Tom Cruise appeared on NBC's Today Show this morning because he was in the neighborhood and has a movie coming out and is in love and stuff. He got into it a bit with host Matt Lauer - especially heated was their exchange regarding Cruise's recent criticism of that tall, depressive woman Brooke Shields and her use of psychiatry.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - wiener33
This is quintessential irony: manic mr. cruise is exhibiting his mania while adamantly arguing that there's no such thing! if he doesn't get off his high horse, his career and life will go into a tailspin. if he weren't so handsome, his behavior would be compared to wacko jacko's. is suggest tommy boy spend lots of time in some psycho wards and then tell matt lauer all the patients need is exercise and vitams! what a piss-ant! and katie holmes--omigod, she should be the runaway bride!!!!!!!!!!!!!
27 - flubby
Goesty:
You ought not to be criticizing other people's grammar as your "english" isn't so hot... upper-case and lower-case letters are usually learned in the first grade.
With that said... Tom Cruise is sending a very dangerous message.
28 - tracy mixson
Dear Mr. Cruise,
First, two things. 1). Thank you for your stigmatizing statements about psychiatry and mental illness " now maybe the world will discuss an issue that affects everyone. 2). I pray for those people who listened to your words and will avoid seeking treatment for their illness; I've known too many people who have ended up in jail, intensive care or body bags because they chose to stop (or not start) medication for what are highly treatable, biologically based illnesses of the brain. Treatment works. But only if you get it.
Second, please Tom, stick to acting, fall in love, practice any faith you want, but DON'T tell a national televised audience there's no such thing as a chemical imbalance, or that psychiatry is a pseudo science, or that drugs are just "masking the problem." You say you know the history of psychiatry. So do I. Much of it is grusome, trial-and-error treatment, as are the histories for many serious illnesses, as clinicians and researchers have worked decades to improve lives struck down by disease. Without the past, we would not have the incredible pharmaceutical options today to help people with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (also called manic depression), major depression, and severe anxiety disorders recover from what was once a bleak existence, a life with little purpose or hope.
I have bipolar disorder, as well as social phobia and complex post traumatic stress disorder. It's been a long road, but thanks to better living through chemistry, I'm now working again after countless hospitalizations and losing my career to this chronic illness. (And by the way, at one point, I chose to have ECT (electric shock treatment), which only I could authorize, and at the time did save my life.)
So Tom, thank God, or Ron L., or that little clump of trees over there, or whatever, that you have the right to worship as you see fit. You have the right to not trust psychiatry. You even have the right to talk about what you believe, even on national TV. But you cross the line when you start telling people how to live their lives and that you know better than they do.
Finally, I agree that ideally, I would not have to take psychotropic drugs. I would love to be "cured," to not have to comply or remember to take my medication daily, to have no more side effects, to no longer pay an arm and a leg for the 403 pills I swallow every month. But as of June 2005, that's not happening. Off of medication, my life can become a mixed state of wild mood swings, primarily of suicidal depression. Hey, Tom, come live in my world without meds for two weeks, and trust me, no amount of vitamins (been there, still do) and/or exercise (done that, same story) and I'll bet you'll change your tune.
Sincerely,
Tracy Mixson
Below is part of a response by the National Mental Health Association to Tom Cruise's June 24, 2005 interview with Matt Lauer:
"Tom Cruise's destructive, anti-mental health comments on the Today Show this morning -- and over the course of the last few weeks -- fuel an already intense stigma associated with mental illness that can force people with real needs to go without care.
Each year, 54 million Americans experience a mental illness, such as depression or an anxiety disorder. Yet, only one-third receive any treatment at all despite very high treatment success rates. In fact, the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health wrote in its final report, "Mental illnesses are shockingly common; they affect almost every American family." Clearly, the real crisis facing our nation is not that we over- or mistreat people, but that we fail to meet basic needs of most Americans living with mental health problems. The gap between the number of adults and children with mental health needs and those receiving treatment will certainly widen if people are dissuaded from seeking treatment because of such visible misinformation.
Cruise's comments could have very damaging consequences for American with mental health needs by increasing stigma and shame, discouraging treatment and forcing people to go without needed care. Celebrities, like Cruise, have an organic platform to share their talents and their viewpoints. However, this opportunity comes hand-in-hand with a responsibility to not mislead the American public with unfounded rhetoric."
