bexter

Believe me this is not a thread to further add to the stupid medium attention surrounding the "star" but to talk about his "opinions" concerning the use of anti-depressants for depression.

While I agree that there is often abuse of such substances, I have a problem with Mr. Cruise saying that such medications should not be used EVER.

Mr. Cruise claims to have read the research and understands the science behind all of these medications, all while harassing interviewer Matt Lauer, claiming that he just doesn't udnerstand.

I have a real problem with Cruise claiming to be some self appointed expert concerning the use of such drugs. Has he ever had to battle this disease, yes disease recognized by the American Medical association? I would think that he mostly likely has not given the fact that he claims that diet and excersise can cure it all. Well I disagree and I feel that he is doing those of us that have had mental health problems, like myself, a real disservice by seemingly placing blame back on us, like we could just stop ourselves from being depressed if we tried harder.

Thanks Tom! Because I haven't had to fight against the taboo that surrounds depression enough already, you have to go out there and make it seem like it's my fault rather than a disease that requires medication, like asthma or diabetes.

Post opinions if you like...

Beck

ceilirose

I saw the interview and he came off as arrogant and really out of touch. I have members of my family that are on anti-depressants and mood stabilizers and the difference is night and day. What they're feeling isn't in their head but it's very real and the medications help.

I've read that he let go his long time publicist and now his sister is doing the job. For his sake he may need to get a professional back to do the job. He made a comment about knowing the history of psychiatry. My guess is that he read what the Scientologists said about the subject and that's where he's coming from.

Finally you have to hope that someone out there who suffers from depression, schizophrenia, bi-polar condition or other condition and is reluctant to take their meds for whatever reason doesn't listen to him and think it's ok. There's nothing wrong with taking better care of yourself, taking vitamins and exercising but it's not going to solve those serious conditions. He shouldn't try to come across as an expert because he's just looks foolish.

However I'm not a fan and never have been so maybe it would be interesting to hear from someone who is and if this has changed their mind about him.

- Jen -

I havent seen the video, only a transcript, which was bad enough. He is such an arrogant man, He has an opinion, which is fine, but to just shoot down someone else's opinion, and blankly state that he is right and they are wrong

While anti depressants might not work for him, they work for tons of other poeple, including myself, and to just completely disregard their validity is disgusting. I just hope his comments havnt affected people who do actually need to be on medication.. I would really like to see what "research papers" he has read, why do i get the feeling, they are all papers put out by Ron Hubbard ?

TheAngel

I think some drugs are abused, not just by patients but by doctors as well. When I was young I had doctors attempt to put me on ADD medication when I didn't have ADD. I also think that some people are using depression and other key psychiatric words as excuses. If something bad happens in your life and you're upset about it, it doesn't mean you need a drug, however, I have no doubt in my mind that certain people have depression due to chemical imbalances in their brain. It's been proven that certain hormones are produced differently in brains that present depression, schizophrenia, and other psychological disorders. My parents both hold master's degrees in the field of mental health and psychiatry and have seen people that are faking, but have also seen people with real problems.
It is obvious that Mr. Cruise is allowing his "religious" beliefs to interfere with his sense of reason and logic.

-Kelly-

I don't really wanna say what I really think of him

TokyoNiGHTS

All I can say is, poor Katie.

*Lauren

Don't worry about Katie, she's getting enough money for their "relationship"

I'm on anti-depressants now. Before I started taking them, all I could think of was death, how I could die and my funeral. I was an utter bitch to my family and miserable all the time. I finally went to my doctor and started taking them. The difference is amazing. I feel NORMAL again. While I still have ups and downs (this week being particully bad, having just lost my job) I want to be happy and lead a normal life and if I need some help to do that well I'm damn well getting that help.

His criticism of Brooke Shields is disgusting. He has NO IDEA what she went through, and I think she is extreemly courageous to come out and speak about what she went through and how she felt. She's also someone who saw first hand what happens when some depressed people stop taking the medications, they kill themselves.

Then again, Tom has a point with them not working. Because we all remember how well Andrea Yates did without medication don't we......

TokyoNiGHTS

I hope so, because the guy is seriously killing her career. She's already apparently been dropped from the Batman Returns sequel because the producer doesn't want to put up with the "TomKat" stuff anymore.

He says he wants to get more people into Scientology...Here's a hint, acting like a loon isn't going to accomplish that.

-Kelly-

I agree with you both it's brainwashing too

In Fair Verona

LilAbdullah

Is it just me? because Tom seems too be running his mouth-off lately about anything no-matter how serious

Everyday I like him less and less... he's acting like a child! It's sad.

Mio

Hold the phone. Didn't he get medicine treatment for his dyslexia way back when? Since when he he have a pedistal to preach from?

UnsilentMajorty

Tom Cruise is out of control.

His arrogant attitude on the Today show really turned a lot of people off... And only further damaged both his and Katie's "relationship" as well as furthered the rumors of him brainwashing her (Katie) with Scientology -- Which, I have stated on the Tom and Kaite threads on the KH board is listed as a cult on the FBI's Watch List and was also almost banned by the State of California in the '60s because people were apparently being killed who wanted out. Take that as you may... But you add all these things together and TC is looking less and less like a professional actor and more and more like a middle-aged psychotic going through a mid-life crisis.

If any star has a right to speak on this subject it would be not only Brooke Shields, but also Marcia Cross ("Desperate Housewives") because she actually has her PhD in Clinical Psychology and is licenced by the state of California to practice -- She got her degree between when Mel Rose Place went off and she was cast in Desperate Housewives (five, six year break).

I would at least consider what she said not because she is a Hollywood star... But she has the relevant background training in the subject to make a case either way... Whereas Tom Cruise is just talking out his a** to try and recruit others into Scientology, more or less...

Which is really funny in this Evangelical Christian climate because Evangeilca Christians are potential movie goers and have the power to financially boycott his films and get others to do the same by the thousands. It will be really interesting watching how these two camps deal with one another considering neither one (Evangelical Christians; Scientologists) likes the other

JW77

He's an actor, not a doctor, so I don't think what he says is going to matter to most people. Some may be affected by it, but hopefully it won't cause any serious problems.

Deep down, I think he only wants to help people. And there's nothing wrong with that. Telling them that their problems don't exist probably isn't the best way to go about that though. I think he needs to be willing to accept the fact that he doesn't know everything. And instead of constantly talking and assuming that he's right, maybe he can try to listen to what other people have to say every now and then. It might do him some good.

None of this changes my opinion of him as an actor though. I'm still going to watch his movies if I think they look good.

ceilirose

One of the symptoms of certain types of mental illness is paranoia. So if someone listens to him and thinks their families/doctors are all plotting against them then Cruise's comments could cause some danger. If something like that happened with either the patient harming himself or others then it's lawsuit time.


It's his style. I've found that when people insist that their way is the only right way it's more a case of an oversized ego than wanting to help someone.

I know that Holmes' family have said publically they're happy but if I were her mother, older sister, aunt or next door neighbor I'd be wanting a private heart to heart conversation with her real soon.