Author Patricia Cornwell weighs in with her thoughts about Tom Cruise and his views on psychiatry.
Cornwell said she is worried that children who “hero-worship this actor” will stop taking their antidepressants or other medications because of Cruise’s anti-psychiatric-medication stance.
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"What he’s done is incredibly irresponsible and potentially damaging,” she says. “Something really bad is going to happen and I have to tell you I personally am outraged over that kind of irresponsible and ignorant behavior. I hate to say this, [but] I can’t watch his movies anymore."
I'm still watching his movies (well War of the Worlds lately), but I do agree that his comments are irresponsible and definitely potentially damaging. With so much stigma around mental illness, I hate seeing any criticism of things that have shown to be helpful with at least some people.
Yes his comments are asinine and could cause harm but I still watch his movies.
Looking forward to Mission impossible III.
On a book note I am reading an advance reading copy of Lisa Garnder's "Gone".
Enjoying it and want to to read some of her other books.
Mik
Posted by: Mik | December 19, 2005 at 12:26 AM
The guy is frightening and worthy of a wide berth.
I am now put off anything from him, as an actor. I have been for some months.
He has a belief, but many don't share it. He is so entrenched in it that many find it ugly.
I, for one, find his thoughts on depression and medication, post natal, or other, very lacking in understanding and empathy. But I am just an occasional poster, without an entourage that pushes a cause.
My cause is this: be real and honest to yourself. Others' views are simply just views. Cruise is no exception in spouting a philosophy attached. He may believe it, no one else has to.
And one final thing: what he says and believes, I find bloody dangerous!
Let us remove ourselves from the power of celebrity, right now! If you have an issue, then use a qualified expert to discuss it and seek resolution. Cruise and his beliefs are just that - beliefs.
The power of using the status of his celebrity is just plain frightening. His beliefs are also just plain frightening.
I sincerely hope that he finds less of a world stage to express them in the future. His thoughts are dangerous. Luckily we have clinical research to support other views. He may beg to differ,I don't.
I am so angry at his ability to spout forth on something so key to many, with so much media coverage.
What he says is just one thought on the matter. There are many others. We all need to be open to all views. Something, I think is lost on/for him.
Posted by: crimeficreader | December 19, 2005 at 10:50 PM
Tom needs help himself but I can't imagine that any kids worship him- so I don't think kids would stop taking meds because of him. Impressionable adults- maybe?
Posted by: Andrea | December 20, 2005 at 01:01 PM