Amanda Pun

English 113
Professor Lacey
18 February 2015
Greys Anatomy
INTRODUCTION
-Bring up the idea that surgeons, or doctors in general are perceived to be invulnerable
-Present different diseases and disorders
-Define difference between disease and disorder
-Thesis: In the television show Greys Anatomy, a variety of medical diseases and disorders are
presented realistically in different surgeons, thus giving viewers insight into the lives of suffering
patients.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that may occur when a
person experiences or witnesses an event perceived as a threat and in which he or she
experiences fear, terror, or helplessness (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Gale Encyclopedia
of Medicine). These traumatic events may be due to natural events (ex. natural disasters) or
manmade events (ex. shootings). The symptoms of PTSD are grouped into three clusters:
persistent re-experiencing of the traumatic event, persistent avoidance of reminders, and
persistent symptoms of increased arousal (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder International
Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family). Event re-experiences occur as flashbacks, traumatic
daydreams, or nightmares; these memories are triggered by stimuli that remind the patient of
the traumatic event and are wordless, meaning they only contain images and sensations (PostTraumatic Stress Disorder Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine). For someone to be diagnosed with
PTSD, the symptoms must last for at least one month. Symptoms may develop within three

months of exposure to the traumatic event. PTSD symptoms tend to be evident at home, work,
or school and in interpersonal relationships (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder International
Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family).
PTSD not only affects those diagnosed with this disorder, but also those that surround
these patients, including co-workers, friends, and family. PTSD causes patients to suffer from
significant social, interpersonal, or work-related problems. These social problems include
feelings of disconnection, even from loved ones. (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Gale
Encyclopedia of Medicine).
Many characters in Greys Anatomy have been affected by PTSD throughout the seasons,
but the character that depicts PTSD to the greatest extent is Owen Hunt. Owen Hunt, a trauma
surgeon who joined the hospital staff after returning from war in Iraq, suffers from severe PTSD
and demonstrates all the symptoms stated by the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine and
International Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family. Owens re-experiencing of his traumatic
events occurs as flashbacks and nightmares; the television show depicts these re-experiences
accurately since they contain no words and are triggered by a stimulus (Owens stimuli include
the rotating ceiling fan and the propellers of helicopters). These re-experiences cause Owen an
immense amount of distress, causing him to react violently physically, not just mentally. Owens
nervous system is constantly aroused and he tries to combat this by distracting himself with
work. However, his hyperarousal causes him to be easily irritated and startled, making work
difficult. There were many instances where Owens increased irritability lead to panic attacks at
work.
While Owen Hunt does present PTSD symptoms at work, his most prominent
representations of PTSD occur in the presence of his significant other, Cristina Yang. When
Owen is aware and conscious of his actions, he is loving and caring towards Cristina. In contrast,

when he has no control over his actions, like during nightmares, he becomes violent. Owen
wakes up one night to find that he is choking Cristina after having a nightmare; his disgust
towards himself after realizing what he did solidifies the idea that he is not in control of his
behavior at times due to this disorder. Owens constant state of hyperarousal and emotional
fragility poses problems for his relationship with Cristina because he fears for her safety. Despite
this, Owens symptoms of avoidance cause him to refrain from talking about his trauma. Owen
and Cristina seek help from a therapist who urges Owen to speak to Cristina about his traumas.
Another medical disorder presented in Greys Anatomy is phantom limb syndrome.
Phantom limb refers to the abnormal sensations perceived from a previously amputated limb
(Phantom Limb). These sensations are thought to be caused by the reorganization of the central
and peripheral nervous system. The brain alters its connections or functioning in response to
changes, such as everyday learning or injury. Symptoms may present immediately after
amputation, or months to years after (Traumatic Amputations). Sensations emanate from the
absent limb, and in certain cases, the limb may still feel intact. These sensations can be both
painful and non-painful. Painful symptoms include burning, throbbing, or stabbing in nature
(Phantom Limb). Non-painful symptoms include temperature changes, itching, tingling,
shock-like sensations, or perceived motion of the phantom limb (Phantom Limb).
Furthermore, patients may experience changes in pain and most painful symptoms resolve on
their own; however, some patients experience chronic pain (Rugnetta). While there are no cures
for phantom limb, there are different techniques used to help relieve the pain. Some techniques
include biofeedback and mirror box therapy.
Phantom limb syndrome consumed Dr. Arizona Robbins after a terrible plane accident in
the woods at the end of season eight; this accident left her with a severe broken leg and no other
options except for amputation. Despite her doctors best efforts to preserve her leg, Arizonas leg

