Tag Archives: mental illness
Manic Depression is a Frustrating Mess
In a pop culture that absolves all sorts of bad behavior with a trip to the Betty Ford Clinic and a weepy Oprah appearance, Charlie Sheen is a breath of fresh air. At least that’s the generous way of looking at it. Here’s Brendan O’Neill quoted by Nick Gillespie in Reason:
“…Sheen is rebelling against the super-conformist modern narrative of weak individuals who need to be saved by psycho-priests.”
Or maybe he really is mentally ill. That seems to be the attraction to the major networks. Step right up and see the Crazy Man! They’ve broken the final TV taboo – exploiting the sick.
Stay tuned for the next reality show, Celebrity Pustules. Sick.
Mad Men
President Obama acknowledged, at last night’s memorial pep rally, that accused Arizona murderer Jared Loughner wasn’t motivated by uncivil discourse . It was madness. It turns out that authorities were aware of Laughner’s problems in 2007. He was kicked out of college and told not to return without a psychiatric evaluation.
David Ignatius writes that the country is full of unmedicated mentally ill.
E. Fuller Torry says, in the WSJ, “These tragedies are the inevitable outcome of five decades of failed mental-health policies.” He estimates there are 21,000 untreated schizophrenics in Arizona alone, 10% of whom become violent.
Hard to see how more civil discourse will solve the problem.
