Charlie Sheen, the Media Circus and Mental Disorder

Debbie said...

I agree with you. It’s very sad that we live in a society that is using his mental illness or whatever is going on with him, as entertainment. Now that he has made a decision to get out of the spotlight, I hope that he makes a decision to seek help.

If he is found to be mental ill, then learns to deal with his illness, he may very well turn around and sue all these programs for exploitation. If he does that, I will be the first to applaud. Maybe next time, they will think twice about exploiting an individual when they are clearly not themselves.

Comment made on March 11th, 2011

Ashley said...

I strongly agree that as a society we are too focused and concerned about the lives of celebrities, including their mental state. I also concur that only a psychiatrist or psychologist who has been treating these celebrities for years or has studied their entire history can truly make diagnoses or even begin to understand what they are going through psychologically. I imagine that Charlie Sheen, along with Britney Spears, Halle Berry, and countless others who have been scrutinized, have felt humiliated, but have hopefully recovered from the shame the public placed upon them. I believe that this cycle is helping perpetuate the stigmas around mental illnesses. I found an interesting an article from the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services that discusses a non-profit organization called “No Kidding Me Too.”  This organization is comprised of entertainment industry members committed to using their talents and celebrity to spread important messages about mental illness and understanding. This could be a good first step in the move towards removing the stigma around mental illness, but only time will tell. On the other hand, there are a number of reasons why this program might not work out. These include the possibility that some may dislike the title of the program because they feel that it leaves the impression that mental illnesses are very common and therefore not serious, difficulties the program may have in recruiting celebrities who are willing to join, etc.

Celebrities unite to foster mental illness acceptance (2008). Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 46(7), 10.

Comment made on March 21st, 2011

Siri said...

I agree that the media has no sense of ethics and is willing to cross any moral boundaries to get juicy celebrity news people crave. Celebrities are considered public figures by the society and, as a result, are subject to any kind of mockery, criticism and ridicule. People love to see celebrities hit rock bottom and make jokes about it because they can do it without feeling guilty. The public sometimes forget that famous people are just ordinary people who have problems. They should be left alone, especially when they are dealing with mental illnesses. We, as a society, should try to be more empathetic with celebrities, even though it may seem difficult to do so.

Comment made on April 14th, 2011

Giselle said...

I agree with Stan that the media circus surrounding the whole Charlie Sheen debacle has gotten far too out of control.  The sharks are certainly surrounding Charlie.  I think it is also important to point out that he is milking this for everything it is worth as well.  He is making a lot of money touring the country with his antics and has applied for patents on the various catch phrases he has been using such as “tiger blood”.

I also agree that it is possible that Mr. Sheen suffers from a mental disorder such as bipolar.  However, none of us are qualified to make that diagnosis.  Even psychiatrists are not qualified to make that diagnosis unless they have actually evaluated Charlie in a therapeutic environment.  The sad fact is, however, that although many people assume Charlie has bipolar, they are also taking great amusement in it.  The fact is that this is a devastating disease that can tear lives and families apart.  It is nothing to laugh at.  The media and the public should be ashamed of themselves.  I only hope that Charlie, his family, and medical professionals can get him the help he needs before something truly tragic happens.

On the other hand, I do not share the sympathy for celebrities that Stan does.  People know that this is the downside of fame and I think people who choose that type of career path have to learn to deal with it or get out.  There are downsides to every career choice.  Negative publicity is the downside to being rich and famous and I think if you choose that life then you have to be ready to deal with the consequences.  The same goes for professional athletes who feel like they are constantly being criticized.  If you don’t want to be judged by the public, then stay out of the public eye.

Comment made on April 16th, 2011