STRANGE MIND
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STRANGE MIND •
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is one of the most misunderstood mental disorders. Learn what the science really says about trauma, memory, identity, and the myths surrounding DID.
Movie poster for the Three Faces of Eve, portraying DID as a jolly romp.
Rather than license a photo of Chris Costner Sizemore, here is the beautiful GA native, Joanne Woodward, who plays her in the aforementioned film. Big ups Marietta and Geaux Tigahs!
Interesting documentary about a therapist with DID who treats others struggling with the disorder, Busy Inside.
Two of Billy Milligan’s 24 faces.
Some of Milligan’s artwork, created by a few of his alters. While hospitalized, Milligan painted and sold his artwork for thousands of dollars. Unlike typical patients who were restricted on funds, he was allowed to keep all the money he earned, which eventually enabled him to buy a car. The sale of his paintings sparked intense public backlash and legislative scrutiny regarding whether he was improperly profiting from his crimes - kidnapping, rape, and robbery.
A creepy drawing done by Ragen Vadascovinich, Milligan’s Yugoslavian alter - also known as the "keeper of hate." Eek.
Sally Field, undoubtedly overacting as Sybil - alongside aforementioned GA native, Joanne Woodward.
Dr. Cornelia B. Wilbur, Sybil’s therapist and identity fusion magician.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE - Part One
EPS. 11 & 12
Dissociative Identity Disorder - Parts 1 and 2
This week and next, we're diving into Dissociative Identity Disorder—the psychology behind "multiple personalities," why the name changed, the truth behind famous cases like Sybil and Billy Milligan, and what modern science actually says about one of the most misunderstood disorders in psychiatry. As always, it's strange, fascinating... and unsettling.
Listen to the full episode:
Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
One moment you're walking through your house. The next, the hallway stretches impossibly long. Your hands look twice their normal size. Your dog suddenly appears tiny, like a toy. You know none of it is real—but your brain insists that it is.
Illustration by Sam Island
Hallucination: Seeing, hearing, or sensing something that isn't really there.
Illusion: Seeing something that's there, but getting it wrong.
Distortion: Seeing something that's there, but it looks different than it actually is - Alice in Wonderland Syndrome.
Lewis Carroll aka Charles Ludwidge Dodgson.
He created the name Lewis Carroll by translating his real name, into Latin, then translating it back into English in reverse order.
Photograph by Dodgson of his muse, Alice Liddell, age 10.
Click here for more about “Lewis Carroll’s Shifting Reputation.”
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
EP. 10
Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is a rare neurological condition that can make people perceive their body, other people, objects, distance, or even time in bizarre and unsettling ways. In this episode of Strange Mind, we explore the fascinating neuroscience behind AIWS, examine real-life cases, and discuss why the brain can sometimes create experiences that feel like an absurdist fairytale.
Listen to the full episode:
Factitious Disorder (Formerly Munchausen Syndrome)
Why would someone fake an illness, undergo painful medical procedures, or even make another person sick for attention? Explore the psychology of factitious disorder, formerly known as Munchausen syndrome, and the real-life cases that make it one of psychiatry's most baffling disorders.
Baron Munchausen, taking a ride on a cannonball.
Feel free to use this image if you’re late to work.
If you’d like more information about factitious disorder, here’s a talk with Marc Feldman, MD & Janet Cahill, PhD
Actual photo used by Debbie Swenson as Kaycee Nicole
EP. 09
Factitious Disorder (Formerly Munchausen Syndrome)
In this episode of Strange Mind, we explore factitious disorder (formerly known as Munchausen syndrome), a complex psychiatric condition where individuals fabricate, exaggerate, or even induce symptoms in order to assume the role of a patient. We dive into the history of the syndrome, examine disturbing real-world cases of medical deception, and explore the psychology behind a disorder that challenges our understanding of identity, attention, and the need to be cared for.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE
Clinical Zoanthropy | When People Believe They Are Animals
In this episode of Strange Mind, we explore clinical zoanthropy, a rare psychiatric syndrome in which individuals believe they have become, or are in the process of becoming, an animal. From people convinced they are wolves, poultry, cats, or even gerbils, these extraordinary cases challenge our understanding of identity, perception, and reality itself. We examine the neuroscience, psychology, and documented case studies behind one of the rarest and most fascinating delusions ever recorded.
Jeez Louise, clinical lycanthropy is a real psychiatric condition
Photo of Peter Stump, Vampire of Bedbug’s execution
Here’s an article from the Guardian about the woman who believed she’d become a chicken.
Excerpt: “Patients have reported believing they are a dog, lion, tiger, hyena, shark, crocodile, frog, bovine, cat, goose, rhinoceros, rabbit, horse, snake, bird, wild boar, gerbil and a bee.”
Gerbils are actually pretty cute.
(Not) actual footage of the patient from the episode hunting with cats. Photo by: Lucas Sankey
Not sure if this dude meets full diagnostic criteria….
EP. 08
Clinical Zoanthropy | When People Believe They Are Animals
In this episode of Strange Mind, we explore clinical zoanthropy, a rare psychiatric syndrome in which individuals believe they have become, or are in the process of becoming, an animal. From people convinced they are wolves, poultry, cats, or even gerbils, these extraordinary cases challenge our understanding of identity, perception, and reality itself. We examine the neuroscience, psychology, and documented case studies behind one of the rarest and most fascinating delusions ever recorded.
