In the early 1950's, here in the states, our family doctor began a serious study of "psychosomatic medicine," as he called it. No quack he, the theory was that a lot of illnesses and complaints are the result of anxiety, nervous disorders, phobias and the like. Sufferers often manifest with physical symptoms which are very real and, sometimes, painful. Treat the underlying issues, and you treat the symptoms as well.

My mother was a subject at one point, during a time in which our family suffered some profound business reverses and she was under a lot of stress. Severe ulcers were the result in her case.

Now, of course, few question that such connections exist. In the case of Ms. Mitchell, it's hard to say whether this applies, without knowing her. But, whatever her issues, she sounds like a bitter person with more than a trace of resentment at the fact that Mr. Zimmerman is still getting applause and she isn't.