Is there really such a thing as the mad genius? Can an illness be both a blessing and a curse? At seven years old, Nick van Bloss started shaking his head, grinding his teeth and making wild whooping noises. Nick had Tourette’s syndrome. No medical intervention helped him. But one activity stopped it all…
The moment Nick placed his hands on the piano keys his symptoms vanished. By the age of 20, he was an award winning international pianist. He felt sure that his illness had made him the success he was.
But there is a catch. The brain state necessary for his genius can also be dangerously close to mental chaos. Nick’s personal journey reveals how close he came to the edge and how determined he is to triumph
There is so much here I could comment on, but just saw something at 39.14 when the two guys are driving along in the car together, the bit about why people don’t like being a passenger 🙂
Also though the brain is an amazing thing, its mind boggling, pun intended
Tourette’s syndrome is not classified as a mental illness.
Actually, according to the DSM-IV, Tourettte’s IS a mental illness. One of the Tic Disorders. I’m a psychologist by profession.
I didn’t know that. thanks, Its certainly treated like one, give them a pill and make it normal