SPECIAL SESSIONS
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in dementia disorders. The demands that the care of people with dementia place on society
and politics and the explanation of sociopolitical action strategies that aim to find a pro-
fessionally and ethically convincing response to these demands will conclude the lecture.
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The misdiagnoses of Vincent van Gogh:
his art and his illnesses
James C. Harris, Baltimore (USA)
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 37 ye-
ars. Relying on limited evidence more than 150 physicians have proposed diagnoses for his
illnesses offering at least 30 interpretations. Despite having a difficult personality, unstable
moods and known substance abuse he was remarkably productive. His late works show an
artist at the height of his ability, completely in control. He completed 864 paintings during
the last 9 years of his life and over 1000 drawings during his lifetime. He was a prolific
writer whose published letters to his younger brother Theo (over 600 letters) reveal his
psychological sensitivity and his wide-ranging interests in art and literature. This presenta-
tion will examine the relationships between Vincent’s creativity, his personality, substance
abuse, mood disorder and his art. It will highlight many specific paintings (for example,
Starry Night) and his correspondence to better understand the complexity of his life, his
relationships and his illness.
Double Concerto for Oboe and Violin in D Minor (BWV 1060)
by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conductor:
Tilmann Mahkorn
Soloists:
Pina Mohs, oboe, and Lara Siefert, violin
Chamber orchestra
Les Amis de Clérivaux
Their hearts are in their mouths, their
hands are trembling, their knees are weak:
many musicians and singers suffer from
extreme stage fright. Because of their fear
of failure they postpone or cancel appea-
rances and do not practice. Since 2010 those affected can find help at the Stage Fright
Clinic, which was founded by the psychiatrist Déirdre Mahkorn at the University Hospi-
tal Bonn. Meanwhile, more than 400 musicians have received professional support. Last
year the project received the DGPPN Antistigma Prize (recognition award) for its work.
The chamber orchestra that will open the DGPPN congress 2014 was also formed as a
result of the Stage Fright Clinic. Les Amis de Clérivaux consists solely of professional
musicians who themselves have experience with stage fright. They come from symph-
ony and opera orchestras from all over Germany, from Austria, Switzerland and the
Netherlands. The ensemble will play the double concerto in D minor for oboe and violin
by Johann Sebastian Bach.
