"Terminally annoying and stupid" is not the same as "mentally ill"

[eileen_d]

In my last 10 minutes on DU I have seen multiple references to rubber rooms, "someone's off his meds" etc. all in reference to right-wingers. (Not just on the forums but also in a DU article.)

Of course it's therapeutic and entertaining to insult conservatives and the Bush regime. Many of these people have publicly demonstrated their deficiencies in the logic-and-common-sense department. Who knows, maybe some of them have bona fide mental illnesses, diagnosed or not.

People in the real world take psychiatric medications for a variety of reasons. Frequently these reasons fall into the "no laughing matter" category of mental illness. Negative stigma attached to mental illness and/or psychiatric drugs can actually discourage people who need treatment from seeking it. And that's a Bad Thing.

Frankly I've missed my meds a few times and while I didn't go out and commit a violent crime (or vote Republican), it was no picnic.

OK, soapbox time over. I hope you can understand that this is not about political correctness; it's about the reality of mental illness and respecting other people. And I'm not asking anyone to "stop saying that" or change their language; just to consider other interpretations of what they're saying.

[xultar]

1. I Agree! n/t

[RC]

2. I don't.

The far right really does act as if they need their meds. No 0ne in their correct minds would cause or support the damage this administration is doing, both here and around the world.

[never cry wolf]

3. You are right on it Eileen...

My wife has been on a variety of pills prescribed by her psych. and yes, it is no picnic.

However, being blessed (or cursed?) as a critical thinker who tries to see all sides is it not part of human lexicon at some point in a debate to state "you're crazy!" or "you are nuts if you think that!!" during a discussion or debate?

I think that for the most part the references you cite are merely attempts to creatively send the same message. Are those terms part of the general negative stigmata?? Probably, but I don't think they will go away soon.

[Kanary]

6. Won't go away...

unless and until we make an issue of it.

I'm old enough to remember a time when it didn't look like the "N" word would go away, either. I've had to tell people not to use the "N" word around me, and I've told them about this, also. Most people just haven't had someone with the nerve to point out to them what they are actually doing.

True, most people will immediately defend themselves, but over time, if enough people say something....

I appreciate a lot of what you say, and certainly about your wife. However, I will tell you that if you and I are talking, and you say to me, "You're crazy" or something similar, that's the end of the conversation. I walk away.

Anyone who does even a bit of cursory reading in communication knows that name-calling and such signals the end of any productive conversation.

Kanary

[Kanary]

4. Awareness!

I'm so glad that you brought this up, eileen, and had the courage to personalize it!

This has grated on me many times, and I really do wish that there could be a little more thinking before speaking.

No, it's no laughing matter, and just because so many other people use those terms doesn't mean that it hurts less, or stings less.

It's the territory of the right wing to marginalize people..... can't the Dems go a different route?

Kanary

[Ilsa]

5. That's a great lesson for us all, eileen! n/t