Tom Cruises' take on Psychiatry

fergus51 · Jun 25, 2005

I wouldn't have a problem with him just saying they are sometimes overprescribed. I do have a problem with him making it seem like meds are never necessary. We have a few medicated people in my family and you do not want to see them off their meds. They wind up in the psych ward after attempting suicide or getting so manic they do physical labor for 3 days straight without sleep or food and wind up in emergency.

Hairstylingnurse · Jun 25, 2005

Well I finally just watched the interview . . .. .I have to say that I think he did have a point about ADHD drugs because I do think they are overprescribed. It seems like nowadays people have these unrealistic ideas about life, kids, etc. It is amazing to me how many young married couples are shocked that their babies don't sleep through the night. Or that toddlers are busy little people getting into things. Or that boys have a harder time sitting still than girls. And sometimes we end up listening to "some" teachers who think we need to drug our kids into sitting still. I knew a couple who took their kids on a vacation to Hawaii and ended up giving them Dimatap in order to get the kids to sleep so they could go out and party.
I'd be interested in what his research says about psychiatry.
But I still do believe that there are genetic and chemical things going on to cause mental problems. So I think he is wrong about that.
stpeh

I agree alot of meds for adhd and alot of other disorders are abused and over prescribed, but to say that no-one needs meds to be treated for such things as adhd, manic depression, schitozaphrenia,etc. I hate see all these commercials for the drugs on television constantly, but at the same time I don't think he makes any sense stating that brooke sheilds shouldn't have been treated for her post partum depression. Sorry to rant, that interview this morning really ticked me off. I know several people who can live and function very well thanks to some of those meds.:angryfire

allnurses Guide · Jun 25, 2005

I wouldn't have a problem with him just saying they are sometimes overprescribed. I do have a problem with him making it seem like meds are never necessary. We have a few medicated people in my family and you do not want to see them off their meds. They wind up in the psych ward after attempting suicide or getting so manic they do physical labor for 3 days straight without sleep or food and wind up in emergency.

The overprescribing thing was just me - my impression is as you said . . he says they are never necessary. I found it interesting that he said something about taking vitamins (pills) though . . . . :) and then adding exercise.

I do think exercise is good for mild depression and I do take vitamins.

steph

allnurses Guide · Jun 25, 2005

I agree alot of meds for adhd and alot of other disorders are abused and over prescribed, but to ssay that no-one needs meds to be treated for such things as adhd, manic depression, schitozophrenia,etc. I hate see all these commercials for the drugs on television constantly, but at the same time I don't think he makes any sense stating that brooke sheilds shouldn't have been treated for her post prtum depression. Sorry to rant, that interview this morning really ticked me off. I know several people who can live and function very well thanks to some of those meds.:angryfire

Again, the overprescribing issue was simply my belief. I do not agree with what Tom said about the not being any such thing as a chemical imbalance. . . .

steph

Teachchildren123 · Jun 25, 2005

Dear LoriRn2B you are soooo right!

I have noticed also that Tom seem to be in a manic phase with some delusions of grandeur going on!

He is way out of line. If some people who need Lithium or their antidepressant and are looking for approval ... and here comes Tom Cruise with his totally erratic manner and unfounded claim.

Yes, it could be dangerous to some specially those who would stop taking their meds or not start them. I am thinking of that mother who killed her kids(S.S.) ... you would recall the classics of post-partum depression.The guy has no concept of mental condition, the shift of hormones with pregnancy...

He certainely is not seeing his own problem: emotional dependence. He is very nervous and full of himself.

I use to like him... Besides, he had no business about talking about Brooke Shield, total lack of respect... going around and naming people. He is so angry! Sad.

Any great neurologist would tell you that the brain is a mistery, and they studied the subject all their life!

I know... he does not know he is a pseudo-person and ... he needs to SHAVE, he looks cheap. (Now, I know that my friends desagree with me but it's ok). I'll give him a kick in the...

