Dr. John Nash
Let us see what reputed Psychologist and Psychiatrist have to say about Dr Nash's likely health condition:
"Author Nasar suggests that in light of Nash's age, his successes, and brilliance, there must have been some consideration of the possibility of manic depression,particularly when Robert Lowell was having his fifth hospitalization for manic depression at that time"
"Nasar also notes a rather cryptic comment by psychiatrist Joseph Brenner in 1997, and who had been appointed a junior administrator on the McLean admission ward shortly after Nash's admission – that in making a diagnosis, ‘One always fudged it. One couldn't be sure "
"The extended period of disability experienced by him in the 1960s – from which ‘Slowly he just somehow woke up’ according to Freeman Dyson , may have reflected an extended period of depression rather than schizophrenia of necessity"
But 1959 was probably the very worst time in the history of American psychiatry to become ill. Psychiatry then was still drenched in Freudian dogma, and for the Freudian psychoanalysts “schizophrenia” was really a wastebasket diagnosis: They used it
indiscriminately on all patients who did not seem to be suitable candidates for “The couch.”
indiscriminately on all patients who did not seem to be suitable candidates for “The couch.”
"Now, this does not really happen in core adolescent-onset schizophrenia. Some of the patients don’t recover at all; others make only a “social recovery,” ending with what the Europeans call a “defect.” That you awaken magically from classical schizophrenia
—often called “hebephrenia”—and go on to have a normal life: Maybe not."
—often called “hebephrenia”—and go on to have a normal life: Maybe not."
"But at least we can stop chanting that
Nash had “schizophrenia,” when in fact we don’t actually know what he had."
Nash had “schizophrenia,” when in fact we don’t actually know what he had."
While addressing this topic, it would be relevant and apt to briefly mention about the unusual social phenomenon that was prevalent in mainland Europe between 14th to 17th centuries, though there could have been many earlier cases dating back to the 7th century. This unusual phenomenon was called the "Dancing mania".
During such manic episode, a group of people were known to dance until exhaustion and injuries, and even until death at times. During the medieval period, such social episodes were believed to be due to reasons such as, saintly curse, dancing plague and more. However, as per some psychologists and psychiatrists of current times, those manic episodes could have been caused due to shared distress and pious fear. The point being that distress, and gloominess could play an important role in one's mental state, along with the individual's ability to cope with such situations. Most importantly, ability and know-how of medical and health practitioners goes a long way in tackling health issues in general, not limiting to mental health. For that matter, the word "HEALTH" itself means, "the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit".
Coming Soon:
1.
Comparisons and contrasts between the two extraordinary minds,
Srinivasa Ramanujan and Nash, who were gifted with extraordinary
capabilities, though they were from totally different backgrounds
2. Nash's upbringing and his early life prior to "health" issues
3. Nash's focus on cooperative games, and how certain factions tend to be averse and allergic to cooperative games
4. Historical account of medicine
5. Prevailing situation between 50s and 70s
6. What major magazines had to present on Nash's condition then?
and more ...
Wait and Watch ....
Note: Also, available over here,
- https://web.archive.org/save/https://pielytics.aioradar.com/2024/07/beautiful-door-or-sliding-mind.html
- https://archive.ph/UiulB