Dr. Phil is an American talk show which follows on the success of Dr. Phil McGraw whose stints on The Oprah Winfrey Show turned out to be such a success, Oprah Winfrey helped him to create his own show. On the show, numerous people, families, and couples sit down to talk with the qualified psychologist, who then gives them advice on how to tackle their 'stuff'. Some of the issues which arise are relatively benign. However, there are situations discussed on the show which are particularly heartbreaking. These are just 10 of them:
Star's fall from glory
It was heart-breaking to see Shelley Duvall on the Dr. Phil Show, considering her fall from fame and glory. She arrived on the show with many delusions which she openly expressed, breaking firm fans' hearts in the process. The reclusive actress has been in a lot of mental distress following her glory days on The Shining.
On the show, she spoke about how she believed Robin Williams was not dead but was actually 'shapeshifting'. This was one of many delusions she expressed. It appears she was on the show as a plea for help.
Dad of a killer
It's always heartrending to watch the parents of a murderer or convicted criminal express their heartache over their daughter or son. This is why it was so hard for viewers to watch the episode of Dr. Phil featuring the father of Austin Harrouff, dubbed 'The Cannibal Killer'.
He expressed his grief and said he still couldn't believe his son was guilty - considering he was the 'kindest' and 'most caring kid' he had ever known. The hearts of many parents were touched in the interview.
KKK-affected son speaks up
A man named Peyton spoke on to Dr. Phil about how his father, a member of the KKK, tore his life and family apart with his racist, violent behavior.
This dad spent as many as nine years in prison for absurd crimes related to the KKK. Among these crimes were manufacturing bombs to blow up a clinic and race-related infringements. The most tragic part of the show was hearing the grandfather's neglect of Peyton's son.
JonBenet's brother shares memories
Who can forget the tragic news of beauty princess JonBenet Ramsey's murder? The little pageant star's body was found in her parent's home and the mystery of her murder hasn't yet been solved.
Dr. Phil fans probably watched with a lump in their throats while JonBenet's brother Burke recalled the terrible incident, including details of his mother's frantic search for her daughter and expressed grief on discovering her body. While viewers criticized Burke of behaving inappropriately as he related the news, it still had to be one of the saddest episodes yet.
Like mother, like daughter
People assume that all moms believe their sons or daughters are just the most beautiful things, however, this isn't always the case, as demonstrated in an episode of Dr. Phil when mom Marianne confessed to wanting to change her daughter's looks. This heartrending interview saw mom Miranda admitting she had encouraged her daughter to look like an exotic dancer and get chest implants and even tattoos. The mom had even gone so far as to explain to her daughter that this was what men wanted. Sad but true.
A child in trouble
Which parent wouldn't have their heartstrings tugged watching a child in trouble, like 12-year-old Aneska who was on the show because she was 'out of control'. For most moms and dads, being out of control would translate to throwing tantrums and perhaps lying or stealing from the shop. For Aneska, 'out of control' meant setting fire to things and choking her siblings. This was a deeply troubling interview, especially when Aneska confided voices inside of her head were telling her to do what she was doing.
In love with heroin
In this interview, Niki, a heroin addict, shared how she had been chastised by her family. This heart-breaking account of what drugs can do to a family also showed how Niki had dabbled in prostitution to support her habit. She also openly admitted that she put heroin above her own baby. This shocking case no doubt angered and upset viewers and drove home the heartrending reality of drug addicts and their families.
A life affected by addiction
Actor Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, appeared on Dr. Phil for his battles with depression and addiction hoping to find some relief for his condition and publically show the pitfalls of addictive substances. Dr. Phil's probing on the show left him more and more defensive, which was both heartbreaking and awkward to watch. It was especially sad to see what depression and addiction, and his years battling with these had done to his appearance.
'Sugar baby' duo shocks viewers
It's always sad to witness people going astray in their morals and ethics. Even sadder still is when parents influence their children to pursue the wrong goals. But what happens when a daughter influences her mother to resort to heinous, ungodly behavior. This shocking reality was explored in an interview of Dr. Phil's with Rylee, who befriends older men for money - who has taught her mother to be a 'sugar baby' like she is. Their mother-daughter account made for a heartrending episode which made viewers squirm in their seats.
Heartbroken Nick Gordon speaks out
One of the saddest moments on the show was the breaking down of Nick Gordon, the boyfriend of Bobbi Kristina Brown who was killed in 2012. Brown was the daughter of the late Whitney Houston. The heartbroken, traumatized Gordon told Dr. Phil and the audience that he didn't care about anything anymore and arrived under the influence of alcohol to give his interview on live television. It was terrible to see the sadness and brokenness in the young man.