Episode Discussion Mental Heath in Normal Again and Drusilla's insanity

[smgismyqueenjpg]

I don't if you're

I think schizophrenia is one of those illnesses that people feel it's ok to make light of, whereas that's a taboo with other mental illnesses. You still hear things like 'the guy went total schizo' or variations thereof. I'm sure Buffy said things like that too, although she's a bit of a relic in cultural terms now. She still called people retards. It was the 90s!

But yeah, in tv and movies, it's the standard 'crazy' illness used. So much so I end up pointing it out - it's a schizophrenic again. Is it because it's a mysterious illness to people? It sure doesn't help people who suffer from it that this is the portrayal it's given in popular culture.

Not directed at the OP, I'm just talking in general.

People do make of Bipolar also. You see how many people self-diagnose themselves with it.

 

[Bluebird]

I don't if you're

People do make of Bipolar also. You see how many people self-diagnose themselves with it.

Well sure, but it's common on TV for schizophrenia to be used as a synonym for dangerous. People in reality are all sorts of disgusting, but TV has meant to have some standards, especially as studios are afraid of offending. Although I guess no one loses advertising for stigmatising schizophrenia, so have at it.

 

[November]

Ahh #triggered haha. But I will try not to go overboard.

No I dont think Dru has a diagnosable mental illness. I dont think she is sick - eccentric and psychic, maybe dissociative and hallucinating but she seems quite happy with it all really. Not ill.

The mental health stuff will be a debatable topic for years to come with me - but I need to focus my energy in places where it might get through to people. People who still believe in utter bullshit lies of commercial medication companies will never understand mental illness in the way many diagnosed schizophrenic (or bipolar) people understand it. Mental illness in TV is never accurate, and many who claim to "suffer" also "suffer" without little luxuries of life (ie - coffee, internet, phone... ). Maybe I have a superiority complex - is there a medication for that?

There was a time when psychosis and mania was a passing phase, some only experienced it once in life. Now many have ongoing issues after being medicated at first presentation to the medical field.

And for some, its spiritual. This is more the level I see Dru at.

Buffy and normal again will be for another post.