The brazen shooting of a health care CEO in Manhattan, the days-long manhunt, and the arrest of an Ivy League graduate have gripped the nation with their twists and turns.
But doctors are fascinated by the revelation that the alleged killer, who seemed stable, sociable and highly intelligent to his friends, had suffered from chronic back pain before the shooting.
Experts say this would not only explain their disdain for the healthcare system and insurance companies, but they also point out that research shows a direct link between back pain and psychosis.
A major review involving nearly 200,000 people in 2016 found that those with back pain had a 2.6 times higher rate of psychosis, or loss of connection with reality, than their peers, making them more likely to withdraw from work. society and isolate themselves.
Friends say the alleged killer, Luigi Mangione, 26, suffered a lifelong back injury that was made worse by surfing and cycling. He broke contact with many of them in the months before the shooting.
Dr. Betsy Grunch, a leading spine surgeon in Atlanta, Georgia, said her patients often go through life-changing suffering and pain as a result of similar injuries.
Other experts comment on this website that lack of sleep due to pain and isolation from not being able to socialize also increase the risk of delusions.
Meanwhile, doctors noted that painkillers used to treat back pain can also have serious psychological effects.
Luigi Mangione, 26, of Maryland, is pictured above. He has been accused of shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
The above is an image from his Twitter account that appears to show several screws that have been implanted in his spine.
Back pain is a debilitating disease that affects 20.9 percent of Americans, or 51.6 million people.
Doctors also say it’s one of the most common reasons people seek medical care, and about 16 million Americans say it limits their daily activities.
Sarah Nehemiah, who met Mangione during her time living at a co-living space called Surfbreak in Hawaii, said he left the community in April 2022 due to a lifelong back injury.
Mangione was reported to have been bedridden for a week after participating in a basic surf training session in the community.
He reportedly underwent spinal surgery this year and told his friends that they had to put screws in his spine.
An image posted to his Twitter account, and shown above, appears to show an x-ray of his spine after surgery.
Many doctors (and studies) warn of links between back pain and feelings of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
But doctors also said it was possible the injury could also lead someone to psychosis, or loss of touch with reality.
Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo (Dr. Bo), a board-certified spine surgeon at the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, said it was possible for back pain to cause someone to snap.
He blamed a variety of factors, including the pain itself and the disruption to sleep, medications and the disconnection from others it would create.
But doctors are fascinated by the revelation that the alleged killer, who seemed stable to his friends, had suffered from chronic back pain before the shooting (Mangione in Pennsylvania today).
The graph above shows the percentage of adults ages 18 and older who had low back pain in the past three months. It is divided between men and women.
“Overall, back pain is very debilitating,” he said, “it’s a constant symptom and a 24/7 ordeal, and it can leave people in a heightened state.”
“Chronic back pain can also cause lack of sleep, which comes with its own problems.
‘There may be cases where patients try to take stronger medications to help with symptoms, but they may be denied by doctors or health insurance companies, and that can also cause problems.
‘There is also social isolation with severe back pain. Patients can end up having their whole life revolve around it and not being able to spend time with family and friends.’
Reports suggest that Mangione was reported missing by her mother a month before the shooting. Friends also say they had lost contact with him.
At the same time, he appears to have been an avid reader: his Goodreads account lists more than 100 books he had read.
He has also talked about ‘Unabomber’ Ted Kaczynski, who initially tried to live as a hermit in the wilderness before planting bombs that killed three Americans and injured many.
Dr Bo said it was possible that these factors had led Mangione, or others, to suffer a disconnection from reality, leading to actions that would not normally be expected.
But he stressed that many, many questions remain unanswered.