"Truman Show Delusion": Psychologists Diagnose Reality Show Mental Illness

New York Post:

Two Montreal shrinks have diagnosed a new mental illness where sufferers are convinced their life is one, big reality TV show.

They're calling the disorder the "Truman Show Delusion," after the 1998 movie starring Jim Carrey.

Psychologist brothers Joel and Ian Gold, who are writing a paper about the illness, have treated five men, all between the ages of 25-34, for the disorder.

"I realized that I was and am the center, the focus of attention by millions and millions of people," one patient told the doctors.

Read the whole story: New York Post

Comments

[Badbone]

This is a form of dissociation, and it’s nothing new. Yes, the technology that allows it is, but not the feeling. Look at the lyrics of Bowie’s “Five Years”. “And it was cold, and it rained, so I felt like an actor”. Perfect example, and one well before reality shows.

[Doofus]

See also... http://www.iep.utm.edu/s/solipsis.htm

'Solipsism and the Problem of Other Minds'

Not exactly a new idea.

[dadw5boys]

Sounds like a married man with a lot of kids and inlaws who depend on him for advice and decision. I know several men who care for over 30 family and inlaws everyday. These people make demands on them for everything from advice to actually solving problems in court as their repersenative. They feel constantly overwhelmed and they do all this because they have a deep family connection and family values.

I told them to stop carrying this load it will kill them early.

[Wilburrr]

"So you see, we have this new, like, drug? And we don't know what it's good for? But if we come up with a new diagnosis? Then we can sell the stuffing out of it.... "

[CharlieMarlowe]

It appears related to narcissism, but doesn't quite fit. This is more than just self-absorption, this is a belief that your life is played out on camera for the benefit of an audience-so part of your life is beyond your control or lived for the amusement of others. This disorder seems similar to the Messiah complex some people develop when they visit Jerusalem.

[Emmagoldmanbabe]

I agree with the narcissism correlation. I know lots of people that have a similar disorder. We call it "self-absorbsion" here in the mental health world

[Zentomato]

Diagnosis? I got your diagnosis right here.

[Mort]

Two hosers looking for their 15 minutes, eh?

[TravisMay11]

It reminds me of the greatly titled South Park episode, "The boys learn life on Earth is an alien reality show about to be canceled."

[andvoodoo2]

Allright, who told them?! Now what am I gonna watch?

[marignymitch]

Sounds like dear old mom. But she's pretelevision and has never seen a reality show. I think the disorder is called narcisssim.

[marijam]

I hate reality tv, which is why I don't watch much television any more. I'm way past ready for this genre to end.

[bennofs]

Isn't this just delusions of grandeur and, or some form of narcissism ?

[klandish]

Yes, but leave it to the Golds to create a nice little side industry.

[Missmn]

Can someone show me where to find this new mental illness in the DSM-IV? Just because someone says they've diagnosed a patient with a new mental illness doesn't mean there's a new mental illness.

[cutter]

They only found five men with this disorder??

[AZBunny]

I'm pretty sure almost ALL young people today under the age of 34 have this mental illness. Witness the LOUD talking on the cell phone in public places including BROADWAY plays.

Ever attend a sporting event and hear young people reciting thier life stories at the top of thier voice? I don't even attend any anymore.