had become infected and without amputation, she would not have survived. Arizona does not
appear to have any symptoms of phantom limb syndrome until months after the plane crash. As
stated by Rugnetta, the pain Arizona experiences did not remain constant. Arizonas symptoms
used to be present at night only; pain in her nonexistent leg was accompanied by nightmares of
re-injuring her leg. In one dream, Arizona is running through the park and stops at the hospital
only to find her leg shattering. In another dream, the pain in Arizonas leg is so excruciating that
she takes a scalpel and begins to cut off her own leg. Arizona wakes up after her nightmares and
looks at her leg, acknowledging that she no longer has it anymore and the pain is nonexistent. In
episode twelve of season nine, Arizona begins to experience pain at work. Arizona was in
surgery the first time she displayed painful symptoms of phantom limb at work. Consequently,
she left the surgery because the pain was too unbearable.
After this incident, Dr. Owen Hunt (who has experience with phantom limb syndrome
patients) attempts to relieve Arizonas pain with biofeedback. Biofeedback is used to help
patients control their body functions. It helps patients focus on making subtle changes in [their]
body in order to achieve certain results like reducing pain (Mayo Clinic Staff). This process
includes attaching electrodes to the patients skin, which send signals to a monitor that displays
different bodily functions that react under stress. Because these functions are displayed,
biofeedback sessions allow for immediate feedback as patients attempt to reduce stress responses
(WebMD). Owen presents a picture of a beach to Arizona to relax her. While she rejects the idea
at first, she eventually is able to soothe her pain.
Another form of treatment Owen introduces to Arizona is mirror box therapy. The
technique requires a patient to sit with a mirror facing the remaining leg so that it appears that
there are both legs present (Helm). Mirror therapy helps trick the patients brain out of pain.
Arizona finds comfort in this technique, and continues to use it at home during her night pains.

Owen tells Arizona that one of his comrades in Iraq found that the only way to relieve his
pain was to have someone stab his prosthetic leg. During Arizonas second pain incident at work,
she asks one of her colleagues to stab her prosthetic with a scalpel. Immediately after she is
stabbed, a wave of relief overcomes her. While this form of treatment does not appear to be
widely practiced, the idea of it is clear: it makes patients realize that there cannot be pain in the
absent limb.
The depiction of phantom limb syndrome in Greys Anatomy is realistic, from the
symptoms Arizona experiences to the different treatments she tries. The only aspect of Arizonas
phantom limb syndrome that was not supported by research was the form of treatment involving
having someone injure her prosthetic leg. However, the reasons behind this treatment are still
realistic and relate to the reasons why other forms of treatment are successful in some cases.
While those disorders appear in the show later on, a more prominent disease that lasted
throughout the majority of the seasons captured viewers beginning in season one: Alzheimers
disease. Alzheimers is an irreversible and incurable progressive neurological disease; it is
characterized by the degeneration and death of nerve cells in the brain, causing brain size to
decrease (Alzheimers Disease). The exact cause is unknown, but is likely to be caused by
genetic and environmental factors (Alzheimers Disease).
Alzheimers symptoms are grouped into three categories: cognitive deficits, behavior and
psychiatric symptoms of dementia, and difficulties with daily life (Alzheimers Disease).
Major cognitive deficits include amnesia (memory impairment) and agnosia (inability to
recognize familiar people and places). Behavior and psychiatric symptoms include depression,
wandering, and aggression. Lastly, issues with eating, shopping, and showering are symptoms of
difficulties with daily life. Alzheimers disease is considered insidious since it begins slowly;
some people are unaware of any impairment, and since Alzheimers typically affects seniors,

patients tend to blame their forgetfulness on old age (Alzheimers Disease). These symptoms
may not be consistent; Alzheimers patients may experience moments of lucidity and rapid
changes in mood (ex. being calm one moment and irate the next) (Boerner). There are no cures
for Alzheimers, but there are treatments such as counseling, emotional and social support, and
drugs that help with symptoms (Alzheimers Disease).
Alzheimers disease affects Dr. Ellis Grey, whom is diagnosed before the show aired, so
viewers do not have the opportunity to witness her early symptoms of Alzheimers. Ellis was a
renowned surgeon; however, after being diagnosed with Alzheimers, she left work and her
daughter sent her to a nursing home.
Experienced moments of lucidness
was aware of who her daughter was
Very aggressive; forgot who people were (season 2 episode 3)
Admitted into the hospital and strapped onto the bed
to prevent her from physically harming others
Couldnt remember her daughter when she visited
the nursing home
remembered certain people and forgot that years had passed from a
certain point (season 2 episode 3,4)
Ellis is admitted to the hospital and continuously
attempts to leave her hospital bed, thinking she is still a surgeon.
Her former significant other, Dr. Richard Webber,
visits her and she believes they are still in a relationship although many
years have passed.

Phantom Limb The Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders

Traumatic Amputations The Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=88097 helm
http://abc.go.com/shows/greys-anatomy/episode-guide/season-09/912-walking-on-adream#recap
Alzheimers Disease The Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Health
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/11/lucidity.aspx BOERNER