Asahi Shimbun Morning Edition, August 21, 1999 A company employee, slightly intoxicated after work, fell on the stairs at a train station and suffered a spinal cord injury. He was an earnest man with a sharp mind. He could no longer enjoy his favorite activities—hiking, fishing, or golf. Even basic tasks like using the toilet or taking a bath became an enormous struggle. Not only did he suffer, but the stress on his wife and family was also immense. The 1996 film The People v

Asahi Shimbun Morning Edition – August 28, 1999 A young woman battling mental illness recommended the film Cool Runnings  (1992) to me, saying it was excellent. I promptly rented the video. The movie tells an incredible yet true story of a team from Jamaica—a tropical island famous for reggae—competing in the bobsled event at the Winter Olympics. It conveyed the message that even if something seems impossible, there is value in trying. This is an example of how movies can ser

Asahi Shimbun Morning Edition – September 4, 1999 A middle-aged man who had traveled nationwide as a peddler to support his family developed a stomach ulcer. He suffered massive hematemesis (vomiting blood) and was rushed to the hospital. An endoscopy confirmed bleeding from the ulcer site, and he received a large blood transfusion before undergoing surgery to remove three-quarters of his stomach. He returned to work but became easily fatigued and lost his perseverance. When

Asahi Shimbun Morning Edition, September 11, 1999 A child who does not smile when looking at their mother. A child who avoids eye contact. A child who does not follow objects with their eyes. The concept of autism as a developmental disorder was introduced only about half a century ago. The film Rain Man  (1988) significantly advanced public understanding of autism. In the film, Tom Cruise plays a young man who runs a parallel car import business. Upon reading his father’s wi

Asahi Shimbun Morning Edition, September 18, 1999 In the past, saying "That person is sharp" ("Ano hito wa kireru") meant they were highly competent at their job. Nowadays, "kireru" refers to someone losing their composure and suddenly acting irrationally. It’s like an alcohol-free version of a drunken outburst. For instance, when a parent eagerly builds a tower or a house out of building blocks, a child might suddenly destroy everything. This kind of destructive, impulsive b

Asahi Shimbun Morning Edition – September 25, 1999 I am fed up with magazine advertisements featuring "large breasts" that catch my eye on trains, whether I like it or not. Late-night television programs frequently showcase "F-cup" models. At the same time, advertisements for diets and beauty treatments that promote a slim, model-like figure are also widespread. From time to time, patients who are obsessed with the idea that their appearance is ugly visit psychiatric clinics.