What Happens to Paul Rhoades in Shrinking Season 2?

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As a fan who has watched Harrison Ford’s incredible transformation into Dr. Paul Rhoades in Shrinking, I must say that his portrayal of a man battling Parkinson’s disease is nothing short of remarkable. It’s heart-wrenching yet inspiring to see him navigate through the challenges of this debilitating condition.

The second season of “Shrinking” has wrapped up, leaving fans wondering about Harrison Ford’s character Dr. Paul Rhoades in the finale. It is disclosed that Dr. Rhoades was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the season 1 finale. However, flashbacks in season 2 hint that Paul received his diagnosis much earlier than the series’ timeline, even before Tia, Jimmy’s wife, met a tragic end in a car accident.

So, here are all the details of Dr. Paul Rhoades’ medical condition in Season 2.

Dr. Paul’s disease in Shrinking Season 2 finale explained

Dr. Paul Rhoades suffers from Parkinson’s disease (PD) in Shrinking.

According to the World Health Organization, Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that significantly impacts a person’s motor skills, sleep patterns, pain sensitivity, and overall health.

I regret to inform you that we don’t have a cure for this condition at the moment. But, there are various treatment methods and therapies that can alleviate the symptoms associated with it. Some typical symptoms are:

  • Tremors
  • Painful muscle contractions
  • Speech difficulty

Treatments include:

  • Medicines (most common one is Levodopa/carbidopa, which increases dopamine; anticholinergics is another medication which for PD patients, which reduces involuntary muscle movement)
  • Surgery
  • Rehabilitation (strength training, deep brain stimulation gait and balance training, hydrotherapy)

However, availability and affordability of PD medications and surgeries, varies depending on the country. Low and middle income countries typically do not have access to all medications and resources needed to treat the disease.

Parkinson’s disease impacts not just the motor abilities but also various other functions of the body. The motor-related symptoms encompass tremors, stiffness, slowness in movements that are involuntary, trouble with walking, and issues with balance.

Instead of motor symptoms, non-cognitive issues encompass difficulties with thinking, mental health conditions, sleep problems, pain sensation, and abnormalities in the senses.

Additionally, patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease can develop dementia.

Additionally, it’s important to note that while this condition often impacts older individuals, it can occur in younger ones as well. Notably, the incidence of this disease is higher among males compared to females.

In Season 2, Paul Rhodes’ Parkinson’s disease progresses to a severe stage, and his symptoms worsen significantly by the end, making the medications he takes less effective compared to earlier periods. His neurologist, Dr. Sykes, informs him that he has reached the maximum safe dosage limit for these drugs. Consequently, Paul is left with the choice of adopting a healthier lifestyle, which involves giving up harmful habits such as excessive drinking.

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2024-12-27 18:40