So, let me rephrase: I love Denny Crane.

Given my love for Denny Crane, and my sadness over this being the final season of Boston Legal, it was no surprise William Shatner’s name in this week’s TV Guide caught my eye. (Actually, given the blah factor of this week’s Brothers & Sisters, it was no surprise I was sitting on the couch perusing this week’s episode of TV Guide. But, I digress.) Anyway, I saw Shatner’s name in an article about a YouTube video Shatner made (what?! William Shatner has a YouTube account?! Tres cool) discussing George Takei’s failure to invite Shatner to his wedding.

Blah blah blah.

What held my attention to the article was TV Guide’s statement that, during the YouTube video, Shatner diagnosed Takei with psychosis.

Now we’re cookin’ with hot grease! William Shatner, who is clearly not a doctor, is diagnosing a former castmate with a mental disorder?

Well, not really. I jumped on YouTube and watched the video. What Shatner actually says is, “[...] there’s a psychosis there.” 37 seconds into a video that’s over four minutes long, that’s the one and only mention of psychosis.

Hmm.

Was Shatner diagnosing Takei with psychosis? I don’t think so. I think he was merely suggesting that whatever grudges Takei was holding against him suggested he had false ideas about the reality of their relationship. That Takei had perhaps saw or heard things – perceived things – that Shatner may not (or may, who knows? I’ve never been a Trekkie) have done.

So, after watching the video, it seems to me that TV Guide’s comment might have just been an attempt to fan the flames of this apparently ongoing cat fight. You be the judge:

And, if you want some legit information about psychosis, check out:

• WebMD’s definitions of psychosis.
• PsychCentral’s Schizophrenia and Psychosis
• Dr. Christopher Pelic’s podcast Psychosis: What is Psychosis?

Post from: Blisstree

Did William Shatner Diagnose George Takei With Psychosis?

First up, let me refresh your memory regarding some of the more interesting things that went on at Mental Health Notes this week: The Lolcats paid us a visit, Boston Legal made me proud, the folks opposing the postpartum depression legislation confused me, I offered fellow American Idol Michael Johns fans some help, and, oh yeah, Mental Health Notes wants to know why you ROCK!

Next in line, I have a couple of Saturday Sanity-worthy Web sites to share with you sent in by MHN readers: Chato B. Stewart would like to announce the launch of his Web site, Mental Health Humor – and remind folks that the site is in no way meant to promote stigma. I checked it out myself, and while it seems to be in the beginning stages, I was certainly not offended and give it a Sparks Stamp of Approval. (I would also like to take this time to remind folks that, in my opinion, there is a very clear difference between mental health humor and tasteless, stigma-promoting. For example, this is mental health humor. This, however, is disgusting and promotes stigma.)

Moving right along, Hana Hasani would like to let you all know about Mamaherb, a new Web site geared toward spreading the word about natural health remedies. While browsing the site, I’ve so far found information about natural treatments for depression, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, anxiety, and narcolepsy. I’m all about using what nature gives us, so I’m happy to pass along this beautifully-designed site; however, I’d like to remind all readers that you should always consult with a medical professional before trying anything new – natural and non-natural, alike.

Now, for some scientific, research, and government-related mental health news: With more than 53,000 soldiers having been deployed to Iraq three or more times, the Army is seriously worried about the mental health effects return tours are having on our men and women in uniform – even though senior Iraq commander is telling Congress he’s “not ready to endorse any drawdowns beyond those already scheduled through July.” According to an Indiana survey, 83% of psychiatrists currently support a universal national health insurance plan. Parents with children who have ADHD and take Ritalin may be able to rest a bit easier: Researchers don’t feel Ritalin boosts the likelihood of future substance abuse.

And, finally, what’s going on around the rest of b5media’s Science & Health Channel? Well, Jul over at Veggie Chic is giving you the chance to win a copy of Gorgeously Green, Kristina over at Autism Vox shares a simply heartwarming story of sharing, and Liz over at Alzheimer’s Notes wants to remind everyone about the “All About Alzheimer’s” Carnival.

That’s all for this week’s Saturday Sanity! If you think you have some Saturday Sanity-worthy news, shoot me an email!

Image sources and credits here, here, and here.

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Your Brain’s Weekly Smorgasbord Of Sanitylicious

Tonight’s episode of Boston Legal was an emotional one for me. Sure, Alan Shore’s closing arguments get me fired up and ready to start changing the world every Tuesday night, but tonight’s episode was particularly engaging.

And, it was Shirley’s closing argument – not Alan’s – that did it for me. The frank, bottom line closing argument she gave in defense of a Vietnam war veteran living with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder who was being charged with killing seals on multiple occasions. Because the veteran had killed the seals numerous times, even though he’d been warned, Shirley wanted to “plead insanity.” (Of course, the bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder were to be key pieces of artillery.) The veteran, however, refused such a plea, claiming “crazy” would have been not killing the seals and allowing himself to starve to death.

Touché.

After finally deciding how to approach the case, Shirley ended with a powerful closing argument focused on how it made much more sense to provide food to our country’s veterans than to spend X number of dollars a day keeping them in jail for trying to provide food for themselves.

Instead of relying on the crazy train to carry them on past those a possible prison sentence, Shirley relied on the judge’s (and our country’s) conscience to simply see the bigger picture and do the right thing.

Naturally, Shirley won. Rather than telling the veteran he should have applied for welfare and throwing him in prison, the judge reminded the prosecuting side of the moral obligations we as a country have when it comes to the men and women who defend us, and I walked away singing the National Anthem and wanting to donate money or food to…well, lots of people.

Tonight’s Boston Legal episode was an interesting theme combination for me. Animal rights and mental health and soldiers – all in one episode? It was all almost too much for my little advocate heart. However, in the end, I was pleased and not at all surprised – as the Boston Legal writers have always, in my opinion, handled mental illness in an entertaining way and without promoting stigma.

Image source and credit.

Post from: Blisstree

Boston Legal Takes On Mental Illness Once Again