29 - Merry
Cruise apparently is badly in need of the very meds he denigrates. There appears to be an epidemic of 'full-of-myselfitis' among the media stars of the day and he's the latest victim.
Guess what, Tommy boy - even though some folks think you got a purty face, you are NOT all that. And you are clearly none too bright.
I think it'd be mighty fine if people boycotted your stupid movie over this.
30 - Avery
Tom Cruise's claim that there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance is flat out wrong on the face of it. Why? Well, for the last few weeks, he has been enjoying one of the great chemical imbalances of all time--falling in love. Levels of serotonin, which amplify our sense of joy and intimacy, soar during this period. In time, he will come back to earth, but for many people, chemicals like serotonin are in drastically short supply. Rather than feel euphoric, as he does now, they feel despondant and, at times, suicidal. It's a shame that his talent doesn't lead him into an empathy with others, or he might be a real actor, not a movie star. But we ought to remember, to be fair, that in the interview he was presenting all Fight & Flight with Matt--an adrenelin surge, yet another kind of sudden imbalance--and one that led him out of control and into the saddest revelation of the interview: that behind the bravura and photogenic charm lies the mind of a stupid bully.
31 - Lilyblue
This is not the first time Cruise bashes psychiatry. This is an excerpt from when he was interviewed in November of 2003 for the opening of "The Last Samurai"
Excerpt follows:
KING: Do you proselytize? Do you try to get others to come into the
movement or into the...
CRUISE: Well, you know, I talk to people about it. I mean, if you know
-- if you know how to -- I've actually personally educated people and
helped them with the study technology, to help get them off, you know,
these vicious drugs that psychiatrists so -- you know, that they
proselytize, you know, that they sell to people.
KING: Yes, it's anti-psychiatric, right?
CRUISE: Oh, most definitely.
KING: Yes. (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
CRUISE: No, I mean, psychiatry doesn't work. You look at the things
that psychiatry's brought to society. We now are living in a time
where we spend over $700 billion a year on education, psych- driven,
and where are we? We have still a decline in illiteracy. We know that
electroconvulsive shock therapy, you know, drugging people, OK, with
these vicious drugs -- when Prozac came out, it had the -- you know,
the biggest -- I mean, in the first few months or a year, it had
14,000 complaints on that drug, yet it's still out there. You look at
Paxil, OK, that's now banned in the United Kingdom for under 18
because of the vicious side effects of those drugs.
So here we talk about things that we know -- OK, if someone can't
read, we know that we can give them these tools and help them to read.
And it doesn't matter what religion you are, these things work. If
you're on drugs, we can help get you off drugs. If you're a criminal,
we can give you -- there's technology that he developed to help you
not be a criminal.
KING: Tom Cruise. Passion, as well. "The Last Samurai" opens a week
from tonight. We'll be right back.
32 - Sister Ray
TV news has a lot more airtime to fill than it used to, with cable. So it makes a big deal out of celebrities' personal lives because they're easy to report on. Nobody "has to" watch it. You can decide for yourself what news is important to you. The fact that something's on "The Today Show" doesn't necessarily mean it's important.
33 - Anne Agura
It seems to me that Matt Lauer was a little aggressive in his interview, pushing Tom into his adrenaline induced "flight of fight" response". Cruise certainly revealed to the audience that he has a real challenge in staying calm in discussing topics he feels passionate about, and I hope he gets some help for himself. I've know plenty of people who were not celebrities, either, who cannot ever admit they are wrong, or that there are usually two sides to every contoversy. When you push them in a discussion, they come out swinging. Tom Cruise must be wired for sound right now to fly off the handle like that.
34 - Lilyblue
To Sister Ray and Anne Agura:
What happended yesterday in the Today Show IS IMPORTANT. The Amerian Psychiatry Association and the National Mental Health Association issued official statements in less than twenty four hours. These statements speak for themselves...
"Cruise's comments could have very damaging consequences for American with mental health needs by increasing stigma and shame, discouraging treatment and forcing people to go without needed care. Celebrities, like Cruise, have an organic platform to share their talents and their viewpoints. However, this opportunity comes hand-in-hand with a responsibility to not mislead the American public with unfounded rhetoric.
