Tom Cruises' take on Psychiatry

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2005

I agree that TC is showing some s/s of some stress illness, narcisism, etc. Since his whirlwind "publicity" tours he has, bounced all over Oprah's couches, acted a fool on Leno, lectured then scolded then has arrested a young man who basically played a little boy prank on him. Which i might add he had been acting like a little boy over the last few weeks himself as he announced he was "in love". Now he sits on Today show acting as if he is the most wise knowing person and everyone with the expertise in medicine is a fly by night horse doctor and they dont know what they are doing.

I think Katie has gotten herself into a publicity stunt beyond what she ever thought it would be. She needs to run for the hills and hide this one out. I think he needs to get himself some therapy, maybe a few meds, get his personality disorder under control.

I'm not sure whos brainstorm this publicity tour was but he needs to fire them and get his life under control again.

Im not even going to say i dont believe SOME meds arent overprescribed, and that I dont know first hand that teachers want cookie cutter kids and the drugs help them achieve that. Its not right, but not his business either. It's between the doctor and patient of which he is neither.

Katydidit34 · Jun 27, 2005

Tessa4RN:What I'm saying is that people today don't try to take an active role in their mental health. You can rid yourself of the viscious cycle of mental disease.

Although I believe wholeheartedly that the American diet is a MAJOR contributor to many diseases, along with other factors such as stress, and lack of exercise, I think it's irresponsible to make THIS assertion. Genes responsible for some mental illnesses have been identified. I am quite certain that a good diet doesn't have the power to alter DNA. My grandmother was a schizophrenic and a diabetic. She was required to eat healthfully, which she did. Her healthy eating did'nt manage to keep her from having psychotic episodes. And, I'm guessing that my cousin who suffered from bipolar disorder was successful at stoping the vicsious cylce of his illness by committing suicide. Maybe if he'd just laid off of the fries and taken a more acitve role in his mental health he still be with us today. He was sick and couldn't help himself. I'm not trying to be nasty here, I'm just trying to make a point. Any time any of us make a bold assertion, we had better be able to back it up with sound facts.

HillaryC, RN, CRNA · Jun 27, 2005

Although I believe wholeheartedly that the American diet is a MAJOR contributor to many diseases, along with other factors such as stress, and lack of exercise, I think it's irresponsible to make THIS assertion. Genes responsible for some mental illnesses have been identified. I am quite certain that a good diet doesn't have the power to alter DNA. My grandmother was a schizophrenic and a diabetic. She was required to eat healthfully, which she did. Her healthy eating did'nt manage to keep her from having psychotic episodes. And, I'm guessing that maybe it's possible that my cousin who suffered from bipolar disorder wouldn't have committed suicide if he had just laid off of the fries and taken a more acitve role in his mental health. He was sick and couldn't help himself. I'm not trying to be nasty here, I'm just trying to make a point. Any time any of us make a bold assertion, we had better be able to back it up with sound facts.

:yeahthat:

talaxandra · Jun 27, 2005

Tessa, I agree with you that 1) we live in a society which expects quick fixes (often in the form of a pill), 2) people seem to think that taking pills can reverse/undo/compensate for an otherwise unhealthy lifestyle, and 3) mood can be influenced by a number of things, including what we eat and drink, whether or not we exercise, how much and how well we sleep, and our outlook.

That said, there's a significant difference between people who feel flat, a little blue, mentally sluggish etc and people with significant mental illnesses.

I think the idea that people with significant mental illnesses do not need medication is dangerous. While I think this because of the effects of the individual who decides (as a result of hearing this opinion) to stop taking medication, I'm more concerned about the meta-effects of this attitude.

The flip side of the idea that people can be cured of significant illnesses (of any kind) through exercise and dietary change is that people who either don't get better, or who are on medication, are weak, lazy, not trying, or enjoy a sick role. It ignores the reality of mental illness, and comes from a position of ignorance. Please note that I'm talking about this idea, not making a claim of ignorance against any individual.

I'm not saying that psychiatry is an exact science, that psychotropic medications aren't overprescribed or misused, or that there is no role for life style change. But right now, psych meds are literally the only thing holding some people together.

Pvt. Parts · Jun 27, 2005

Tessa,

Until I turned 22, I had an extremely unhealthy diet. Fast food multiple times a week, enormous amounts of sugar, etc.