I'm sure that the story is to follow. I will check out the link of the interview now. :smokin: :smackingf We need a face to face with Tom Cruise and and shrink on TV... next reality TV?

Teachchildren123 · Jun 25, 2005

Dear LoriRn2B you are soooo right!
I have noticed also that Tom seem to be in a manic phase with some delusions of grandeur going on!
He is way out of line. If some people who need Lithium or their antidepressant and are looking for approval ... and here comes Tom Cruise with his totally erratic manner and unfounded claim.
Yes, it could be dangerous to some specially those who would stop taking their meds or not start them. I am thinking of that mother who killed her kids(S.S.) ... you would recall the classics of post-partum depression.The guy has no concept of mental condition, the shift of hormones with pregnancy...
He certainely is not seeing his own problem: emotional dependence. He is very nervous and full of himself.
I use to like him... Besides, he had no business about talking about Brooke Shield, total lack of respect... going around and naming people. He is so angry! Sad.
Any great neurologist would tell you that the brain is a mistery, and they studied the subject all their life!
I know... he does not know he is a pseudo-person and ... he needs to SHAVE, he looks cheap. (Now, I know that my friends desagree with me but it's ok). I'll give him a kick in the...
I'm sure that the story is to follow. I will check out the link of the interview now. :smackingf We need a face to face with Tom Cruise and and shrink on TV... next reality TV?

Wow, what a blow for the psych nurses!

infullbloom1 · Jun 25, 2005

I saw the interview and was expecting to hear about a movie that the actor was paid to make. His views on psychiatry do not interest me at all. Most people in the general public are smart enough to know that he is only an actor. He's entitled to his opinion but he sure made himself look like an ass. I'll have a hard time watching his movies without thinking in the back of my mind how narcisistic he really is.

HillaryC, RN, CRNA · Jun 25, 2005

I just finished watching the Today show interview that Matt Lauer did with Tom Cruise. I'm quite simply mystified by his take on psychiatry. He claims to know more about it than just about anyone, including those with medical degrees. I'm just curious about what others think about his vocal opinion on the subject. Am I crazy or does HE need a psychiatrist?

Ugh, he makes me so mad. It's too bad, because I was kind of interested in seeing "War of the Worlds" before all this, but now I have to boycott it

Did it bother anyone else that he referred to all psychotropic meds as antipsychotics? To me, it just showed how little he understood different drug classes -- despite his insistence that he was an authority on the subject because "I've researched the history of psychiatry, you haven't". I think a lot of people would agree that there are too many kids being medicated for AD/HD. But he took it way further than that -- saying that the fields of psychiatry and psychology are a crock and all psych meds are "dangerous".

I hope most people brush him off as a nut. Mental illness is already stigmatized enough. Also, if he's so convinced vitamins and exercise can cure mental illness, why doesn't he fund some good research to study it? I'd be interested in that.

-- Hillary, who would have been dead long ago if not for SSRIs.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2005

I just know that the expert on psychiatry that I want to listen to, is a man that can't keep a marriage together and chases after cute young things and declares that he is in love after a few weeks together. Who hasn't done a really good movie in years.

NOT!!!!!!!!!!

HannasMom · Jun 25, 2005

Tom Cruise sure has grabbed the spot light lately. I'm tired of seeing his face on the news and hearing his dumb opinions. If I was his girlfriend I would run as far away from him as possible. He has total control over the poor star struck girl.

He sure has changed....

LydiaNN · Jun 25, 2005

I do so hope he will be sharing his views on diabetes, cancer and heart disease with us soon. It is so rarely we're treated to the opportunity to learn from so knowledgable a man. Maybe we can stop medicating these conditions, too. :uhoh3:

MandyInMS · Jun 25, 2005

Amen Mercy........or maybe he will open a Tom Cruise Hospital...I'd LOVE to see just how HE handles psych pts OFF their meds, real life up close and personal...now that would be an interesting show!

ps-being sarcastic..wouldn't want the pts to endure that :/