# Could we stop the "take your meds" crap? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 15, 2003, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596 "2003-10-15T16:19:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/41 "2003-10-15T21:03:21Z")
[perspective] I have the sad distinction of owning the **[mother of all](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=4087546#post4087546)** med threads. [/perspective] > [@](#): > > _by Lynn Bodoni_ > And on a personal note, go get your meds adjusted. This is not an insult. I’ve had to have MY meds adjusted from time to time, so I know what it’s like. Humbly, I submit **Lynn** might wish to make some kind of proclamation about the use of _meds ad hominem_. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/42 "2003-10-15T21:05:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*Because I know that I am thoroughly despised by the vast majority of posters here, if they bothered to think about me at all, that is, and that posting a thread, any thread, is just opening myself up to personal attacks. \*\* Bro, you gotta get off that cross, there is no conspiracy against you. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/43 "2003-10-15T21:06:47Z")
> [@](#): > > This is exactly the underlying reasoning behind the political correctness movement. Why is it necessary to drag in the hoary shibboleth of “political correctness”? Can’t we refrain from making fun of retards and faggots and cripples and Hebes and mental defectives because making fun of them is _rude_? Why does there have to be an agenda behind being courteous to one’s fellow human beings? This post contains hyperbolic slurs for dramatic effect. If you’re upset by them, take a pill. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/44 "2003-10-15T21:08:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*. . . If I must err, I prefer to err on the side of kindness . . . \*\* Somebody call the police: someone–a nun, by the sound of it; or possibly a children’s-show host–has obviously made off with gobear’s computer and is posting under his username. Unless . . . _unless_ . . . **gobear** , did you recently up your meds? It’ll take some getting used to, this new kinder whinier you, but I must say it looks good on you. [Note to self: bookmark this page. I have a feeling I’ll be referring back to it in many future **gobear** exchanges, when he builds up resistance to his new dosage and his old “personality” begins to show through the cracks.] ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/45 "2003-10-15T21:10:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*Well, there are people on this board who are struggling with mental illness, but I doubt there are many getting a beatdown for fighting with the cops. > > If I must err, I prefer to err on the side of kindness, but maybe I’m wrong. \*\* I have difficulty interpreting **Airman Doors** ’ comments in the aforementioned thread as “erring on the side of kindness”, which is why I’m finding this all a bit incongruous. I prefer **Zabali\_Clawbane** ’s position. Or to put it another way, I would rather avoid hyperbole altogether. Regarding this “everybody despises me” idea: allow me to second **Lib** ’s emoticon. I’m not going to claim I adore you, but good grief! Perhaps you’re taking this board a bit too seriously? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/46 "2003-10-15T21:15:53Z")
**gobear** , I’m genuinely surprised that you say the vast majority of posters dislike you. I’ve disagreed with you before, but I don’t recall finding you obnoxious, deceitful, or mean-spirited. Have I just not been paying attention? As always, when I find out that some people are genuinely hurt by a phrase or mannerism that I considered innocuous, I’ll definitely take that into consideration; for the sake of politeness, I’ll do my best to avoid using the phrase around you, or around anyone else who I know will dislike it. However, I do deal with crazy people occasionally via my work, and it’s very often in an adversarial fashion (such as the guy who called our office yesterday describing in detail his desire to shoot one of our employees for her ostensibly poor driving habits). Whether the guy was just a grade-a asshole or was having a manic episode, it was very stressful to deal with his ranting, and joking about him as a lunatic was a way of dealing with that stress. I reserve the right to make such jokes when I’m not around you, or around other folks that I think will be offended by it. And, of course, I likewise reserve the right to make such jokes if I ever deliberately want to be rude. I generally try to avoid such over-the-top rudeness, but on rare occasions it’s appropriate. