Live from Bellevue: Reality Show Syndrome!

Jen Carlson

Published Jul 21, 2008

Modified Jul 21, 2008

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Jen Carlson

Published Jul 21, 2008

Modified Jul 21, 2008

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It was bound to happen: YouTube-itis, or more accurately "Truman Show Delusion," which is what doctors are calling the malady that has patients claiming they're starring in their own reality television shows. Joel Gold of Bellevue Hospital is currently treating five patients with the disease that he says "involves the entire world." The patients are men between the ages of 25 and 34 who believe they are the "focus of attention by millions and millions of people" and that everyone has been written into their script. One patient said "he planned to climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty, and if his true love were waiting for him, the puppeteer strings would be cut. If she failed to show up, he would jump to his death." There's clearly only one way to stop this disease from spreading: end all reality television.