Tom Cruises' take on Psychiatry

orange-rn · Jun 28, 2005

Why don't we put Tom boy in a lock down unit PICU and see how he feels about chemical imbalances?:rotfl:

Sheri257 · Jun 28, 2005

It's not so much what he said, but the way he said it. Totally arrogant, really:

"You don't know the history of psychiatry, I do."

And scientology has more credibility than psychiatry? Give me a break.

I agree that a lot of these meds are overprescribed, and that some people can overcome depression without drugs (which I was able to do personally) ...

BUT ... the "I know it all and you don't" attitude from a scientologist celebrity was ridiculous. Especially coming from a man who's never been with a woman who's given birth.

:coollook:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2005

It's not so much what he said, but the way he said it. Totally arrogant, really:
"You don't know the history of psychiatry, I do."
And scientology has more credibility than psychiatry? Give me a break.
I agree that a lot of these meds are overprescribed, and that some people can overcome depression without drugs (which I was able to do personally) ...
BUT ... the "I know it all and you don't" attitude from a scientologist celebrity was ridiculous. Especially coming from a man who's never been with a woman who's given birth.

I agree with your post totally Total arrogance to say chemical imbalances don't exist and he knows it all.

Also agree that docs are too quick to hand out pills and we live a society where citizens expect pills for everything, including not feeling their feelings and dealing with emotions.(alcohol enters in here). (I was on an antidepressant in the 80s for a month or so and took myself off in the midst of the depression and overcame it still without drugs. But that's my story I certainly wouldn't say there isn't a place for antidepressants just because I didn't use them.)

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Jun 28, 2005

I dunno. He's looking a little wild-eyed lately. So I don't think I can watch the entire interview.

Although with the squirt-gun incident, I thought he was remarkably well-controlled. I'd have probably popped the guy in the nose, celebrity or not.

talaxandra · Jun 28, 2005

Trust me the individual I know, knows a whole lot more than you or I know.....

This is a semi-anonymous community - all we know about each other is what we chose to share. While this individual's knowledge may well be greater than yours on this subject, I would be wary about making assumptions about what other allnurses members know.

talaxandra · Jun 28, 2005

Psychiatrists condemn Cruise mental health remarks
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The American Psychiatric Association on Monday sharply criticized actor Tom Cruise for televised remarks in which he called psychiatry a "pseudo science" and disputed the value of antidepressant drugs.
"It is irresponsible for Mr. Cruise to use his movie publicity tour to promote his own ideological views and deter people with mental illness from getting the care they need," APA President Dr. Steven Sharfstein said in a statement.
During interviews promoting his latest film, "War of the Worlds," Cruise has discussed his deep skepticism of psychiatry to explain his belief in the teachings of the Church of Scientology, founded by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard.
In one such interview last Friday on NBC's "Today" show, Cruise was asked about his recent criticism of actress Brooke Shields for revealing that she had taken the antidepressant Paxil to cope with postpartum depression.
"Before I was a Scientologist, I never agreed with psychiatry," Cruise said. "And when I started studying the history of psychiatry, I understood more and more why I didn't believe in psychology. ... And I know that psychiatry is a pseudo science."
Disputing the effectiveness of antidepressants generally, Cruise said, "all it does is mask the problem." He added, "There is no such thing as a chemical imbalance."
Cruise also singled out drugs, such as Ritalin, that are used to treat children for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, calling Ritalin "a street drug."
As "Today" host Matt Lauer pressed the 42-year-old actor on his views, Cruise said, "Here's the problem. You don't know the history of psychiatry. I do."
The rebuke from the APA, which represents nearly 36,000 physicians specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, challenged Cruise's assertion that psychiatry lacks scientific merit.
"Rigorous, published, peer-reviewed research clearly demonstrates that treatment (of mental illness) works," the APA statement said. "It is unfortunate that in the face of this remarkable scientific and clinical progress that a small number of individuals and groups persist in questioning its legitimacy." http://au.news.yahoo.com/050627/11/uvqp.html

Hmm

URO-RN · Jun 28, 2005

After his behavior on the Oprah show....he needs a psych consult.

Someone w/ absolutely no backgroud in medicine, dishing out mental health advice. You guys hear what he said about Brooke Shields and her post-partum depression??? Brooke answered back.... and good for her.

Tom stick to making movies and get the most out of your looks while you still can.

URO-RN · Jun 28, 2005

Hmm

Hi Tal!

Good article.:)

BowlerRN · Jun 28, 2005

I only saw a few minutes of the Today Show this morning (as I was flippping through my 3 whole channels ) But I did see some of the interview where he talked about Ritalin and said it was more dangerous to come off of than detox for alcoholics. He also commented that all it does is make them sit still and be quiet!

I don't really know anything about Scientology, but my future brother-in-law was put on Ritalin in grade school and his parents said he was a whole other child, he did'nt act out and his grades improved dramatically! He also quit taking it after high school and went to a junior college where he failed out and had to pay back scholarship money. He now has a 6year old daughter who I think may have inherited his ADD, but she's also not had a very stable home with little discipline.

:uhoh3: I seriously wonder if Tom Cruise has any real experience with people that have improved due to psychiatric medications.

I also have a friend that was very depressed and literally only got off the couch to go to the bathroom for a couple of months he's over 6ft. tall and only wayed 120lbs! He wasn't ever eating. He is back to his normal self and able to support himself again now that he's taking an antidepressant!

TTM01 · Jun 28, 2005

Exactly, my point....they are just following patterns/environment of behaviors.

Like I said before....this is my opinion and people should open their minds to new ways of thinking. I'm looking at all my resources and I won't have someone tell me that this is the only way....I'm sticking to good old nutrition as a way of helping alleviate disease and mental diseases. Long term exposure to the wrong elements CAN have an effect....smoking, drinking, stress, wrong diet, environmental toxins, pregnant mother not taking care of herself....being exposed to these elements...all are passed down and copied by infants and children.....a simple drug will not take that away...only mask it. There needs to be a constant self improvement taken by the individuals.

Thank you for your time...but I have exhausted my time here....

I will not be responding to any other posts here...so once again thank you and I hope this has given you something to think about.

P.S. I have experiences of my own, myself and family.....we did not need drugs. It is all based upon environment and patterns of behavior. If a family has known to have a supposed depressed individual in their family and they have taken drugs to alleviate the pain...then the next and the next generation will do so as well. It needs to stop. :rolleyes:

Done!

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

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2005

After his behavior on the Oprah show....he needs a psych consult.
Someone w/ absolutely no backgroud in medicine, dishing out mental health advice. You guys hear what he said about Brooke Shields and her post-partum depression??? Brooke answered back.... and good for her.
Tom stick to making movies and get the most out of your looks while you still can.

When I saw him jumping up and down on couches on Oprah and another talk show host, I was startled. He did not appear to be a grown man. Not that I don't enjoy humor and playfulness, but jumping up and down on couches? It looked like the behavior of a 5-year-old. Then his laughing, slapping his thigh made me wonder about his behavior. But this morning he was on one of the network morning shows and his laughter seemed not real, but forced. There seemed to be a sort of meaness about it. I don't get it. Is he so smitten with his stardom that he thinks he is omnipotent?

You said "get the most out of your looks while you still can." Have you seen a really, real, closeup?" I did this morning on the news. Not flattering. Brush strokes or whatever are very enchancing, though.

But who cares about that right now. I am just very concerned about the dangers of celebrity. Arnie for example.

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 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 :/

I also would like to see how he would manage psych pts OFF their med