Ha! If this is true, then every person on these boards has a mental illness!

[iMacc]

So is this a good thing or a bad thing...

[seajay1221]

i actually hear the songs in my head less after taking hallucinogens. wonder what it means.

[melsmusic]

quote:
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Originally posted by skateboarderx24
another doctor that doesnt own an ipod that is trying to end the ipods success and make some dough..i hate doctors
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What proof do you have that this doctor doesn't have an iPod, and he's just out to "make some dough"?

Quit jumping to conclusions and learn to read more carefully. The article just mentions a syndrome of auditory hallucinations that may or may not be related to increased personal music player use. It says absolutely nothing about banning iPods.

I'm a doctor, and I have an iPod. As far as I know, I'm not against iPods, and I don't do anything I don't believe in just to make a quick buck. The article is just an interesting read, that's all. Don't be an idiot - if you hate doctors that much, then at least stand behind your principles and don't go see one when you're sick or injured, since you'll be doing nothing but helping them 'make some dough'. Stupid.

I would think it would be more a case of pharmaceutical companies trying to invent a "new illness" in which to further their profits. Another "illness" give another pill. Some doctors are anti drug taking and will try other methods if this really was a problem with their patient. Prescribe a radio

[D Ko]

Originally posted by moe_4eva
Yes, you'll hate them until you need one. Anyway, I'm feeling like I need a good halucinogen. None of that LSD for me, I'm going for my pod from now on!

You bet. | I | P | O | D |
My anti-drug.

[SPThom]

I dunno... There have been times when I listened to a very specific few set of songs (like 5-10) while I'm writing or trying to get in a certain mood, and I've never had any problems with "musical hallucinations". Most songs that give me trouble are the ones I hear only partway, like the last one playing on the radio in the morning, or playing in a store when I walk out, and most of those songs are ones I go weeks or months without hearing.

I'd like to see similar studies done with video games, though. I know that playing games long enough alters my perception of things... Say, if I'm playing Doom for hours on end, then go walk around & do real-life stuff, I could swear there's a health meter down at the bottom of my vision, with the little marine head looking around. Or if I play Bejeweled long enough, I'll catch myself "playing" it in my head as I try to go to sleep.

My bet is all of that is related--some sort of learned behavioral response to repetitive "tasks".

[Interpol]

Originally posted by SPThom
I dunno... There have been times when I listened to a very specific few set of songs (like 5-10) while I'm writing or trying to get in a certain mood, and I've never had any problems with "musical hallucinations". Most songs that give me trouble are the ones I hear only partway, like the last one playing on the radio in the morning, or playing in a store when I walk out, and most of those songs are ones I go weeks or months without hearing.

I'd like to see similar studies done with video games, though. I know that playing games long enough alters my perception of things... Say, if I'm playing Doom for hours on end, then go walk around & do real-life stuff, I could swear there's a health meter down at the bottom of my vision, with the little marine head looking around. Or if I play Bejeweled long enough, I'll catch myself "playing" it in my head as I try to go to sleep.

My bet is all of that is related--some sort of learned behavioral response to repetitive "tasks".

Ever play Tetris? I remember turning those blocks around and around in my head for months.

The point of all this discussion should be that just because there's a psychiatric diagnosis defined out there, doesn't mean you've got it. Unless you're a psychiatrist, diagnosing yourself with a psychiatric illness isn't a good idea (and even if you ARE a psychiatrist, I've never seen one diagnose him/herself).

[plan9]

Why wait until now for this to appear?

Why didn't they notice this as soon as the Sony Walkman became popular... like back in the 80s?

Maybe he's only just noticed portable audio... where's he been hiding?

[bdb]

Originally posted by plan9
Why wait until now for this to appear?

Why didn't they notice this as soon as the Sony Walkman became popular... like back in the 80s?

Maybe he's only just noticed portable audio... where's he been hiding?

People are spending far more time "plugged in" than back in the 80s. It really took off when iPods became popular. Suddenly it was normal (and even a bit fashionable) to be walking around listening to music. I even see more people carrying around CD players than 10 years ago.

More power-efficient players and better rechargeable batteries probably play a part in this as well. I don't remember how many hours I got out of a pair of AA batteries back in the 80s, but it wasn't much...and batteries were expensive.

[plan9]

Originally posted by bdb
People are spending far more time "plugged in" than back in the 80s. It really took off when iPods became popular. Suddenly it was normal (and even a bit fashionable) to be walking around listening to music. I even see more people carrying around CD players than 10 years ago.

Interesting point. I notice portable audio being a lot popular now than it used to be.

More power-efficient players and better rechargeable batteries probably play a part in this as well. I don't remember how many hours I got out of a pair of AA batteries back in the 80s, but it wasn't much...and batteries were expensive.

It's just that I, and a lot of people I knew at the time, (mid-late 80s), spent a lot of time listening to our Walkmen and never had any problems.

