On Sat, Apr 2, 2011 at 2:02 PM, PGage <[email protected]> wrote: > Footnote: > I don't believe in diagnosing people at a distance, so I will not make > statements about Mr. Sheen directly here. In general though, the description > of someone who is "manic yet focused" implies someone in a hypo-manic state. > Hypomania is a disordered mental syndrome, characterized by pressured speech > and racing thoughts and heightened energy. As with people who take cocaine > (at least in the early stages) the hypomania can lead to actual productivity > in some areas, and a sense of euphoria. Hypomania can either be an > intermediate step on the way to full blown mania (which is not at all > productive, or focused, or fun) or it can be the last step. People how > progress to full blown mania qualify for the diagnosis of Bi-Polar Disorder > I. People who experience only hypomannic episodes qualify for a diagnosis of > either Bi-Polar II (if they also have episodes of major depression) or > Cyclothymia (if they do not also have episodes of major depression). > Hypomania and mania like states can also be secondary to some kind of > substance use.
One of the things one can take away from Maron's WTF podcast is that it would not be unfair to say all comedians either suffer or have suffered from -- to put it mildly -- mental distress. Maron has conducted in-depth interviews with more than 100 of them, and none of them have reported an entirely stabile lifestyle. There was a moment towards the end of the first season of "House" when House and Cameron go out on a date. It was actually the moment when I decided I liked the series. House being unable to make casual small talk at the dinner table decided to perform some dimestore psychoanalysis on Cameron. He basically told her the reason she likes him is because he is broken or damaged in some way -- that if he were "normal" or more emotionally grounded, she would not be attracted to him. I believe there is an element to the relationship audiences have with performers that mimics that concept. Maybe we see our own flaws in them, or maybe we want to feel superior to someone with different flaws. But this notion of being attracted to train wrecks is what draws people into reality TV shows... and Charlie Sheen. I wouldn't presume to even be qualified to diagnose Charlie Sheen if I was standing next to him, so I applaud PGage for not doing so from a distance (if only the Sanjay Guptas, Dr. Drews, and Phil McGraws of the world could show such restraint in the media). But I can state based on all the evidence that Charlie Sheen is an unbelievable ass, but millions of people all over the world cannot wait to see what he'll do next. A woman who I recently had to sever ties with (for my own sanity) got pissed at me when I suggested that she consider therapy. As I expressed to her, I firmly believe everyone should consider it if they have the money. She took it personally, and I understand why, but the fact remains that this nation's collective mental state is not at all well. We regularly fall victim to fervors political, theological, and sociological in nature. We collectively express ignorance, intolerance, and make hasty decisions, even when we know there will be dire consequences. I'm almost ready to state that before this country adopts national health care for all, we first should invest in mental health care for all. -- Kevin M. (RPCV) -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