- Michael M. Faenza, MSSW, President and CEO of the National Mental Health Association
"The illnesses we treat - anxiety, depression - are very real illnesses," said Dr. John Scully, medical director of the American Psychiatric Association.
"The treatments work. We have demonstrated that through robust scientific study."
Cruise's views on psychiatry are so extreme and devoid of scientific proof, "it's a little like talking to somebody who claims the world is flat," Scully said.
- John Scully, Medical Director of the American Psychiatric Association
35 - MommyCool
While Cruise's delivery was disappointing for a man that has great discipline as an actor, MommyCool does not discount his position on drugs. Abuse of Ritalin has occurred because other alternatives weren't tried. Lauer's respectful demeanor scored points with MommyCool and he's right, many have been helped by Ritalin.
36 - Eric Olsen
Bob Dole and MommyCool speak in the third person
37 - Sister Ray
I agree that mental illness is important. But Tom Cruise's opinion on it isn't (or shouldn't be). People should enjoy celebrities as entertainers and not treat their every utterance as headline news.
38 - Aaman
He may have whatever opinion on drugs, but he has no business opinionating on Brooke Shields - she's not his wife, sister, mother. He might be internally secure, making himself self-confident, but maybe she needed some external support.
In Buddhism, this is considered lacking compassion for others lesser than us. All said and done, this makes him as much a fundamentalist as any mullah
Tom Cruise - Mullah of the West
39 - Razzy
I didn't like Tom Cruise in the first place but I tolerated his presence on screen to see a good movie. Now I have Zero Tolerance. I'm 100% in agreement with Tracy. I was one of the lucky ones that through the use of these drugs and psychiatry was able to step back and educate myself on my illness enough so that I can now deal with the highs and lows without drugs or psychiatry. That is what the drugs are all about. They are there if you need them short term or long term to overcome and/or continue to be a productive member of society. They work in conjunction with exercise, vitamins, and therapy. Who can argue with that? Would you rather exist in a living hell day to day or take a pill - It's a no brainer.
40 - Silas Kain
If thousands of Americans flush their psychotropic drugs down the toilet this morning and become violent or homicidal, can L. Ron Cruise be prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license?
41 - stacybug
It is unfortunate, but realistic, that celebrities have such significant impacts on our society. Thankfully we do live in a country where there is freedom of speech, but oftentimes these opinions become "the right way; the only way."
Having personally experienced post-partum depression (yes, indeed I did NEED anti-depresssants), I strongly urge all mothers to acknowledge their symptoms and seek help. Receiving treatment in any form, whether it be therapy or medication, will only benefit you, your family, and your new baby.
I grew up with Top Gun, Risky Business, etc. I am no longer a fan of Tom Cruise and will not be watching any more of his movies. Need medical advice? That's why we educate and pay phycicians and nurses - NOT ACTORS!
42 - Jared Smith
Okay, the drugs that Tom has been criticizing will do bad things for children or adults who dont need them. But isnt it the same with alcohol or cars for that matter. Props to Matt Lauer for not being scared by Tom's increasingly frequent stare-down face.
43 - Josia
Another fabulous title Eric! And another major icon showing his true stripes - it's not like someone was squirting water at him this time ...We like our icons perfect - but they're not - they're just as human and flawed as the rest of us. I love the way Americans all rally together at times like this to show their discontent - poor Spielberg!
44 - sudo rastle
Someone made a good point. Why didnt he have kids when he was with MimI rogers? That Milf is so hot! She has the crazy eyes but still is a babe. I think Tom is right about the whole field of Psychology. Its all about money! having just recently taken General Psych I realize how the corporations are feeding money to the book publishers to advertise their harmful drugs in a school textbook!! Who knows maybe Brooke shields has a contract with a drug company to bring their religion of antidepressant pill popping to the masses. Much like Cruises agenda to spread the word about his fantastic CULT!!!
