I remember reading a few years ago about a brain injury that somehow disconnected the emotional and visual centers of the brain, so that when people who had this injury saw family members, they would visually recognize "That's my brother" or whatever, but wouldn't feel the emotional response that they expected to feel, and would conclude that their whole family had been replaced by pod people

Capgras syndrome. Probably misnamed because it is more of a symptom than a syndrome. It shows up in psychotic disorders, brain injury, dementia, and drug withdrawal. The anguish that patients with this symptom feel can be very moving. Not only have they lost their loved-ones, they have to deal with the imposters every day, so they can't grieve for the loss.

It's a very complex situation. I saw a patient once who was distressed because he was attracted to the alien that had replaced his wife, and he thought he was being disloyal to his wife.

Congrats to Tom!! Awesome news!

It's a very complex situation. I saw a patient once who was distressed because he was attracted to the alien that had replaced his wife, and he thought he was being disloyal to his wife.

Yeah, I've read about this and I find it fascinating. One might think that you could explain what was going on to the person affected so they'd understand their loved ones were really there, but one would be wrong.

Congrats Tom!

My word, Ryan is a cute kid.

One might think that you could explain what was going on to the person affected so they'd understand their loved ones were really there, but one would be wrong.

See, I'd be tempted to make up some other story, that there was some horrible communicable disease that they all got, but, using secret technology, exact replicas were made, and imbued with their memories, personalities, etc. So, your wife is really in there, she's just sworn to secrecy because of the Area 51 technology.

Or you're now in an alternate universe, having switched places with the you in this universe, and you can't go back. So, it's them, just from this universe.

Yay Tom! We're lucky to have him.

Rick! It's always good to get the real scoop from you.

I don't feel the emotional response for many of my relatives that I'm supposed to feel, but it's because they're racist lunatics. Pod people would be an improvement.

Ryan is darling and has very surprised eyebrows. In this one [link] he looks like he's plotting the evil deeds he could do if her could just escape the roses that are bigger than his head.

Congrats, Tom!

Yay Citizen Tom!

Ryan pictures are super cute. Oh my.

It's an older pic, but this one has a little "I need a mini-me, and then I can take over the world" feel to it: [link]

I love the punk rock baby look from this one: [link]

(why yes, I am avoiding paperwork, and watching the Ryan slide show again. Is there a problem with that??)

Ryan is a highly adorable baby.