Thought you might want to see this brief story from CNN.com about the American Psychiatric Association’s response to Tom Cruise’s mission of late to completely derail the treatment of people with mental illnesses.
Link: CNN.com – Psychiatrists: Cruise comments ‘irresponsible’ – Jun 27, 2005.
Katherine Stone is the creator of Postpartum Progress. She is a survivor of postpartum anxiety & OCD. Follow her on Twitter at @postpartumprog or on Instagram at @katherine_stone.
Katherine Stone is the creator of Postpartum Progress. She is a survivor of postpartum anxiety & OCD. Follow her on Twitter at @postpartumprog or on Instagram at @katherine_stone.
I liked CNN's description of his appearance on Oprah – "manic, couch-hopping." Perhaps he needs some lithium?? =)
Tom Cruise's comments have made me so angry! Let's not forget that his "talent" is memorizing words that other people have written and then using those words to pretend that he is someone else — and that is it! Even his blather about Scientology sounds like he is repeating other people's words and ideas. Clearly, any time this guy tries to speak without a script — like he did on the Today show and Oprah — he comes across as the self absorbed, know-it-all, odd-ball, that he really is. Anything that this man says that is unscripted isn't worth hearing. I pitty his current squeeze if she finds herself pregnant and has to struggle with post-partum depression. In fact, if all she has to deal with such a problem is vitamins and exercise, I would seriously recommend that she either be under 24 hour watch and/or that someone take her child away from her until she is completely better — because she and that child may be at great risk of being harmed.
I know I am preaching to the choir, but as someone who has been through post-partum depression — I take it very seriously. Because I tried to "get through it" without medications, despite my doctor's recommendations, the first 3 months of my son's life were the worst days of my life — just getting out of bed was a struggle. Most days I didn't even get dressed until minutes before my husband arrived home from work. I thought about killing myself and killing my baby. Antidepressents made a dramatic difference in my life and I would urge any women suffering from post-partum depression to consider them for the welfare of herself and her child.
I had a breast cancer support group picnic tonight. I shared with two other women that although I am a breast cancer survivor, I still feel that my postpartum days were worse than having had cancer. To my surprise, a woman who is now a grandmother agreed with me! That speaks volumes to where we still find ourselves in this cause – and as such we have a huge challenge ahead to speak up for society's right to adequate postpartum medical care. If as medical consumers we sit back and accept the minimal attention and care – that's just what we'll get. However, if we demand the very best and band together to get it – we'll see true postpartum progress sooner than later.
Let's hope it is sooner!
My dream is to see the same type of medical care and societal support in the postpartum area that women with breast cancer receive automatically as a result are guaranteed receiving when breast cancer knocks at their door. I am very blessed and thankful that I can consider myself a breast cancer survivor.
Post Script: I wish more women could say that they are PPD and Psychosis Survivors.