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.
My prayers for your relative. I think he can still excel with proper treatment, but it is shame to see how destructive this illness can be not only to the one suffering from it, but to his family as well. You're right that they often have visions of demons, think they have a special calling from God, etc. They often see horrible things. It is a shame people can't understand that, occasionally, they have no control over what they see, think or say.
I once had a manic depressive patient who believed she could fly an airplane. So, it temporarily does influence beliefs, especially if it makes you believe you have the answers to everything, and then you march off to implement them and convert people. A kind of Holiday Inn guest syndrome.
In the first stages of coming out of the depressed state, the patient may become rational enough to know what a mess they made of things and energetic enough to carry out a suicide plan. It is the most dangerous phase. Which is why stirring up discussion about this can be life-saving, not vicious.
I watched Mel do Hamlet, and I never saw any other actor so well evoke a depressed state of mind from Shakespeare's words. Which may have been more his life experiences at work than the timeless poetry. "O, that this too, too solid flesh would melt..."
When he said that, I knew that either Shakespeare or Mel had been there.
He can join Tom Cruise and Margot Kidder and Patty Duke among others. I suspect the acting field attracts more than its fair share for obvious reasons.
That's what my husband did! He got sober six years ago and just got diagnosed this year with bp.
This post taught me more about it than anything I've read so far. Down to earth info, not the usual lofty descriptions and phrases from web sites.
Thanks
Will you STOP?! If you don't like it, you've expressed your offense, now don't you have someone else to harangue?? Why do you hang on and hang on and hang on??
I see soccermom's point and I am interested in this.
I just found this forum, having only been on News/Activism since I (fairly recently) got on FreeRepublic. I see that now this Clara Loo is now slinging mud in my direction, since I object to her constant haranguing of others. That shows a mental problem?? Yes, maybe it does, but not in me!
Finding a post on a new forum is insidious???? Wow, I'm still finding new posts. Is this not allowed on FreeRep, or is it frowned on? Maybe there's some unwritten rule that we shouldn't comment unless it's a fresh new thread, or unless Clara Loo approves of your view first.
When does it stop being extreme defensiveness and start becoming paranoia? I see already she twist things. Objecting to WHAT she writes is equal to objecting to her writing at all. okkkayyyyyyyyyyy. (rolling eyes)
What is with this person? Does she go around objecting to many posts, is that all she does?
She is very argumentative and unpleasant!
I'm glad you found this thread helpful. That was the point --- to help people understand. I'm sorry about your ex and imagine that contributed to the divorce. If this helps other couples to get treatment before it is too late, I'm glad to have started the thread. I don't know what CL's problem is, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt that she isn't informed about the issue and presumes it is an attack to talk about Gibson's illness when, in reality, it paints him in a more favorable light. Welcome to Free Republic. You're going to find that there are people in this forum who tend to eat their own and, being new, I'm sure you will get a lot of "hazing", for lack of a better term.
I found your post today. Just in case you didn’t see it, the following was published in May, 2008; but the disclosure by Mr. Gibson is from a 2002 interview for a documentary about NIDA (his drama college):
Mel Gibson Admits To Being A ‘Manic Depressive’Tags:
FIRST PUBLISHED: May 14, 2008 9:49 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: May 15, 2008 1:26 AM EDT
LOS ANGELES, Calif. —
A 2002 interview has surfaced of Mel Gibson, where the Australian star admits to being “manic depressive.”
“I had really good highs but some very low lows,” Gibson said in the documentary, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. “I found out recently I’m manic depressive.”
No other quotes from Gibson were provided in the article.
The documentary, “Acting Class of 1977,” concerns Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art’s acting class of 1977, but the interview with Gibson, reportedly took place in 2002.
His classmate, Sally McKenzie, conducted the interview.
The documentary will screen the last Sunday of the month in Australia.
Gibson’s publicist was not immediately available for comment.
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