“Erratic Behavior” in Singer of The Vines
November 18, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Sunday I wrote about singer Pip Brown aka Ladyhawke, who has Asperger’s Syndrome; a profile of her in the Independent noted how having Asperger’s is one reason that live shows aren’t the easiest for her.
Another musician, singer Craig Nicholls of The Vines, was diagnosed with Asperger’s four years ago: It’s been reported in Reuters via the Calgary Herald that the band has had to cancel their upcoming shows “due to a deterioration in the mental condition” and the “erratic behavior” of Nicholls. Some news sources refer to him as having a “mental illness” though what he has is Asperger’s syndrome—-the singer was diagnosed with Asperger’s after “abusing fans and assaulting a Sydney photographer.” Asperger’s shouldn’t be conflated with “mental illness”—doing so suggests that someone on the spectrum is “crazy” and that’s not the case— and hope that Nicholls can get the care he needs.
Define a mental illness? Are bipolar people “crazy” [can be!] How about those suffering from depression?
Of course at one time autism was mistaken for schizophrenia and some experts say you need to be an expert to distinguish them in many cases.
I am saddened to read “Craig Nicholls’ mental condition has deteriorated extremely rapidly over the past month to the point where he requires immediate help over an extended period of time.”
I’m not sure the basis of the prognosis, nor how common such deterioration. Here is a case where a high-functioning individual has been disabled by his, er, developmental condition.
And then autism and schizophrenia are being “equated” now after this finding—as in this article
New theory says autism and schizophrenia same disease
Whoa… hold up here. Why is it okay to use a word just as offensive to people with mental illness as the “r” word is to people with developmental delay? How is it ok to throw the word “crazy” around? I know your intent was likely to say that you don’t like autism being equated with mental illness because it is a faulty equation and there is significant stigma to mental illness, however the impact of your words is that someone who attacks another person is “crazy” which is the same as “mental illness”.
“Crazy” is a disparaging and disrespectful word when used in the way you used it, it doesn’t matter is you put it in quotes or not. Also none of the articles you link to actually use the term mental illness, they say mental condition. You equated this with mental illness and added the stigmatizing “crazy”. I don’t know what any of those articles mean by mental condition, but none of those articles have the negative tone towards people with mental illness yours does.
You make the same assumption towards people with mental illness that you dislike being made about people with autism – that they are violent. People who are actively treating their mental illness are NOT any more violent than anyone else. (http://www.psychlaws.org/briefingpapers/BP8.htm) and it is overwhelming conclusive that people with mental illness are more likely to BE victims of violence than to commit a violent act (http://www.namicalifornia.org/document-detail.aspx?page=newsviews&tabb=currentnews&lang=ENG&idno=2721).
Also people with Aspergers actually have a high incidence of depression or to use your word “craziness”. It is very, very possible that Nichols has some kind of mental illness co-morbid with Aspergers.
Overall, however, it is a mistake for the press and for you to assume a connection between ANY disability and violence.
@Kate,
completely agree and thanks for pointing all that out. I’ve noted a tendency in the press to equate Asperger’s with “mental illness” (both of which there is plenty of familiarity with around here). Thanks for pointing out my mistake and please note that the connection between disability and violence is implied in the media articles. I regret any offense and thank you again.
How about just admiring the talent of The Vines and the gifted Mr. Nicholls,
Autumn Shade
The Vines
and wishing him the best in getting what he needs to get at this difficult time? Whatever the reason, I think any of us would want the same if we were in this situation.
I have to wonder what’s causing the deterioration. That is definitely not typical of Asperger syndrome at all. I wonder if the settings in which Craig operates have anything to do with it… musicians are subject to a lot of pressures (and not just from that of having to perform live for weeks on end).
I’m saddened that this is happening (the Vines are on my myspace friends list, because I happen to like their music)…