|
Washington, DC - When college student Tyler O'Connor
first started faking a coma back in December,
it was a temporary fix to get out taking his midterm exams.
Now, nearly five months later, O'Connor says his reasons for
continuing to fake a coma include loads of attention from
friends and family members as well as making his ex-girlfriend
feel guilty for dumping him for a fraternity brother.
O'Connor isn't alone. According to a new article
published in the American Medical Association journal, nearly
9 out of 10 of all coma patients are "big fakers"
who have no medical problems whatsoever but for varying reasons,
simple enjoy the leisurely lifestyle found only in a longterm
healthcare facility.
"The majority of coma patients are simply
liars who like to sleep in," researcher Dr. Brenda Washburn
discovered during her study of more than 300 coma patients.
"Some are interested in the daily sponge baths by nurse's
aides and others are just avoiding jobs or their nagging spouses."
O'Connor, who has no immediate plans to end
his fake illness, says sometimes he gets bored laying in bed
all day, but then he remembers how much he hates working and
studying.
"Nobody yells at you when you have a
coma," O'Connor said. "It's just sympathy and attention
all day long. You can't beat it."
O'Connor does admit after awhile his visits
become more infrequent and he becomes bored watching TV all
day. At that point, he usually pretends to suddenly wake up
for a couple of hours before he falls back into a coma.
"That usually gets visitors to come more
often and entertain me again," O'Connor said. "I
try to give my family and friends hope. By shifting in the
bed and muttering a little bit, I get more gifts and let them
know to turn the channel."
|