The only thing I got was a few extra pounds :chuckle. No schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression, however.

How would your nutritionist friend explain that one?

Okay, here is my reply.....I don't fully agree with TC making his opinion public, but ML forced him to give his views on mental illness, so that is what we all got. Anyway, I am doing volunteer work for a family right now, and I have the pleasure of visiting with one of the family members. This family member I visit with is working towards her Doctorate in nutrition. She is VERY well schooled in the knowledge of nutrition. She offers me information that is very helpful in my understanding of illness,depression and overall health. I just finished reading a book by Dr Null, entitled "Food, Mood, Body Connection" It explains the symptoms that people have based upon the foods that they eat. This author also denounces psychiatric drugs as well. So TC is not alone. It got me thinking about how everyone just wants a simple fix to their mental illness while they continue to eat fast food, drink Starbucks daily and surround themselves in stressful situations daily......it all seems to make sense to me and I'm not a scientologist or aspire to be one. What I'm saying is that people today don't try to take an active role in their mental health. You can rid yourself of the viscious cycle of mental disease. I beleive that. Just try for one day ....monitor what you eat and how it makes you feel. Most people are overweight, do not get exercise, never eat the daily nutritional fruits and vegatables.....they expect that because they are sick on carbs,sugar,caffeine, stress...that this is all normal.....they can simple take a drug and it will all go away. People really need to start looking at their diets....and not quick fad diets but nutritioanl ones to help control their diseases and mental illness. That is my opinion and I'm standing by it.

Haunted · Jun 27, 2005

I didn't see the interview. Celebs have as much right as anyone to express their opinions, however they certainly have a much wider audience to same. It would be a shame if anyone failed to get needed psychiatric care due to the addition of any more stigma than already surrounds it. I'm going to try and credit the public with more brains than that, but one never knows.
(On a side note: I will ask everyone that this not turn into a "bash Scientology" thread, regardless of anyone's opinion of it. One such thread with the same topic already had to be locked. Please try and keep discussion pertinent to the topic of psych nursing. Thanks in advance.)

I am not here to "bash" Scientology Nurse Ratched. I have some personal experience with this cult and I believe that Tom Cruise's remarks are indicitive of Scientology's views of the medical profession in general. I am alarmed when public figures such as Cruise, and John Travolta exholt non medical intervention as an alternative. I feel that it is foolish and irresponsible.

I can tell you that during my experience of becoming "clear" by Scientologists it was widely expressed that drugs were evil and medical professionals were put on this earth to prevent Scientologists from achieving their collective goals, to elevate themselves above "commoners" or non Scientologists. I knew instinctively that this concept was a bit off kilter, especially in light of the teachings from a failed science fiction writer who himself had a limited educational background, and it took several years to remove myself from Scientology's grasp.

I believe it is important to remain outspoken and vocal in defending my profession and supportive of those that need medication or therapy.

live4today, RN · Jun 27, 2005

Hi Tessa :)

I lot of what you shared with us is true -- regarding the nutritional aspect of human beings, especially the diet many human beings digest today. We live in a very techno, microwave (want it yesterday) society because of all the advances in how we are able to live today. We do not have to be as physical or use our minds as much as we used to before the techno generation of availability because we have many conveniences in use of appliances, automobiles, remote controls, elevators, escalators, computers, fast foods, frozen t.v. dinners, and other frozen menus to choose from that lack the rich naturally grown vitamins that fresh food/veggies may offer us. "Techno Time" (if you will) has us all fooled to believe that we can take a pill and/or eat foods that lack carbs, sugar, blah-blah-blah in order to get what we want "quickly" or in less time that it would take for us to "move the body" and "feed the body and the mind with more healthchoice foods. For your average "joe and jane doe" that has all their senses intact mentally, emotionally, chemically, and physically this type of "straight-talk" is good for us to hear.

The problem is not every human being is born with all their DNA intact, or their mental make-up intact. These individuals have received help through psychiatric healthcare that includes the medications they are prescribed for their specific condition. They cannot help the way they are because they are not responsible for the genetic or chemical or dna makeup they've been put together with. This is the psyche group of people that TC has no personal experience with.

