'Strange Addictions' That Shock Doctors

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TLC's My Strange Addiction is a complicated show. While I don't like the title or some of the campy ways they portray serious conditions people are dealing with, I do think we can use this as an opportunity to educate about the struggles of real life people, as well as develop empathy for people dealing with addictions we might not quite understand at first. Specifically we look at a girl addicted to collecting cockroaches, twins addicted to being as similar to each other as possible, a woman addicted to neck rings, another woman addicted to tanning booths, a college student addicted to loving inflatable animals, and a man addicted to plastic surgery and trying to look like a real life Ken Doll. Let me know down below if there are more clips you want me to look into!

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Executive Producer: Doctor Mike
Production Director and Editor: Dan Owens
Managing Editor and Producer: Sam Bowers
Editor and Designer: Caroline Weigum
Editor: Juan Carlos Zuniga

* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[jmoe]

Watching this guy kiss his inflatable while doctor mike doesn’t even crack a smirk, really shows what type of person he is and how much he’s invested in the patient. I love watching this guy.

[taylorfrink]

as an autistic person i very much agree about animal therapy, i always had a dog growing up and did horseback riding at a barn well versed in therapeutic riding even though i was undiagnosed at the time. working with horses i think really actually helped my social skills in a way

[margitsample]

I love how Dr. mike shows no judgment. No laughing or mocking. He is a true medical professional. Good for him.

[javiermaldonado]

“Animals are not judgmental”
Cats “am I a joke to you”

[rachelotremba]

0:30 this part made me emotional. I am 21 years old and I just got diagnosed with Autism 2 months ago. I've been debating looking into Equine Therapy because horses have always intrigued me. And to hear him talk about how animals are not judgemental and you can just love them and enjoy their company... I dont know it made me tear up. Thank you Dr. Mike.

[Lst.sul.eatr]

I have autism and depression, one day I found a stray dog on the road who looked malnourished and scared so I lured it into my car and took it to the vet. That dog is named Mimi and has been a part of my life for 2 years now. Every day just seeing her be happy to see me makes me feel like I accomplished something and actually made me more comfortable around others

[austa]

His reaction to the woman that tans a lot actually feels wholesome. He is so concerned for her health because of the great dangers about tanning. Dr Mike is an amazing Doctor.

[GreySam]

That boy with the inflatables absolutely broke my heart. Hearing about how his mother wouldn’t show him love just destroyed me. I’m going to go cuddle with my son ❤

[brandonpease]

Dr. Mike has to be the only person reacting to my strange addiction to listen to someone before talking. We need more listeners in the world, thank you Dr. Mike!

[khalilahd.]

I love that he’s always so understanding and empathetic instead of judgmental. Not just a good doctor but a good person as well ❤

[sfldqpg]

Whenever I watch people react to these Strange Addictions they are so judgemental and talk about the people like they're crazy. But you are so respectful, u let the talk and explain before you react and your words are so gentle and kind! You're amazing! Thank u so much!

[FaithMoulder]

i love how dr mike never judges anyone or even silently laughs at them that shows how good of a person he is

[meghanh]

I love how respectful you are to people’s “strange addictions “

[jessie-nxls]

Being non-judgemental is one of the best things you can be as a doctor. I'm glad he is completely respectful and understanding. Thanks Dr. Mike!!

[MidnightHedgehog]

Good on roach girl! She's caring for the roaches really well. Owning roaches is not uncommon especially in the reptile community and that's exactly how you keep them in egg cartons in a tub or tank especially if you're wanting to breed them. She can totally make a living off of breeding and selling those roaches. Wonder if we have a future entomologist on our hands. I know the parents are uncomfortable with it but I'm happy they're nurturing her curiosity! She'll do good things with it in the future :)

[thedivalovesglitterandglam]

My high school physics teacher had an aquarium full of Madagascar hissing cockroaches. I almost didn't pass the class out of sheer discomfort because of my proximity to their tank, so I can understand why finding out that they existed kept Dr. Mike up all night long.

[Takillama]

My aunt was addicted to tanning when she was younger. I remember people asking me why my aunt was black and the rest of my family was white, but as a little kid I had no idea what they were talking about. (Note: In my 10+ yrs of living there, there was one African American girl who went to my middle school for a total of 6 weeks, and no others in the town or surrounding towns until I was well into my 20's, so I'm not really sure any of the kids even knew what any color of skin other than white looked like irl. This was before internet existed even for schools.) When I was in my early teens she'd gotten to the point her skin was starting to look leathery, she was maybe mid 30's by then. I didn't see her for a long time after that, things happened in life and I only saw her again after I was about mid 20's. I hardly recognized her. She'd obviously at least slowed down on the tanning, she was much paler and looked healthier, but her skin still looked off. About 8 yrs ago my mother told me she'd 'had an accident' and had to get skin grafts and then after that got skin cancer, so she stopped tanning all together. She now lives in Alaska, last I heard. Best place in the US to hide from the sun I suppose.

[jellomiki]

Cockroaches are fascinating creatures, that little girl seams to be a very curious child, she learns to take care of living things, and to not judge things based on their appearance, all around, a very good thing :)

[scootingscout]

Watching DR. Mike argue with videos is my new favorite passing time ❤️😂 truly a genuine caring DR for patients couldn’t have asked anyone better to join medical care xx

[casperh]

23 yo fentanyl addict in recovery here, 7 years of use and just shy of 11 months of sobriety. I love watching these videos because as bizarre as they seem my substance use and a process addiction scratches the same itch. We crave control over things we dont have and end up using drugs/processes to numb or not think about it. Love this channel