45 - Eric Olsen
guess Tom isn't the only Scientologist
46 - Birt
By far: The best role I've seen Tom play ... EVER! Till now I've thought his so-called acting and his movies have been 'crap'! ..... but with the NEW Tom I'll see him in ANY movie ANY time. Even if he was misinformed, frustrated and looked 'goofy' with Matt Lauer ..... he FINALLY lost that silly trademark insencere smile and fought back on something he truly believed in. I have a whole new respect for Tom Cruise. GO TOM!
47 - KenPie
Tom Cruise You disapoint me!! How dare you use your celebrity to shame people!! Cruise your star no longer shines bright, you have fallen! I will no longer support your career and will encourage friends, family and strangers to think twice before paying $8.00 to see you on the big screen.
PREDICTION: In 10 Years Tom will be...
*Divorced from Katie...
*Engaged to Dakyota Fanning.
*Staring in Mission Impossible 10
*Living in a padded room in need of some of that "medication" that he now says is so evil!!
48 - Aaman
Don't feel sorry for Spielberg - despite his arrogance, War Of the Worlds will be a stupendous hit
49 - R. Johnson
What is kind of frightening about these
ass hat celebs making blanket statements
such as these about Psychiatry, is that
there are millions of people who will
likely agree with TC based only on the
simple fact that he is a celebrity and
therefore he must be much smarter and
more well informed about the matter than
most other regular(non-celeb)people are.
50 - Reba
Cruise needs to check himself. Hes being controlled by his cult. It may be that hes low on sleep from all the cavorting performances with Katie. Did you see his tounge go out to the side when he was going after Matt(Possum face)Lauer?!! Hes losing it!I heard Matt lauer is gay too.
51 - Silas Kain
Sorry, Reba, Matt is so straight one can level a brick wall with him. Mr. Lauer, however, is a pretty decent guy who's just trying to make his way in the world along with the rest of us. I remember vividly when he worked in the Boston television market. He was funny, kind and very grateful to his fans at the local level. He's had his share of ups and downs in this business.
As far as I'm concerned Matt Lauer was the epitome of what a good journalist should be. Ratings and Cruise popularity be damned, Matt never backed off from the lunacy that Mr. Cruise spewed forth. The war of words against psychiatry is Mr. Cruise's attempt to seek revenge on the psychiatric community on behalf of the Church of Scientology. His rantings are clearly comparable to religious wars that have been fought through the ages.
The Church of Scientology operates on the premise that psychiatry and psychology are bunk. They attempt to introduce their doctrine as a viable alternative to conventional mental health treatment. By hiding behind the IRS tax codes recognizing the organization as a bona fide religion, the CoS has, in effect, become a practitioner of medicine without the dispensation of chemical drugs. In the case of the CoS it's not a matter of separation of church and state. Mr. Cruise's statements clearly illustrate the long standing war of words between CoS and the psychiatric community. The CoS tries to represent itself as the logical alternative to conventional psychiatric therapy. As a result, the practices of the organization deserve the closest scrutiny by local, state and federal health officials who are qualified by law to oversee such treatments.
Let us not forget that the public is what created the phenomenon known as Tom Cruise. It was the money that movie goers plucked down at the box office which caused him to garner the mega million dollar salaries he's achieved. The buck stops with us who see his movies. As much as I was looking forward to War of the Worlds, I have no intention of seeing it now. I cannot in good conscience contribute my money to a movie where I know that ultimately a share of my movie ticket dollar will make its way into the collection basket at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International.
52 - SphinxMontreal
Although I have never been a big fan of Lauer, he made the Cruiser look like a total fool. Looks like Tommy Boy is buckling under the pressure of being in X-TC.
Loved the part of Tommy telling Matt that he does not know the history of psychiatry. How dare Matt not study this subjet in depth. What kind of a television host is he anyway?
Put a fork in Tommy, he's cooked.
53 - Lilyblue
Tom Cruise told Matt Lauer you could be a Christian Scientologist...
It just comes to show how ignorant he is about the HISTORY of his own religion. He must have been busy studying the HISTORY of psychiatry...:lol
A Christian Scientologist? Check out this quote from L. Ron Hubbard (founder of Dianetics and Scientology) on Christianity and Jesus...