With Hubbard....it wasn't uncommon for children and adults to be misdiagnosed years ago when it came to mental illness -- and in many cases, with various physical illnesses. I'm sure many of you have read or heard about or personally experienced an adult or child who was confined (may still be confined today) in mental institutions because no one knew what was wrong with them...why they behaved the way they did. Doctors told them there was "no cure" for their child. I have two adult cousins who have been institutionalized since they were school aged children for reasons such as this. Those boys -- now senior aged adults with the mentality of little boys -- have lived in "mental hell" all of their lives. Many children -- now adults -- were LOST in that type of hellish system. Now, today we have a LOT more knowledge into cases such as this and doctors are learning more and more all the time how to help those adults who had their mental illness misdiagnosed so long ago. Thank God for the advanced treatments available!

In many cases, children today are misdiagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Diet may play a huge part in their behavior, so it isn't wrong to tell a parent to scratch their current diet, and add foods back into their diet. It's a process of elimination to find the foods that may trigger hyperactive behavior in children...and yes, in some adults who somehow escaped the system who are now presenting with ADD/ADHD symptoms.

However....there are people like me who go through "situational crisis" that may be temporary situations for us to be in that require two forms of help: therapy and antidepressants. Every nurse knows that antidepressants do NOT cure emotional problems, but we do know while treatment is underway, it may keep at bay an individual's desire to harm themselves, or to do other hurtful things to escape the pain.

The problem with mental health -- STILL today -- is we can't put our finger on it like doctors can put their finger on a physical illness. We just cannot ignore the signs and symptoms that our mental health population present with, and send them out into the world with no help...thus...the mental health meds. It's not a cure, but it certainly calms them as they progress through therapy, or it causes chemical changes in their brain matter that allows them the chance at a better mental life.

We can discuss this situation until the cows come home, and still never see it all as it unfolds in the world of mental health. There's always a new case discovered that wasn't touched on before.

TC and everyone else has their own personal opinions on this subject, but not one of us -- including TC -- can bet their life on the fact that antidepressants or other mental health meds do not help people live a more balanced life mentally and emotionally.

Does TC drink alcohol? Does anyone know that? I thought I saw him guzzling beers and soda in years passed. Does he place himself in the company of "second hand smoke"? Does he drink caffeinated beverages? Does he practice unsafe sex? (we all know that answer) :uhoh3: Well then...Tom Cruise has no right to point his finger at someone and rip them apart for ingesting any drug that calms them down and makes them seek treatment for themselves. He's as filled with "poisonous chemicals" as the rest of us.

I rest my case...for now anyway. :specs:

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jun 27, 2005

Self-entitlement is an ugly trait, Mr. Cruise.

TTM01 · Jun 28, 2005

Well quite possibly you had no reactions to your unhealthy eating habits....but what I'm saying is that some people are predisposed to react to certain foods. Maybe you were the chosen one and nothing happened to you. But what I'm saying is that there are alot of people who can alter their mental states and moods by just changing their diet and adding exercise...something most people do not even consider. Trust me the individual I know, knows a whole lot more than you or I know.....I hope you can open your mind to new information instead of everything that is being presented to us as far as prescription drugs.

Besides, of course anyone who has a depressed family member or bipolar,schizo in their family is only following in the patterns of behavior, not genetic makeup.

Thanks for letting ME express my opinion.

Tessa:rolleyes:

Tessa,
Until I turned 22, I had an extremely unhealthy diet. Fast food multiple times a week, enormous amounts of sugar, etc.
The only thing I got was a few extra pounds :chuckle. No schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression, however.
How would your nutritionist friend explain that one?

HillaryC, RN, CRNA · Jun 28, 2005

Besides, of course anyone who has a depressed family member or bipolar,schizo in their family is only following in the patterns of behavior, not genetic makeup.
Thanks for letting ME express my opinion.
Tessa:rolleyes:

How does that explain adoption studies of family members raised apart?

LydiaNN · Jun 28, 2005

Depression is a clinical disorder, not a learned behavior.

Pvt. Parts · Jun 28, 2005

Check this out:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/06/27/cruise.psychiatrists.reut/index.html

Tessa,

I simply have a hard time believing a nutritionist knows more about the roots of mental illness than psychiatrists.