Common Sense Media Review
By Sierra Filucci
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Patients search for answers to vexing questions.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
Documentary-style series MYSTERY DIAGNOSIS tells the stories of families' struggles with undiagnosed illnesses. Through one-on-one interviews with patients, family members, and health professionals -- as well as home video, photos, and brief re-enactments -- tales of painful, vexing, and emotionally draining medical problems emerge. For example, one episode told the story of adopted twin Joey, who ate more vigorously than his brother, often vomited, cried and woke constantly, and eventually stopped growing. Despite many pediatrician visits, the boys' parents never received any helpful explanations for their son's mysterious symptoms. But finally, after seeing yet another pediatrician and consulting specialists, the family learns that Joey has a rare kidney problem that's affecting his body's ability to retain nutrients and also causing his excess thirst, urination, cravings for salt, and light sensitivity.
Is It Any Good?
With each story told as an unfolding mystery and accompanied by emotionally charged issues of life and death, Mystery Diagnosis is compelling -- if not original -- television. While it's rated TV-G, sensitive kids may find the threat of painful illness and/or eventual death too much to bear. (One featured patient stokes potential anxiety by asking: How many people are walking around out there with an undiagnosed illness?)
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about doctors. How are doctors typically portrayed on TV and in other media? Does that match how they're shown on this show? In general, what do you think of doctors and the health care system? What kind of expectations do you have for them? Other than doctors, who or what helps you stay healthy? What can you do to feel in control of their health?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 7, 2005
- Networks : Discovery Channel , Discovery Health Channel
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : STEM
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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