Comments on: “I’m not crazy, I’m just a little unwell” — a DSM for bloggers

By: terrim

terrim — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 09:06:28 +0000

First comment I’ve ever posted; this page is obviously a “gateway” to blogging!

I believe that in many cases (although not all), mental illness is in the eyes of the beholder, only.

I was shocked, however, to read anon’s note that there are “lawyers, doctors, politicians, even law profs” afflicted with mental illness … oh my! Wow, who’da thunk, huh???

By: annegb

annegb — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 16:38:47 +0000

This made me laugh again. Kaimi, I’m stealing your title. I don’t know, for sometime, maybe a greeting card: I’m not crazy, just a little unwell.

Oh, it’s a song??? OY. I’m too old.

I struggle with serious mental illness (you guys figure out which one)and I think this is a riot. Also totally astute.

I, too, am all of the above. Well, not bulemic.

By: FXKLM

FXKLM — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 21:25:14 +0000

I read this a couple of hours ago, and I still can’t get that damned “I’m not crazy” song out of my head. I hate that song. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the entire song. I’ve just a heard a two-second clip of it from a television commercial. If I wasn’t crazy before reading this post, I’m rapidly getting there.

By: annegb

annegb — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 18:39:31 +0000

Hell, I use blogging as my damn therapy. It’s cheaper.

By: Nate Oman

Nate Oman — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 16:57:21 +0000

“Would you make a joke like that about cancer, AIDS, or Hep. C?”

I would certainly hope so. I doubt that there are any sufferers of cancer, AIDS, or Hep. C who couldn’t do with a good laugh.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 16:32:35 +0000

No intention to offend sensitive readers, but the last two comments – while worthy arguments – also represent the death of humor by the American obsession with political correctness.

It was a joke … a well-written one, in fact. I (who am a member of the legal community, and diagnosed with one, *gasp,* or more of the illnesses) laughed loudest at my own symptoms.

This is not to argue that stigmatization is not a serious issue, or disrespect of the maladies condonable … but sometimes life is dramatically not what Hollywood portrays, and humor helps.

By: anon

anon — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 08:42:10 +0000

It’s a clever post, but insulting to those of us who struggle with mental illness (and I’m not just talking about institutionalized types, but lawyers, doctors, politicians, even law profs!). Would you make a joke like that about cancer, AIDS, or Hep. C? I didn’t think so. It’s posts like these that contribute to the stigmatization of mental illness.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 08:18:40 +0000

While I realize that you are “not a psychiatrist,” I think it should be pointed out that you are confusing the symptoms of schizophrenia with multiple personality syndrome. I understand that you most likely meant no harm by your categorization, but this type of misconception leads to stigmatization of the disease within the public consciousness. Thank you.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 03:46:53 +0000

I do think it is bizarre how thin the line can be between some DSM-able diseases and ordinary behavior (note, for example, the compulsive shopping disorder, social anxiety disorder, and others entertaining described in Critser’s Generation Rx). Does it go to show that norms of proper behavior are increasingly narrow? Or that more and more people are unhinged?

In any event, very funny post, and let’s have more Matchbox 20 inspired titles!

By: Lynn

Lynn — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 01:49:55 +0000

funny – but you forgot stalkers (otherwise regarded as consistent readers …