‘My Naked Secret’ brings viewers more medical reality television

Last week we told you about a British series called “Embarrassing Bodies,” in which people sought help from physicians for embarrassing medical conditions such as hemorrhoids and sagging breasts.

We wondered whether a program like that would ever find a home in the U.S., considering its frank and graphic depiction of female breasts and genitalia, as well as actual surgeries.

Our question has been answered. Premiering tonight on Discovery Fit & Health is “My Naked Secret,” which takes viewers into the lives of people who are hiding (or trying to hide) a health condition. From the producers of “Embarrassing Bodies” and created by Discovery Networks International’s production and development team, this show is a bit different -- each episode focuses on one person instead of several, and in addition to seeking out medical help for their issue, they get help from a psychotherapist as well.

Included in the series are features on a woman with excess skin following weight loss; a man with a scalp condition that causes bald patches, swelling and scarring; a woman with asymmetrical breasts; and a woman with eczema that nearly covers her entire body. All subjects are from Britain, and the show is also airing in various parts of the world (Poland got it first). The U.S. version won’t be that graphic.

“A lot of what these people share is that they think they’re alone,” said Jon Sechrist, executive producer and head of development and production for TLC International. “They’re often not active in life or engaging with people.” He hopes the show will convince those with similar conditions there may be help for them. “A lot of people have issues,” he said, “and someone watching the show may think, if they can get help, I can.”

Airing tonight is an episode about a middle-age woman named Colette whose naked secret isn’t really a secret -- it’s a fairly large vascular malformation (a blood vessel abnormality since birth) on her face that she attempts to disguise with makeup. What she has kept hidden is how hard it’s been to cope with this obvious facial mark, something revealed in conversations with therapist Anjula Mutanda and Colette’s family.

“She’s always had a smile on her face, and her family and friends never realized how much this really bothered her,” Sechrist said. “She didn’t want them to think mom was depressed.”

Colette sought treatment for her birthmark years ago but was told nothing could be done. Will she be helped this time? Sorry, we’re not spoiling it for you. You’ll have to watch.

Sechrist said while there may be a voyeuristic aspect to the show, it’s not really about the startling sight of someone’s eczema-ravaged skin. “There are a lot of emotions at play,” he said, “whether it’s the person dealing with the issue or their family members. You may start out watching a shocking image, but then you realize this is a human being, and this could be my neighbor -- or me.”