman-in-Chief, and this is doubly … [Read more...]
If Williams was bipolar, he wasn’t alone.
Robin Williams I knew Robin Williams' death by hanging would be as hard for me to process as Philip Seymour Hoffman's recent tragic death at age 46. That's because a central character in my memoir, Cleft Heart, may've battled the black dog of depression as some allege Williams did. My family—and my study of psychology in college and med school—have sensitized me over the years to the complexities of mood disorders, esp depression and manic-depression (called bipolar disorder today). My guess … [Read more...]
Oscar Pistorius——not mentally disabled, but a psychopath?
No mental disability when fired shots. It's been a month since various media shouted the news that Oscar Pistorius didn't have a mental disability when he killed his girlfriend. So technically, he has only one disability, his amputated legs. However, it's been over a year (Feb 2013) when I speculated that Pistorius might be a psychopath along the lines of fallen and disgraced sports heroes like Lance Armstrong and OJ. Simpson. I'd have to say the "jury is still out" regarding whether … [Read more...]
Heart to heart about memoir, Cleft Heart.
As part of the International Authors' Day blog hop hosted by b00kR3vi3ws, I'm going to tackle some of the questions that're asked of me as I do various book events on Cleft Heart book tours. Debdatta, who reviews books at his site, b00kR3vi3ws, claims he's addicted to books. I hope he never goes into rehab. 1. Why now? What made you decide to write Cleft Heart? I finally got some time off from being a professor and decided to have another go at aspects of being a cleft afflicted … [Read more...]
Celebs with cleft lip & other birth defects—II.
Here are six celebs born with less impactful birth defects than those noted in my prior blog (which included Joaquin Phoenix). Again, thanks to Listverse.com and Madamenoire.com for doing the legwork. FOREST WHITAKER, LAZY EYE When asked about his famous lazy left eye, Forest admits that he inherited the condition from his father. He has considered having it fixed but only because it affects his vision. Some birth defects are mild, even intriguing. Here's another eye "deformity," … [Read more...]
Date a harelip? Cont’d.
Harelip, cleft lip? What's in a word? Using the word harelip in these times is a bit like using the N-word or other slang words for minorities. It's offensive to cleft-affected people and an indication of ignorance about the birth defect commonly known as a "cleft lip." Actually, doctors and scientists often use the medical term, cheiloschisis. See other technical terms for clefts and their repair. I'll continue now with more responses to an Asker's question on Ask Yahoo, "Would you … [Read more...]