Tuesday, November 10, 2009

GOSSIP, SHAME AND HYPOCRISY

I have mentioned Perez Hilton before and his discriminating ways. Of course he is just a gossip columnist but what's worse is that he attracts millions of readers. This means his opinions could sway others who may not have developed a view on a particular subject. Perez is notorious for stereotyping those who seek medical help for any mental disorder. I find this very hypocritical coming from a man who is FIGHTING for the rights of gays and lesbians (which I agree with). You can't have it both ways Perez.


A few months ago, Mischa Barton was pretty much forced to explain a hospital stay since it involved being admitted to a psychiatric ward. When someone hears PSYCHIATRIC all those negative connotations come to mind. Connotations that have been fueled by stigma. This is sad to me since many people (including my brother) receive much needed treatment from this section of a hospital. Yet, the public continues to stereotype those who set foot into a psychiatric ward. This angers me too no end. Unfortunately, I've seen too many forgotten souls roaming the halls of these hospitals with little to no family support. Would family suddenly forget about their loved ones if they were suffering from cancer or heart disease? I think not. 


The following was posted on PerezHilton.com after Mischa made a comment about her hospital stay (copy in bold is from Perez).


""I went through a tough spot where everything compounded on me, and it was like a perfect storm, like everything was happening to me at once," says the wacktress. 


It seems that before Mischa was scheduled to begin filming her new CW show, Beautiful Life, she had done some extensive traveling on top of having a botched wisdom tooth surgery! And then she turned to coke?! Because they don't hospitalize or grant you a police escort for stress!!


"I had to get through it without proper painkillers because I couldn't take those during work," she says of the dental procedure. "So it's been a nightmare." "I was down in the dumps about everything there for a while," divulges Mushy. "Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom about things and have to get the most stressed out just to feel better again. I got completely stressed out and couldn’t handle everything, and now I feel really in control."


Because of her psychiatric stint at Cedar Sinai last month and we don't find it very convincing. We're not surprised life was difficult for her without drugs! Mischa denies she suffered a mental breakdown. Awww, honey. Denial is not one of the steps of recovery. The truth will set you free! Yeah, she might be OK. It's a slippery slope, though, when these starlets start to loose it. Welcome to the Mushy Mischa Meltodown Watch 2009!"


Why is it so convenient and acceptable to put someone DOWN for accepting medical treatment? I am sick of how we force shame onto an individual when it comes to any sort of mental health issue. It makes me sick but I will continue to try and change attitudes for the better. For now, I guess most people won't get it until they have experience the utter despair that results from either dealing with an unwanted mental disorder or watching a loved one fight everyday to manage their recovery. These individuals are courageous, yet no one is courageous enough to tell them so. WE HAVE TO END THE HATE.

5 comments:

  1. Hi Amber, This kind of behavior is so unfortunate in our society today... It seems to pervade many areas, not just mental health... the more RUDE, CRUDE, and just plain nasty you can be, the more attention you get... I ignore attention getting behavior and those who employ it as childish

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  2. Hi AC,

    I suggest not logging on to his website. You can't change some people and if you keep trying to you'll only make yourself miserable.

    Focus on the people whose minds have an opening. They are the ones you can change.

    That is why I selectively choose the news stories I read or listen to.

    I know some people's minds are locked and no amount of prying will open them up.

    We can only lead by example.

    Regards,
    Christina

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  3. You are right Chris. I don't watch the news because I get angry at all the negativity. I guess it bothers me when this negativity is out there and influencing others. I know I can't change the media but I would think that over time, this discrimination would be viewed as unacceptable. You are right about focusing on those who have open minds. They will allow change to occur.

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  4. How absolutely sick and infuriating. I'm with you - I avoid the news because it angers me so much, but it really bothers me that this kind of thing is out there, increasing the stigma and influencing people. There needs to be far more people speaking up against it.

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  5. That Perez blog... it is like swimming in the sewer. Sleazebag Perez and all kind of immature pottymouthed filth who post there... I was there once and that was enough.

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