I've mentioned a few times that I'm attending law school, and this summer I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to clerk for a judge. Just yesterday, a 17 year old came before the court accused of armed robbery. His attorney put on quite a show, but more importantly, in his brief he cited amicus briefs by the AMA and the APA that were developed for a supreme court decision a few years ago.

I will paraphrase the important parts for the younger patients that may visit this forum. Please keep in mind that these are generalities, and these observations stem from "the results of psychological and biological studies, with the latter showing notable differences in brain structure".

1. Those under the age of 23 are less focused on the future, and less likely to appreciate the true costs and benefits of their actions.
2. Those under the age of 23 focus on short term benefits, and they discount future consequences more so than older adults.
3. The prefrontal cortex, which is associated with impulse control, risk assessment, and moral reasoning, is one of the last regions of the brain to develop, often between the ages of 23-25.
4. Those under the age of 23 are risk takers, and they lack the ability to perceive and weigh risks and benefits accurately.
5. Those under the age of 23 focus on "opportunities for gains", rather than "protection against losses."

- keep in mind that these are generalizations about a class, and merely because you are a member of that class does not mean that you personally share those characteristics. However, the most interesting part is that the people who do fit within the generalizations, often do not realize that they lack proper risk/benefit analysis, or that they value the present more than the future, etc. I do think it's important though to think LONG and HARD before undergoing any surgery. Also, realize that statistically speaking, if you are younger, you most likely are a "risk taker", even if you don't recognize that in yourself (keep in mind, you probably wouldn't) This is why it's so important that you thoroughly research your doctor, and do not merely seek out the one who will give you what you want now, at the expense of the future.

Anyways, I hope this was insightful and further elucidated why the truly honest doctors are so reluctant to cater to the whims of the younger patient.

Fascinating - I'm sure that's true for many.

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17 Feb 09 - 3,200 FUs by strip surgery (Dr Feller)

My Hair Loss Website

yes very nice.

Here for the young HT seekers ,they are such an inspiration

How shall the new youngster learn
Of different prefrontal cortex to discern
And how to distinguish, which is which,
When he has the hair transplant itch?

Then ,hear me, old experienced sinner
Instructing thus a young beginner.
Consult a veteran??¦ since you find
This powerful impulse to urge your mind.

I entered this land unknown
Existing 40 years??¦before you and I were born
Secretive and dark??¦
And I didn't have flash light.

People in white uniforms met me
Smiled at me, greeted me, on a chair seated me.
They promised great natural head of hair
And the price they asked was fair
And, they sold me??¦
But never told me
That
Their technicians, who most of transplant create
Did not have any medical certificate.

None so ever

So, They insert, refine, enlarge, diminish, interline
Tell me I will look more than fine
Whilst my doctor was gone most of the time.

So my newbie my dream of course fails
And now I scratch my butchered head and bite my nails.

And I appreciate the compassion of this site
That gives me and people like me, a nice wipe.

Hear me, old experienced sinner
Once like you beginner
Vanity is a whore of high cost
It charges Misery and life lost.

But you bud might have a different fate
This site was for that created.
Look around the forum??¦.all its supplies
And read stories from the so called 'repair guys'.

swim - that was brilliant. Bravo!

__________________
17 Feb 09 - 3,200 FUs by strip surgery (Dr Feller)

My Hair Loss Website

Damn, that was a true to life poem. Excellent!
TC, true dat!

__________________
My Hair Loss Website - Dr. Hasson

I certainly appreciated that poem much more than I did reading about how some cheezy lawyer tried to get his client off the hook. No reflection on you TC17. I enjoyed reading your post as well. Did the judge/jury buy it or not?

No offense taken Tom R, many attorneys that I have come in contact with have been nothing short of repugnant. However, I must defend this attorney in this case because he was doing his job. Even if the client is offensive or unpopular, the client still deserves the best representation his attorney can possibly give. No ruling has been made in this case yet, but based upon today I would say that he is going to get probation and nothing more.

More importantly for us though is that the attorney was citing what the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association gave to the US Supreme Court. This was not an attorney making scientific judgments, nor was it some crackpot doctor charging "expert" fees who would say whatever the defense wanted. While I'm sure the statements in the amicus briefs are debatable by physicians, the fact that that is the official position of those organizations is compelling.

*also, the poem was AWESOME*

The poem is ???mickey mouse???.I could pull poems like this every half an hour reflecting every topic on the forum but I might upset the moderator. Thanks though.I don't want abuse the initial idea of the thread,the poem was complementary on your own already brilliant point TC17

.

Been saying this for some time now---thanks for offering some solid proof TC!

Both you and swim are offering some excellent posts and are really fun to read.

I'll tell you my maturity took much longer than 23--some would say I have yet to mature at 32

Cheers,
Jason

__________________
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6721 transplanted grafts
13,906 hairs
Performed by Dr. Ron Shapiro

Dr. Ron Shapiro and Dr. Paul Shapiro are members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.