For those of you whose Christian toes I may have stepped on, let me take the opportunity to disabuse you of some lovely myths. For instance, the historic Jesus was not nearly the sainted figure (he) has been made out to be. In addition to being a lover of young boys and men, he was given to uncontrollable bursts of temper and hatred.... You have only to look at the history his teachings inspired to see where it all inevitably leads. It is historic fact and yet man still clings to the ideal, so deep and insidious is the biologic implanting....
No doubt you are familiar with the Revelations section of the Bible where various events are predicted. Also mentioned is a brief period of time in which the arch-enemy of Christ, referred to as the anti-Christ, will reign and his opinions will have sway ... this anti-Christ represents the forces of Lucifer (literally, the "light-bearer" or "light-bringer"), Lucifer being a mythical representation of the forces of enlightenment.... My mission could be said to fulfill the Biblical promise represented by this brief anti-Christ period.
-- L. Ron Hubbard, Student Briefing, OT VIII Series I
54 - Lilyblue
Tom Cruise told Matt Lauer you could be a Christian Scientologist...Continued
I am just sitting here wondering, was Tom just lying through his teeth when he said that to Matt or is he really that ignorant about his own religion?
So here's some more stuff I found that Tom Cruise probably didn't read cause he was busy studying the "history of psychiatry"...
***********************************
According to Hubbard's OT III cosmology, all of us on Earth were implanted 75 million years ago with false memories which he collective calls "R6". These implants cause us to do all sorts of crazy things, but Hubbard's auditing can break the power of the implants. Here, Hubbard says that Christianity is nothing more than a religious system built on parts of the R6 implants. The behavior of the mentally ill was used as a model for Christianity.
After establishing the origins of Christianity upon the ravings of the mentally ill, Hubbard goes on to deny the existence of Christ, saying instead that all men share the implant of the cross, which is part of R6. Thus, according to Hubbard, responding to Christ is simply being under the control of a false memory implant.
55 - Natalie Davis
Mr. Edwards wrote:
Yeah, good for you. It's great that you are commenting, but how does being part of the death brigade make you more qualified to comment than anyone else? There are many comments representing a wide variety of views. Yours is welcome, but so is everyone else's.
As for me, Cruise certainly has the right to say what he wants. So do I, and I believe that what he is spouting is dangerous crap.
56 - Ferris Tilton
Tom Cruise: The World's Smartest High school Drop-Out? Stay tuned.More news
at 11:00.
57 - karens
Those people who denigrate the use of anti-depressants by insisting that there is no such thing as chemical imbalance are vile, insensitive creeps. I'd like to use nicer more diplomatic words, but the truth will suffice.
If you've never been there you have NO right, absolutely NO RIGHT to such arrogant claims. You can say, "In my opinion there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance" because then you'd be honest. But to claim it as fact is ignorant.
As for anti-depressant medication not being "natural": HELLO??? is a chemical imbalance supposed to be natural? Would you call INSULIN unnatural? So a diabetic should go without because it's medicine??
There is NO difference. A disease is a disease is a disease. You either use the tools available to treat or, at best, cure, or you decide you want to ignore the intelligence God/Goddess/Gods/Force gave people to develop these drugs and sit on your high horse saying how much better you are than other people.
Major points to people here who pointed out that Crazy Cruise was operating from two (at least) chemical imbalances while on the Today show: serotonin and adrenalin.
58 - Nick Jones
The index for The Smoking Gun's copies of L. Ron Hubbard FBI files.
The results of Lisa McPherson's treatment by Scientology's alternative to psychiatry.
59 - Cruisblues
I think War o the Worlds is gunna tank. Toms career is done unless he can get Oprah to bring him back on so he can confess his gayness. Maybe if he says hes BI everyone will accept him! Toms likes Tube steak and Tuna steak!!!
60 - Jerry Jewler
Cruise has gone bonkers. I lived with bipolar or manic/depressive condition for years, along with panic attacks. My psychiatrist treated me with pills and for the first time in my life I feel wonderful, and thank God for getting me to the right doctor in time. Tell Tom to put that in his ear and stuff it. Wish I could write Matt Lauer, but his email seems unavailable. Too bad.
