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Index to Creationist Claims,  edited by Mark Isaak,    Copyright © 2005
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Claim CA131:

Charles Darwin became chronically ill shortly after returning from his voyage on the Beagle, making him an invalid for much of his life. His symptoms -- depression, vomiting, palpitations, etc. -- match no organic illness and appear to be psychogenic (originating in his mind). The cause of this illness could be anxiety that his theory was wrong or guilt from rejecting God.

Source:

Bergman, Jerry. 2004. Was Charles Darwin psychotic? A study of his mental health. Impact 367 (Jan.). http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=112
Grigg, Russell. 2001. Darwin’s mystery illness. Creation 17(4), http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v17/i4/darwins_illness.asp

Response:

  1. Many different diagnoses have been proposed for Darwin's illness, generating much controversy (Smith et al. 1990; Alder et al. 1997; Campbell and Matthews 2005). An organic cause for Darwin's illness is entirely possible. Both Chagas' disease (Alder 1959; Pasnau 1990) and systemic lactose intolerance (Campbell and Matthews 2005) explain most or all of his symptoms. Some have taken his symptoms as evidence for panic disorder with agoraphobia (Barloon and Noyes 1997), but the symptoms can also be direct symptoms or other consequences of the above organic illnesses. For example, a relatively secluded lifestyle and occasional depression are normal reactions to a chronic illness. Other symptoms, such as anxiety upon leaving home on the Beagle, may be entirely normal. The timing of his symptoms does not fit all that well with a psychosomatic cause but does fit well with systemic lactose intolerance (Campbell and Matthews 2005).

    Even if Darwin's illness was an anxiety disorder, such a disorder has nothing to do with being psychotic. It is a genetic disease which causes synapses in the fight-or-flight region of the brain sometimes to fire more than they should. The disease is typically associated with above-average intelligence.

  2. The theory of evolution is based on evidence, not on the authority of Darwin. Aspects of Darwin's life are of historical interest, but they have no relevance to science.

  3. Some people can achieve great things while suffering seemingly debilitating conditions. Darwin researched and wrote several major books on diverse subjects (including orchids, barnacles, the expression of emotions, insectivorous plants, and earthworms) while chronically ill.

References:

  1. Alder, J., R. Colp Jr., G. M. FitzGibbon, A. G. Gordon, T. J. Barloon, and R. Noyes Jr. 1997. The dueling diagnoses of Darwin. Journal of the American Medical Association 277: 1275-1277.
  2. Alder, S. 1959. Darwin's illness. Nature 184: 1102-1103.
  3. Barloon, T. J. and R. Noyes, Jr. 1997. Charles Darwin and panic disorder. Journal of the American Medical Association 277: 138-141.
  4. Campbell, A. K. and S. B. Matthews. 2005. Darwin's illness revealed. Postgraduate Medical Journal 81: 248-251.
  5. Pasnau, Robert O. 1990. Darwin's illness: A biophychosocial perspective. Psychosomatics 31: 121-128.
  6. Smith, F. et al. 1990. Darwin's illness. Lancet 336: 1139-1140.

Further Reading:

Campbell, A. K. and S. B. Matthews. 2005. Darwin's illness revealed. Postgraduate Medical Journal 81: 248-251.
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created 2005-4-28