John Nash Speaks
Nobel Laureate John Nash is the world's most famous schizophrenic, primarily owing to the biopic A Beautiful Mind. Nash rarely speaks about his experiences although he has given public speeches a few times in recent years including this one at the APA's annual convention. I cannot even think of when the APA has ever before had a patient give a keynote address. There's an account of it here.
I find it difficult to imagine that the above article--which quotes Nash talking about how schizophrenia and other mental illnesses must have an evolutionary purpose of some kind--fully captures what Nash said. But I have been unable to find a complete transcript of his speech.
I'm a bit puzzled that world's most famous schizophrenic would have no public comments about the awful state faced by his fellow patients and that he wouldn't seek to end the small controversy around whether meds saved him or whether he saved himself or whether it was a combination of the two forces. He must know by now that the public in interested in knowing that answer.
All the same, it's great to see Nash getting some credit within the psych world. He deserves it.
Posted by Philip Dawdy at July 9, 2007 12:03 AM
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From a 60 Minutes interview with him, his son and his wife a few years back, I gathered that his son is diagnosed with schizophrenia and does take anti-psychotics. I don't know if this is an influence on what he says in public or not, but it might be.
