Video of the Week
Each week, we handpick thought-provoking and inspiring videos that shine a light on important topics in the medical world. From groundbreaking discoveries to personal stories of courage, these talks—such as TED Talks and other expert insights—offer a deeper understanding of rare diseases and how individuals, families, and communities rise to meet these challenges. Take a moment to watch, reflect, and be inspired!
What happens when you have a disease doctors can't diagnose | Jennifer Brea
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) patient Jen Brea shares her difficult journey through a disease doctors could not explain. After a sudden fever, she developed severe neurological and physical symptoms, yet was repeatedly misdiagnosed — even told her illness was psychological. As her condition worsened, everyday tasks became overwhelming, leaving her bedridden for months.
Only later was she diagnosed with ME, a complex illness far more serious than “fatigue,” affecting multiple body systems. Jen describes how the lack of medical understanding and societal disbelief intensified her suffering. She found strength in building an online community of other patients. Through this collective support, she both received and offered help, ultimately becoming a leading advocate raising awareness and demanding better research for ME patients.
This could be why you're depressed or anxious | Johann Hari | TED
Journalist Johann Hari provides valuable insight into the underlying causes of anxiety and depression, emphasizing the role of individualism in this context. “If you're depressed or anxious, you're not weak and you're not crazy — you're a human being with unmet needs,” Hari asserts. He reinforces this idea through compelling examples, such as the story of a Cambodian farmer, which demonstrates how external circumstances and unmet human needs can profoundly influence mental health.
How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime | Nadine Burke Harris | TED
Nadine Burke introduces the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Score, addressing common misconceptions about childhood trauma. She emphasizes that childhood trauma is not something one simply overcomes; rather, it has a profound and lasting impact on children’s development.
Medical Mysteries and Rare Diseases: William Gahl at TEDxCMU 2011
William Gahl explains how he managed with rare diseases and his fight to find solutions. Additionally, mentions some ways we can help improve the medical system.