Still, the earlier question on Djs is interesting. If you listen to popular music stations here in the UK, it seems a lot of them are already ill (!). And why blame the iPod? It's not the only DAP out there.

[bdb]

Originally posted by plan9
And why blame the iPod? It's not the only DAP out there.

I see people generically call them "iPods" all the time...probably because most people wouldn't have any idea what a "DAP" is.

Of course, with the iPod's market share being some 80% to 90%, its sort of safe to assume that someone's DAP is probably an iPod.

[jlevi]

Sorry, but I believe it's true, despite the humorous name. I would have called it residual audatory fixation or even audatory hallucination, but that's just me. Maybe people would take him more seriously if he had a better name for it.

The human mind is a very sticky (and incredible) thing. It absorbs and plays with anything you give it. I often have had a song stuck in my head playing over and over and have found myself unable to sleep.
Also, if I drive a long distance for example to lost angelesand hear the same tone from my loud car for about 5 or 6 hours, I get to my destination, sit in the quiet hotel room, and still have the tone playing in my head. It's even worse with single tones.

Am I the only one who has been annoyed by this? I would think it could be solved by playing music softly to drown out the familiar melody, and I definately don't think it's a disease. A life without rhythm and melody would be hell, so I guess it's a blessing if your mind embraces it so fully.

I just don't think this doctor is off by much, even if he is just trying to make a buck.

Your thoughts guys?
JL

[melsmusic]

Well yeah. I get that when I come out of a loud rock concert then go home and my ears are still ringing. I just listen to something quietly so I can get to sleep. I suppose it's a temporary condition but not a sickness. I wouldn't like to see people get put on medication for it.

I listened to a podcast last night about a new book released "Selling Sickness" and the pharmaceutical companies are certainly playing a part in generating consumer awareness to typical conditions that they feel we need to pop a pill for.

[jlevi]

I read through the rest of the replies and thought of a little more commentary - hope I haven't grown boorish.

-I definately agree that repetitive tasks alter the mind's perception of reality. Ever find yourself doing something that requires finesse? In this situation, have you ever screwed up (say, accidentally dragged a marker across the page or cut too far and lost something important) and thought to yourself "Ctrl Z" (Undo on a PC)? My mind jumps around now like I'm browsing the net. I think in terms of multitasking. While one thought process is loading, I sometimes think "open a new tab (Go FireFox!) and think about THIS other top"... sad huh?


-InterPol - I love your comment to the guy with the somewhat haughty comment. Way to burn someone who is talking out their ###

-I also fully agree that the iPod more than any other product ever put on the market has changed the way people listen to music. I was discussing this with my friends, actually. The traditional "first line" when you want to meet someone used to be "Hi, My name is ____." Now, it's been superceded or at least displaced by "Hey can you pause a second?"

Thoughts welcome. It's nice to have an intellectual and insightful conversation over the summer.
JL

[jlevi]

Originally posted by melsmusic
Well yeah. I get that when I come out of a loud rock concert then go home and my ears are still ringing. I just listen to something quietly so I can get to sleep. I suppose it's a temporary condition but not a sickness. I wouldn't like to see people get put on medication for it.

I listened to a podcast last night about a new book released "Selling Sickness" and the pharmaceutical companies are certainly playing a part in generating consumer awareness to typical conditions that they feel we need to pop a pill for.

Oddly enough that reminds me of a social commentary I heard by a guy named Lazyboy.... Here is a selection of it, click for the full thing. I find it both interesting and humorous...


You know we have more prescription drugs now.
Every commercial that comes on TV is a prescription drug ad.
I can’t watch TV for four minutes without thinking I have five serious diseases.
Like: “Do you ever wake up tired in the morning?”
Oh my god I have this, write this down. Whatever it is, I have it.
Half the time I don’t even know what the commercial is:
people running in fields or flying kites or swimming in the ocean.
I’m like that is the greatest disease ever. How do you get that?
That disease comes with a hot chick and a puppy.

It's true though. It really is. It bothers me that people use pills for the most mundane things. I understand SOME people do have chemical inbalances and need medication, but giving antidepressants to young children because they have an improper diet and lax (if existent) excercise regime makes me sick. You might as well tell these children "you don't need to excercise, Billy, there will always be a pill or medication to solve your problems." Then we all sit and wonder why 40% of male high school atheletes take steroids, a substantial factor in the suicide rate of teens.

The list goes on, from stomach staples (which make discipline nearly obsolete) to plastic surgery (what ever happened to having what was inside count...?). It bothers me what they medicate people for these days in place of hard work or struggle.

Sorry to rant, but I agree. Listen to some new music, or, here's an idea - put down the ipod and go watch a movie. Go talk with friends. I bet if some of (I know, not all, I'm sure some people LEGITIMATELY are having this problem) these people were to change their habits and occupy their minds, it wouldn't be an issue.

Sorry to digress - Just wanted to give my mind a jog
JL

[melsmusic]

Yep that's what they are saying. Especially picking on the chicks - we are crazy !! you know so we need extra pills to calm us down.