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Post by Admin on Oct 5, 2016 10:38:22 GMT -4
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Post by Gurinder Sidhu- Extern on Oct 5, 2016 15:31:45 GMT -4
It is always hard to read excerpts such as these and learn that someone even as talented and beloved as Robin Williams suffered so much. Many family members with someone who as LBD might not be able to bring as much attention to this disease as Robin Williams family due to his celebrity. It was brave of his wife to write this peace and tell us the process that occurs to so many people with a difficult diagnosis. As physicians it is difficult to sometimes have the answers patients are looking for especially when it comes to a disease that we are not as familiar with. The greatest legacy Robin William’s death can bring is to bring attention to such a devastating disease.
GS- Extern
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Post by Paul Mtonga (MS3) on Oct 5, 2016 18:42:34 GMT -4
This personal essay by Susan Williams was definitely a heartrending read about the devastating struggle her husband battled against a neurological disease that ultimately led him to take his own life. The essay also offers insight about Lewy body disease, an incurable brain disease with symptoms that are similar to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and depression, often leading to misdiagnosis. Robin Williams was a talented and versatile actor who was passionate about his work. Hopefully this personal essay can achieve it’s intended purpose; to inspire doctors working with the disease to not only better understand their patients’ symptoms, but to also push towards the discovery of a cure for LBD and other brain diseases.
PM (MS3)
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Post by Namita Mehta on Oct 5, 2016 23:48:06 GMT -4
This was an interesting article for me personally because I never knew Robin Williams suffered from Lewy Body disease. Thousands of people suffer from one form of a neurological disease such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc in the US and many are misdiagnosis. It is so important to take time to understand and diagnosis the conditions the right way so better treatment and other options can be given. If patients are given the proper diagnosis they can have a better grasp at how to handle their symptoms and what to look forward to. I hope more understanding about these diseases help find a cure in the future.
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Post by Derek Childers MS3 on Oct 6, 2016 12:01:53 GMT -4
This was a very informative and sad article. It gives you the real picture on what really goes on in the lives of patients with LBD and how it effects everyone’s lives around them. We as physician don't really get to see how this disease really affects the people around them. It’s an unfortunate thing that some people have to suffer through diseases like this. Hopefully with the celebrity status that he had it will raise a bigger awareness for everyone and that one-day we will be able to find the cure for LBD and many other diseases that people suffer from.
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Post by Cyndi Odipo MS4 on Oct 6, 2016 12:22:14 GMT -4
It is heartbreaking learning about individuals who suffered from LBD, and Parkinson’s disease. The difficulties faced daily that are intermittent in nature, bring despair to a person who is victimized by this disorder. Not often do we hear presentations, or highlights of persons with LBD. This article does a particularly good job reflecting the life of an actor Mr. Robin William who suffered from a grave disease that would consume him in the end. His example shows how the psychiatric symptoms manifested, witnessed by him and his spouse, were unkind, exhausting, and disabling. In addition, the article illustrates admirable participation and commitment of the medical community along with other professions to assure proper treatment, and measures carried through for symptomatic relief.
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Post by Betsy Joseph on Oct 6, 2016 17:05:22 GMT -4
This article gave so much insight on what a patient's loved ones experience. It is heartbreaking to see diseases impact not only the patient, but everyone around them. This article also shed light on diseases being misdiagnosed. This happens too often and it leads to patients not getting the right treatments. This article is a perfect example of the phrase "things aren't always what they seem." It's sad to learn about what truly took Robin Williams' life, but this article is one to learn from as future physicians. Hopefully there will be a cure one day for Lewy Body Disease.
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Post by Henry Ukwu on Oct 6, 2016 18:01:01 GMT -4
This article was eye-opening into what goes on in the lives of many patients that suffer from neurological disease such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or in this case, Lewy Body Disease. By introducing the life of a prominent figure such as Robin Williams made this article more personal to us since we can put a face to these under represented disorders. We need empathy for these people with such debilitating diseases. Placing us into the shoes of Robin Williams showed the importance for us to understand and differentiate the manifestations of these diseases so that we can diagnose them correctly & early and treat them for their disorders. We should also be aware of possible co-manifesting disorders such as depression.
Henry Ukwu (MS3)
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Post by Njoud Jweihan on Oct 6, 2016 18:04:36 GMT -4
Although this article focuses on the death of long time award wining Actor Robert Williams, it also focuses on his wife Susan Williams. This article shows how family members of neurologically affected or mentally diseased individuals also suffer and try to look for answers behind their loved one's illness. Unfortunately, when it comes to neurological disorders (specifically neurocognitive), many questions are left unanswered or quite often the answer comes too late. For example, one cannot diagnose Alzheimer's disease (other than clinically) until an autopsy can be taken of the diseased patient's brain. This also applies to LBD. Thus, physicians have to rely on physical symptoms and it is also up to the patient to share with the physician all the changes that are occurring. Mr. Williams did not mention his hallucinations to his wife initially and that happens to be one of the major symptoms of LBD.
I only hope that further advancements in research contribute to neurological disorders diagnosis and treatment so patients like Robin Williams could at least have questions about their symptoms answered.
