PA Quoted in Glamour as Mental Health Expert
I’ve written before about PAs featured in women’s consumer magazines, but it’s always been for something like a makeover or a contest. So I was happy to notice a PA quoted for his expertise in Glamour.
The November issue includes an interesting story called "She Said She Had Breast Cancer—But She Lied." It focuses on Suzy Bass, a woman who faked having cancer three times. Finally admitting herself to a psychiatric ward, she was diagnosed with bipolar, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Bass is currently under the care of Alabama PA Marvin Kalachman:
Could someone honestly believe she is dying while actively lying about it? That’s part of the puzzle Bass’s counseling team is attempting to piece together. “It is certainly possible that given her diagnosis of bipolar disorder, Suzy could have truly believed she had cancer,” says Marvin Kalachman, a licensed physician assistant who has treated patients for more than 30 years. He prescribes and monitors Bass’s medication under the supervision of a medical doctor. Every other week Bass, escorted by a family member, drives for an hour from her home to see Kalachman and attend therapy sessions at Trinity Counseling Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Her parents are helping to pay for treatment.
Link to full story (PA quote is on page 6)