Rain Man and the Real Savants
In this episode of Strange Mind, we explore the fascinating world of savant syndrome, a rare condition in which individuals display extraordinary abilities that stand in stark contrast to their overall functioning. From remarkable feats of memory and mathematical calculation to incredible artistic and musical talents, savants have captivated scientists and the public for decades. We examine the neuroscience behind these exceptional abilities, the differences between congenital and acquired savant syndrome, famous real-life cases that inspired films like Rain Man, and what these extraordinary minds reveal about the hidden potential of the human brain.
The movie that put counting toothpicks on the map.
Kim Peek, the man who inspired Rain Man.
For a video of him, click here
Leslie Lemke, real life savant, musical genius
For a video of him click here
Liz relates to this more than she would like to admit.
Actual footage of me trying to deduce why I walked into a room.
Meanwhile, Kim Peek memorized 12,000 books.
EP. 07
Rain Man and The Real Savants
Most of us spend our lives trying to learn new skills—but a rare few are born with extraordinary abilities that seem almost impossible. In this episode of Strange Minds, we explore the fascinating world of savant syndrome, from the real-life inspiration behind Rain Man to individuals with astonishing gifts in memory, mathematics, music, and art. How can someone struggle with everyday tasks yet perform feats that leave experts speechless? Join us as we examine one of the most mysterious and remarkable conditions in psychology.
Koro / Shrinking Penis Disease
When collective fear turns into a shared physical delusion.
Penile retraction prevention device.
Fox spirit confronted for penis theft. Swiper, no swiping.
EP. 06
Koro / Shrinking Penis Disease
Explore Koro, a rare culture-bound syndrome involving an intense fear that the genitals are retracting into the body and may disappear. In this Strange Mind episode, we break down reported outbreaks, psychological and cultural factors, and how anxiety and body perception can spiral into extreme panic.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Part 1
When the mind gets stuck in loops of fear, order, and doubt.
EP. 05
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Part 1
In this episode of Strange Mind, we explore three subtypes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, including a woman consumed by compulsions around sweets, a disturbing case involving sexual intrusive thoughts and religiosity, and a “just right” presentation where everyday actions had to feel perfectly correct or they couldn’t continue. It’s a look at how OCD doesn’t always look like cleaning and checking — sometimes it shows up in unexpected, intense, and deeply disruptive ways.
Frontal Lobe Disorders
A look at how the frontal lobes shape personality, judgment, and behavior.
The Man, the Myth, the Legend - Phineas Gage himself
The tamping iron and his skull, for scale.
Not the most accurate rendition of his likeness IMHO.
(not) Actual footage of Phineas Gage, with one eye and a damaged frontal lobe navigating a precarious pass in his Chilean stagecoach.
The frontal lobe
EP. 04
Frontal Lobe Disorders
A darkly fascinating dive into what happens when the brain’s “control center” goes off-script. In this podcast, we explore frontal lobe disorders through some of the strangest and most unsettling cases in neuroscience—from Phineas Gage and his personality-altering injury, to bizarre clinical stories where damage to the brain reshapes behavior, impulse, and identity in unexpected ways. These are the cases where people don’t just change—they become someone else, revealing how fragile the line is between who we are and what our brains allow us to be.
Capgras Syndrome / The Imposter Delusion
When your brain insists the people you love are imposters.
Viking Cat Lady’s prized Oakland Cemetery lady (that may or may not be possessed).
Click HERE for the original paper describing Madame M’s case in detail.
Written by: J. CAPGRAS and J. REBOUL-LACHAUX
J. Capgras himself
Click HERE for the clinical paper of the patient with Capgras that we discussed in the episode.
DON’T SAY I DIDN’T WARN YOU (it’s gruesome)!!!
Actual sack of potatoes.
Ferocious honey badger - significantly more threatening.
Penalty of the sack in ancient Rome
EP. 03
What if someone you love looked exactly the same—but you knew they weren’t really them? Capgras syndrome convinces people that familiar faces have been replaced by identical imposters. In this episode, we unpack the eerie disconnect between recognition and emotion, exploring how the brain can see someone clearly… yet feel nothing at all.
Cotard’s Syndrome / Walking Corpse Delusion
One of psychiatry’s strangest conditions—believing you are a walking corpse.
Jules Cotard
Since there are no images of Mademoiselle X or Graham, here’s a cool image that looks like a walking corpse
Graham’s version of Cheers
EP. 02
Imagine believing you’re already dead—or that you don’t exist at all. Cotard’s syndrome is one of the most disturbing disorders in psychiatry, where the mind rejects its own existence. In this episode, we dive into the haunting reality of this condition, the neuroscience behind it, and what it reveals about consciousness, identity, and the fragile sense of being alive.
Folie a Deux - Shared Psychosis
One of the strangest psychiatric phenomena: shared madness between two people.
Lea and Christine Papin
Lea and Christine Papin
Lea and Christine Papin
Madame Léonie Lancelin, and her daughter Genevieve - gouged eyes and bludgeoned butts
Ursula and Sabina Eriksson
Click HERE for the full episode of Motorway Cops featuring Ursula and Sabina Eriksson doing their thing.
Erikssons on the loose
Good samaritan, Glenn Hollinshead - no good deed
EP. 01
Folie à Deux (Shared Psychosis)
What happens when two people share the same delusion—and reinforce it until it becomes their reality? In this episode, we explore folie à deux, a rare and unsettling condition where belief is contagious and truth becomes negotiable. Through real cases and psychological insight, we break down how relationships can blur the line between connection and distortion.