61 - Metanaut
Fame sucks. That a dropout can claim the sufficient legimacy to discount an entire field, an entire method of treatment, that has in fact (and by their own accord) benefitted the people who were willing to seek it (I am not one, personally), is due to the fact that the media gives far too much airtime to these, the famous, and that there is a demand for this airtime.
I agree that there are very definitely more important things in the world to think about. However, I just had a friend recommend a "greatest" book to me. "Dianetics", by L. Ron Hubbard. That it was recommended as a "book" to me, and not a "cult", a "scam", or a "religion" to use the kindest but least appropriate word, felt a bit insidious... Any "religion" that uses its tax break to build a Celebrity Center must be called to answer.
Tom Cruise is suddenly becoming a danger before our eyes. It's this same "recommendation", but on the largest scale. As for Katie... she is a laboratory. A test mule. But then, he was likely to win her... she still living her childhood crushes. And willingly, she goes. R.I.P.
Seems there are some skeptics here, of Tom's good intentions. So, vote with your wallets. In this case, it's easy. Keep your money in it and boycott this film. Simply, don't see it. Make a box office ripple and reduce the height of his pedestal.
62 - Nick Jones
Mr. Edwards writes: "...what the hell have you done to call yourself an American?"
I was born here, babe. If there are any other requirements, I haven't been told.
63 - heraldtalia
Hmmmm....let me see am I going to trust my therapist, who has a PHD, or a fucking washed up movie star????? I THINK I WILL GO WITH MY THERAPIST!!!! I come from a family where we are all on meds and let me tell you I would have killed myself a long time ago if I didn't have my meds! I mean have fucking Tom Cruise tell me that I don't need my meds to help me feel better when it is at the point where if I miss a dose I cut my self. FUCK HIM!
64 - steph
I would glady boycott a blockbuster film wherein a an openly prejudiced actor stars. Tom Cruise's rantings about mental illness is equally as hating.
65 - Susie D.
I am so upset at hearing Tom Cruise talking about what he THINKS he knows about depression and anxiety and medication.
I would like to ask him what he thinks when a person has a manic episode like trying continually to poke their eyes out. This happened to me at 18. It just came upon me after hearing about a young man getting robbed at a gas station and so as not to identify them the robbers gouged his eyes out. For some reason when getting in the door I had this urge to try the same thing and it went on for months.
It happened again 7 years later to try and hurt myself again and I was diagnosed as having clinical depession. If not for medication, I would not be here. One Doctor told me they don't know anything about the brain so he did not know why. My therapist did and diagnosed me with Bipolar and manic episodes. Also explaining to me how the brains chemicals work. I'm now 51 and have suffered and tried everything for this horrible disease.
Thanks Tom for making my world worse. If you have an explanation for me or better yet a cure please let me know.
I think you just got yourself caught in a large bees nest. I thought you were one of the nicest people. What do you think of Rosie O'Donnell now or what does she think of you.
Very hurt, Susie
66 - Eric Olsen
some celebrities comment on politics and sound like idiots, some on psychiatry and sound like an idiot
67 - ryan
For some strange reason I'm all of a sudden cucko for cocoa puffs.
68 - HW Saxton
As is the case with most arguments about
the mental health fields there are no black & white or clear cut answers.Lots of speculative thoughts but in most cases no really effective or clear cut answers to be had.
Psychiatric help and treatment being no
different. Not all people will respond
to all treatments alike nor will they
always have the effect on one that they may have on another person. Vitamin therapy & exercise may work fine for some,help boost the effectiveness of treatments for others and just give no help whatsover at all in some cases of treatment. Personally speaking (having suffered serious bouts of depression in my late teens-early twenties) I do know that exercise,diet and having the proper
nutrition(mainly saying AWAY from any/ all processed sugar and too much of all
natural sugars as well,such as OJ,honey)
plays a huge part in the maintenance of a healthy mind and body(for me anyway I should add).I'm not saying this is the gospel truth bit that it did help me at a point when help was needed.For Cruise to come out and assail these values, all these professional opinions,facts
& and what have you shows what a wholly
completely overblown sense of self worth
these creep has.
