C4 commissions new two part mental health series, 'My Mania and Me' wt

Pyromania, kleptomania and nymphomania are all well-known conditions but what lies behind them? Channel 4 has commissioned two ground-breaking films examining the lives of six people who have an uncontrollable urge to set fires, gamble, have sex, shop, steal or give in to bursts of anger.  

What connects these conditions is that they are all a form of Impulse Control Disorder or ICD. ICD is a relatively new definition of a psychiatric condition first documented in the 2013 edition of the psychiatrists’ bible, The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Stastistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It describes ICD as the failure to resist a temptation, an urge or impulse that may harm the sufferer or others and through a specific lack of self-control.

This series follows sufferers struggling to confront these urges,  trying to stop them from ruining their lives, breaking up their relationships and families, losing their jobs or even landing up in gaol. The films will also hear from experts studying ICD, who are beginning to identify the specific parts of the brain that control impulse.  These developments could have a dramatic impact on all of us and our understanding of the urges that drive us.  

Me and my Mania (wt) is commissioned by Channel 4 Features Commissioning Editor, Kate Teckman. The series will be made by CB Films with executive producer Christian Holland.

Production Information:
Executive Producer: Peter Grimsdale
Director: Malcolm Neaum
Production Company: CB Films
Commissioning Editor, Features: Kate Teckman