Author Archives: Simon Downes, MD, PhD

Medical educator

Suffering from severe insomnia and anxiety

I suffered from very severe insomnia and anxiety relating to relationship issues about 5 years ago. I have pretty much recovered from the anxiety now but I still experience insomnia. I have gone days without sleep before. I feel tension and aches throughout my body. I feel headaches and slowness. I thought my problems were…More

I think my arm is not a part of my body

I think I have a problem. I think my arm is not a part of my body. I feel as if my arm isn’t mine. I talked to psychiatrists about this and they tried to figure out my problem but it’s been months and I still feel this way and have seen no improvement. It…More

Trouble expressing my feelings to others

I had a question I’ve been thinking about for a bit. I am an introvert and have a bit of trouble expressing my feelings to others. Many people, including family and friends, are unable to gauge how I’m doing because I don’t share much information. I just feel a bit awkward when there is a…More

Donating her body to science

I recently spoke with one of our members, czamodeo to ask her how she came to make the decision to donate her body to science after death. USICO: How did you come to this decision?czamodeo: I came to decide to donate my body because I hoped I could be of some help to the Universe after I am gone.…More

Painful arc sign

People who have a shoulder problem feel strong pain when they move their arm especially from 60 degrees to 120 degrees abduction (lifting the arm up to the side above your head). There are various causes of this condition. For example, rotator cuff tear, peri-arthritis (general shoulder pain for ages 40-50), and shoulder bursitis. Interestingly,…More