69 - eh
First of all why is Tom Cruise even talking about Ritalin and Psychiatry? Who does he know or what has he experienced about this drug or any drug that he thinks people want to hear his opinion on the matter? He talks about psychiatrists and how they prescribe this drug to people and they are the ones to blame. Scientists make the drug for a purpose and psychiatrist prescribes them. He is a SCIENTOLOGIST, not a scientist or a psychiatrist or anyone in that field. His opinion on the matter means as much to me as his opinion on the color of the sky. And now Ritalin is a ‘street drug’. Where have you been Tom, Ritalin has been a street drug for a long time…. And of all the horrible drugs out there, why are you attacking Ritalin…. There are far worse drugs with far worse effects.
You say there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance….do you even know what that means? Have you ever met anyone who was schizophrenic or bipolar or obsessive compulsive? Have you ever lived with anyone who has a mental illness? Have you ever been to a mental hospital? Have you ever taken psychology classes…? Or just Scientology classes…? Wait, Scientology is religious based organization created by a science fiction author; it has NOTHING to do with science or psychiatry. Some people might call scientology a cult, or brainwashing, or some might even call it a mental illness. Yes, I did my research, unlike some people.
In case you didn’t already know…. Mental Illness is: “Any of various conditions characterized by impairment of an individual's normal cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning, and caused by social, psychological, biochemical, genetic, or other factors, such as infection or head trauma. Also called emotional illness, mental disease, and mental disorder.” (Dictionary.com)
Its one thing to express your opinion about something on national television to get people talking about you and the topic of discussion, which is old news, but talk is cheap (especially when it’s a one sided view with no facts). Actions speak louder than words, or do they not teach you that in your church, which like every other organized religion, has their one sided view about life and drugs and what is right and wrong. Since when did you become ‘god’ and think you can go around saying what is right and wrong, what exists and doesn’t exist and that you know everything about everything? If you go back to paragraph 3, line 1 which describes mental illness, “Any various conditions characterized by impairment of any individual (s) (Yes, Tom that is you) normal cognitive (thinking), emotional, or behaviorally functioning…” Is this making any sense yet? If you want people to listen to you, you have to listen first.
70 - foz
Do you realize that doctors get paid more money if they prescribe certain drugs. If they push certain drugs rather. So years from now when they confirm that anti-depressant drugs caused all sorts of disorders what will you say then. Wil you still kneel on the alter of Pharacia. Pop em now and pay later...
71 - dee
I suggest that tom cuise live with some of these mentally ill people that he thinks can be cured without taking their meds. A few weeks with with them and he will change his tune. I don't have to do much research. I have a daughter who is schizophrenic and I can tell you tom cruise has no clue what it is like. None what so ever so he really should think twice before opening his mouth.
72 - mona
I think we all agree to leave the acting to Tom and the diagnosing to the doctors. As for the treatment of any disease, that is a personal decision. You can take the advice of a doctor whos spent years studying medicine and science or you can take advice from Tom who did a nice samurai kick in his last movie. Thumbs up to all of you who are truely experienced and educated in this field and have taken the time to post. By you doing so, celebrities like Tom hopefully learn of their place in society. If you really want to teach him, skip on his new movie and he'll understand that without the millions of dollars he gets to be in 1 movie he would have NO platform to voice his uneducated opinions that is of no use to our society.
73 - Sally
Tom cruise is an idiot, and a control freak. I hope Katie's parents can talk some sense into her what will be a fragile brain, if she marries that jerk. She should watch sleeping with the enemy before going down the isle.
74 - sobotol
All I know is Tom's actions are speaking loudly and he is positively just another in a long line of Secret Swordfighters of Hollywood!!!
75 - casz
media talk show hosts know that Tom Cruise is a Scientologist and a firm principle of theirs is to stay away from man-made prescription/drugs. That is like attacking someone who is Christian and saying "you honestly believe Mary was a virgin?" It is beliefs that make you who you are. He cares about his friends and if you ask him "his feelings/beliefs" that is what you are going to get. Tom has consistently held a firm but loving touch with people/media-jerks like Lauer. I like Tom Cruise...he is not a follower or kiss-ass who just goes along with whatever the pressure says he "should do". He researches, comes to his own conclusions, then stays firm to his belief. He isn't two-faced like most of the media who one day supports something/someone then bashes them the next day. Kudos for Tom.