The hit reality series "So You Think You Can Dance," airing on Fox, has a long-standing tradition of dealing with painful topics through dance. For example, season 5 brought an extremely well-received routine by Mia Michaels expressing the pain and heartache of addiction, and choreographer Tyce Diorio's very personal breast cancer dance, dedicated to a friend who was struggling with the disease.

Now in Season 6, the show continues to bring personal struggles into the limelight. On Tuesday, choreographer Stacey Tookey took on phobias in a routine that is almost certain to become a legend. B-boy Jonathan "Legacy" Perez showed amazing strength and power as the phobia, while contemporary dancer Kathryn McCormick brought honesty to her struggle and, in the end, was able to conquer the fear.

I was highly impressed with the entire number, from the choice of song ("2 Steps Away" by Patti LaBelle) to the choreography, which involved an elaborate back and forth as the pair struggled to gain control, to the dancers who brought the fight to life. Although obviously a choreographed routine rather than a genuine personal reaction, I found the dance a welcome relief after the debacle that was last week's Amazing Race.

Did you see the routine? If you suffer from phobias, did you feel that your battle was accurately portrayed? How do you feel about phobias being the topic of a reality show dance routine, and do you believe that this exposure will help raise the sensitivity level of the general public? Your thoughts are welcome!

After my blog last week on the possible dangers of airing one's phobias on reality TV, I found it both fascinating and ironic that the dual phobias of heights and water cost a pair of reality show participants the chance at a million dollars.

On CBS' The Amazing Race, teams of two race around the world. Those who arrive last at the Pit Stop for each leg (except for non-elimination legs and certain extenuating circumstances) are eliminated. The first team to the Finish Line wins one million dollars.

Last night, dating couple Mika and Canaan were significantly ahead of last-place Harlem Globetrotters Flight Time and Big Easy at the last task. All the dating couple needed to do was complete a water slide, grab a clue from a clue box and make their way to the Pit Stop. Having run an unusually poor leg, the Globetrotters were still en route to the water slide when Mika and Canaan arrived.

Unfortunately, Mika suffers from self-proclaimed phobias of both heights and water. She simply could not force herself to go down the slide. Partner Canaan tried methods ranging from gentle encouragement to brute strength, yet Mika did not budge. She became more and more hysterical, proclaiming that "I hate my life!" Canaan was no better, telling her that "You're breaking my heart."

The show did not inform viewers exactly how long Mika and Canaan were at the slide before Flight Time and Big Easy arrived. However, a long-standing Amazing Race rule states that for tasks that can only be performed by one team at a time, once another team arrives, the leading team has two minutes to complete the task. If they fail, they must step aside and give the trailing team the opportunity to try.

The Globetrotters, seeing the opportunity to overtake another team and save themselves from elimination, reminded Mika that she did not, in fact, have to go down the slide. They encouraged her to do what she felt comfortable with. Meanwhile, the two minute clock expired, and Mika and Canaan had to step aside. Canaan referred to Globetrotter Big Easy as "a piece of crap" for psyching Mika out, despite the fact that he had been trying desperately to manipulate her into completing the task.

The Globetrotters completed the water slide without a second thought, grabbed their clue and ran to the Pit Stop. Canaan slid down behind them and Mika opted out, taking the stairs down and joining Canaan for elimination.

The fact that with a million dollars on the line, Mika simply could not complete the water slide challenge demonstrates just how pervasive and paralyzing phobias can be. Nonetheless, it begs the question: Why would she have signed up for The Amazing Race in the first place? Now in its 15th season, the show has consistently featured tasks involving great heights, water/swimming, or both. Did she sign up for a game show without ever watching an episode?

One of the essential elements for a phobia diagnosis is that the fear must significantly impact the sufferer's life. Knowing only the televised, heavily edited version of Mika, I can't begin to predict whether her fears affect her normal daily life. But as soon as she signed up for this show, it was inevitable that she would be affected.

What do you think? Did you see the episode? If you have phobias, would you sign up for a game show that was virtually guaranteed to trigger them? Is a televised competition a good place to confront your phobias? Who was in the wrong last night? Canaan, for his well-meaning but utterly useless attempts at motivation? The Globetrotters for reminding Mika that she had an out? Or since it was a race, not real life, was everybody in the right? Your thoughts are welcome!

I recently received an unusual notice in my e-mail box. Apparently a new cable show is recruiting people with phobias. The ad assures me that if I participate, I will "get PAID and receive HELP" with my phobia. I find the part about pay very interesting, as earlier in the notice it is stated that there is no pay and the project is non-union. Perhaps if America votes me the most pathetic, then I will win a cash prize? The notice states that I must have an "unusual" phobia to participate--none of this run of the mill spider phobia or social phobia stuff for them! Maybe America just has to decide that I have the most unusual phobia?

I was unable to discover the name of the show, the network, or any details whatsoever, as I was unwilling to sign up for an account with the casting agency. It's entirely possible that this is a real show offering legitimate therapy with a trained professional. Maybe everyone receives an appearance fee.

Still, I feel very uncomfortable with the entire premise of the show. As you know all too well, phobias can be embarrassing, frustrating, and devastating to your life. While it certainly wouldn't be the first "reality show" to capitalize on people's struggles, I personally draw the line at exploiting any mental health condition. I watch as much reality TV as the next person, but I tend towards shows like Survivor and The Amazing Race where, ostensibly, contestants have undergone rigorous mental health screening. A psychologist is also available to these shows' contestants (privately, off the air) whenever they need assistance. Somehow that feels a lot more ethical to me.

What do you think? Would you allow your phobia to be exploited on national television? Is the pay and free treatment worth the inevitable pain and embarrassment? Or do you believe that the show will indulge in stunt casting, hiring out of work actors who "claim" to have "outrageous" phobias? Your thoughts on the topic are welcome!

According to CNN, new research in Taiwan links Internet addiction to a range of mental health disorders including social phobia.

The study, which followed more than 2,000 students for two years beginning in seventh grade, found that approximately 10 percent were addicted to the Internet when the study began. Those who displayed Internet addiction were more likely to develop mental health problems over the next two years. Interestingly, although ADHD and hostility were found in both genders, only girls appeared to be at higher risk for depression and social phobia.

The study has drawn some criticism due its dependence on self-reporting by the students. Nonetheless, the research is being taken seriously.

Internet addiction is not currently a diagnosable disorder. However, it may be included in the 2012 revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

Lisa Says:

It is important to note the chicken-and-egg quality of this study. Although the evidence for a link between Internet addiction and mental health disorders seems sound, it is not yet clear whether Internet addiction causes disorders. Perhaps those who already suffer from certain mental health conditions are naturally drawn to the "safety" of the Internet. In any event, as the Internet becomes ever more ingrained in our daily lives, it is important to remain vigilant about its possible negative impacts.