NJ(MS3)
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Post by Elvis Oppong on Oct 6, 2016 22:02:24 GMT -4
I was not aware Lewy Body Disease killed Robin Williams until reading this article. Depression from what I recall, was the disease mentioned when the incident initially occurred. I can only imagine the agony, in which both ends of the spectrum had to deal with; family members, especially his wife, having to deal with the emotional aspect as well as the medical team dealing with the frustrations of figuring out the diagnosis. This article puts into perspective, one of the many challenges physicians face everyday. The similarities among certain disease processes poses a daunting task for many physicians when it comes to diagnosing patients; hence, the importance of ruling out. The striking similarities between Lewy Body Disease and Parkinson Disease made it challenging for the physicians to decipher in this case. The positive aspect to this sad new is how it establishes an avenue in medicine that physicians and researchers could explore. Also, Robin William’s status will raise awareness about this disease. I am certain that with time, physicians and researchers will come up with a solution to address this disease.
Elvis Oppong (MS3)
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Post by Tolulope A on Oct 7, 2016 9:42:21 GMT -4
How I wish he could have known why he was struggling, that it was not a weakness in his heart, spirit, or character" this statement from Susan Williams regarding her hopes for her husband - Robin Williams captures my hope not only for those who suffer from LBD but also any form of mental or neurological illness. It also captures my hope for everyone else including caregivers,physicians, spouses, family and friends and the society at large. The need for people to know that the suffering of those struggling with LBD or any neurological illness is not necessarily weakness on their part is really needed. This realisation can cause a big shift in how both the victim and the society deals with issues of mental health. The letter is so heavy and hopefully it will help bring alot of attention not only to LBD but other neurological illness.
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Post by Ahmed Kawam MS3 on Oct 7, 2016 18:12:35 GMT -4
Hey everyone,
When reading this article I could help but begin to reminisce about Robin Williams. I grew up watching his comedies with my all time favorite being Mrs. Doubt Fire. He was truly a comedic genius in his work, and people described him to be one of the friendliest men in the world.It would never in a million years occur to me that he would come down with Lewy Body Dementia. Towards the later part of his life I wonder if he would be able to act and tell jokes under that condition with the dementia slowly taking over. This is a very interesting read to Mr. Williams from a different perspective, a perspective that not many of us if any have seen. The perspective of his wife not only shows us how Mr. Williams was but the struggle that they were going through during his disease progression. To see your loved one and someone who you shared your happiest and saddest moments with and then be able to write such an article to me is amazing. She gives us an insight to how he was dealing with the situation and how he handled it himself. Neurocognitive disorders are hard to deal with, and as a support system can almost become unbearable. Being able to cope with such is truly a test of patience. with that being said I leave you all with this:
"I wanted to become a doctor so I could serve others. And because of that, I've lost everything. But I've also gained everything." - Hunter Patch Adams
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Post by Lauren Levy on Oct 8, 2016 0:30:29 GMT -4
Prior to reading this article, I was unaware that Robin Williams had passed away due to a neurological issue, Lewy Body Dementia. It's hard to see someone who seemed so happy and outgoing, go through something as devastating as LBD. This article speaks about one of the major difficulties that physicians struggle with to this day. That is, diagnosing patients with one specific disease when many different diseases overlap in symptoms/signs. Hopefully, this letter and Robin Williams' celebrity status will raise awareness for, not only LBD, but for neurological diseases in general.
LL (MS3)
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Post by Amir Al-Dabagh on Oct 8, 2016 16:12:10 GMT -4
I enjoyed reading this as I am always curious about the different perspectives and thoughts that patients and their families bring to the healthcare team. It is always nice to see the families of patients in the room when I enter a room to interview the patient. The husband, wife, child or other family member often gives a third person perspective about the patient's symptoms with less bias. It must have been very frustrating for a person who is accomplished see their intellect fail them. And I can only imagine the pain that his wife felt as they was unable to 'cure' or help fix his issues as she has done so much in the past. She transformed her painful experience into action and became an advocate for curing this disease. It would be enlightening other families followed her lead.
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Post by Muneeb Ahmad MS-3 on Oct 8, 2016 20:46:13 GMT -4
Susan Williams captures the turmoil to which her husband became victim. Her call to devote more time and effort in exploring the causes of and solutions to LBD is appropriate. As aspiring physicians, and particularly those who wish to enter into psychiatry, we must train ourselves to look deeper into a patient's subjective state. Case in point: upon reviewing the medical logs, the doctor concluded that Robin Williams must have experienced hallucinations, data that could have yielded a more specific and earlier diagnosis.
Prior to the diagnosis of Parkinsonism, RW was prescribed anti-psychotics, which largely act to inhibit dopaminergic signaling. I can't help but think such medications and inaccuracy contributed to the deterioration of RW's mental state.
Perhaps exploring RW's mood and perceptions could have yielded a more accurate and speedier diagnosis. In conclusion, as it pertains to students, I think this article by SW highlights the significance of obtaining a thorough history and characterization of a patient's psyche.
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