Posted on 07/31/2006 5:56:53 PM PDT by soccermom
I know it isn't popular, particularly in conservative circles, to excuse behavior by citing mental illness. Bipolar disorder, in particular, has been the excuse celeb cited by child-raping school teachers, so I understand why people may have little patience for the argument I am about to make.
That said, after observing Mel Gibson's behavior of late, I can't help but think he must have bipolar disorder and we should try to understand his behavior -- even if it can't be excused.
Someone close to me has bipolar disorder and, before it was diagnosed and treated, I saw some of the same self-destructive behavior in him that I see in Mel. In their manic phases, people with bipolar disorder are prone to excessive drinking or substance abuse, "motormouth", outlandish words and deeds. They do things that "normally" they wouldn't do in a million years. Those that are religious, like my loved-one and Mel Gibson, tend to be over-zealous in their faiths -- to the point that they are almost Messianic. Paranoia is not uncommon, as is a tendency to blame others. It is not uncommon for a serious world event to trigger a manic episode. In my loved-one's case, it was 9/11. He was suspicous of "foreign" coworkers. With Mel, if he is indeed manic, I would suspect it is the latest turmoil in Lebanon(on top of some personal issues?) that has sparked his mania.
Unfortunately, bipolar disorder is difficult to diagnose, particularly because those with the illness tend to feel great when they're manic -- oblivious when those around them think they're behaving like jerks. It is even harder for celebrities to be diagnosed because many of the symptoms of bipolar disorder --- excessive spending, drug/alcohol abuse, promiscuity and arrogance -- are prevalent in Hollywood anyway.
I guess what I'm saying is, even if his behavior was inexcusable, if he was mentally ill and didn't know it it is understandable. I suspect that Gibson will have to have some court-mandated mental evaluation. If so, that may be one of the better things to happen to him. I hope he does get help. Since my loved-one has been on medication, he has been his normal, kind, responsible self. I'll be praying for Mel and his family.
I don't really give a fig.
Thank goodness, another Mel Gibson thread.
It had been almost an hour since the last....I was going through withdrawal.
Tee hee -- you sure didn't waste much time responding to it!
I have known hundreds of people who are bi-polar and who at the early on-set of the mental illness, find that they can "treat" their ups and down by using alcohol.
Then, they become addicted to the alcohol, and they have 2 things going against them: Bi-polar disease and alcoholism.
I think you may have nailed it.
Do you really think it's right for us to sit here and speculate on line about another living person's mental state? You don't know anything but what you've read and neither does anyone else here. This is indecent.
It seems you are trying to ascribe a reason for the behaviour of someone you do not know (I assume you do not know Mr. Gibson). It seems an exercise in futility, with all respect. For all any of us knows, Mr. Gibson may engage in these types of tirades all the time. The difference is this one is public.
I wasn't on FR all weekend...I guess I missed a lot (or not).
Nah, just an out of control drunk.
LOL First thing on the top of my list - the man seems to have some issues, but I truly don't know enough to judge him. None of us do.
applause
He just might be.
It won't matter to the thought police.
Is he bipolar? NO...he's anti-semetic.
I don't think he sounds bipolar.
People have said that he's been treated for drug and or alcohol abuse in the past.
He said in an interview clip I saw (that seemed to have been a few years ago), that he could become addicted to anything, so apparently that is part of his make-up.
He's.......an actor.
Bipolar or not, people must conform to norms of society or pay the consequences.
I don't think it is indecent at all. I would rather think that Gibson has an illness which, at the time, was beyond his control than to think he's just a drunk, anti-Semite. Wouldn't you? You're right I don't know anything, but what was reported and all I'm saying is that behavior seems ALOT like what I've observed of someone in my life. Having an illness is not a crime. What we need is more awareness of it.
I have watched many interviews with Mel before the release of "The Passion" and he was noticeably manic. Does he suffer from BP...I wouldn't know. But mania is a clear indication of mood problems.
But as to the real issue...is he an anti-semite? That has nothing to do with mood disorders...but mood disorders can magnify confusion.
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