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![deb2world](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@deb2world](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deb2world)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/47 "2003-10-15T21:23:25Z")
**gobear** I do not know what is going on in your personal life or behind the scenes in your emails or even what is going on in some of the threads at the SDMB, but I have noticed lately a tendency for you to come across as insecure in your position here. It is sad to see you start this thread with such negativity in it about how other posters will perceive and react to your opinion without even allowing others to react. I also have noticed this flincing before being swung at is a recent thing for you, I didn’t notice it before. I have no great words of wisdom to give you more of a feeling of security here. I also am reticent to heap praise on you for a “love fest” cause I don’t think that will solve what seems a constant need for affirmation of our regard. So maybe you need to analyze your own position here and in real life to find where this insecurity is coming from **and** be honest with yourself about if this persecution is real or just a figment of yours or if you have just taken a passive-aggressive stance. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/48 "2003-10-15T21:26:47Z")
How about those cases where “take your meds” seems to be the right thing to say? There \* are \* posters on the SDMB who are in the habit of either posting while intoxicated or while otherwise mentally unfit to be out in public. In the past, there have been posters who have made a habit of starting up random pit threads at such periodic intervals that you had to suspect some kind of emotional instability. I’ve been the victim of an incoherent bushwhacking from someone who I’m certain was completely ripped at the time of posting. This is pretty unfair to the other users of the SDMB. How do you react to someone who takes a fairly inoffensive post as an excuse to go ballistic? I don’t think “take your meds” is any more offensive than “Why don’t you post when you’re capable of controlling your emotions?” or “Have you considered seeing a professional therapist?” ---
**Author:** ![musicguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@musicguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/musicguy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/49 "2003-10-15T21:33:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*I’ve seen a bazillion personal attacks in the Pit. > > 😕 \*\* Absolutely, and some are even well deserved. I just think more gets accomplished _even in the pit_ when the argument itself is attacked, rather than the person posting it. And making a comment about someone being on medication is, IMO, a bit below the belt. Like if someone called someones mother a whore. There just isn’t a need to get _that_ personal. I’m not saying that everyone needs to sweet to each other. And **gobear** , just for the record, I think you are a pretty cool guy. I don’t always agree with you and get annoyed at some of the snarkiness, but we all have our moments. I consider you to overall be a valuable contributer on here. Besides, it would be a damn boring place if we all agreed all of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/50 "2003-10-15T21:34:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > **Well, wishing to remove stigma is a worthwhile goal. I use the term “blue-nosed Offenderatti” to describe people who actively seek out occasions to be offended, as in Lissener’s example of Bob Greene’s column. I have no wish to be a fussbudget who wishes to be “sensitive” or to speak for other people.** Any elaboration on what types of behavior make a person a member of the “blue-nosed Offenderatti”? If there had been a segment of the deaf population who found Mr. Bush’s tagline offensive, would Mr. Greene still be a member of this group? I’m afraid I don’t understand the rules for deciding when someone is offended without cause(which, it is my understanding, is the main component of being a member of the Offenderatti) and when someone is legitimately offended on behalf of some minority who found the remark offensive.\*\* > [@](#): > > It’s just that I have heard these incredibly sad stories about the stigma the mentally ill have to face, their difficulties in finding employment and housing, and the unthinking cruelty they face from people who don’t understand the misery they endure, and it seemed to me that the way they feel when they hear someone say say “take your meds” was analogous to the way I feel when I hear “that’s so gay” used as a negative.\*\* Yep, it is the entire crux of the issue of political correctness. If some stigma, mental illness, homosexuality, race, etc., is invoked haphazardly by people who are not necessarially intending to offend anyone, but are simply ignorant of the difficulties of someone who actually faces those issues, then should they be called on it? Should those, like yourself with your newfound knowledge of the difficulties of those with a mental illness, with more knowledge of the subject attempt to enlighten people as to the offensiveness of their words? Should they ask people not to carelessly throw around terms like “gimp”, or “retard” because there are very real, and hurtful, consequences? If the answer is yes, then where does the line get drawn? Should we also ask people not to use terms like “shorty”, or “baldie”? I know what my personal rules are, but we’re talking about a wider society here.\*\* > [@](#): > > In any event, I thought it could do no harm to bring up the subject. Perhaps I was wrong. \*\* No, no harm done. In fact I see this as an opportunity to have an interesting discussion about political correctness. You see, it doesn’t stem, at least not for me, from a desire to censor others. It stems from compassion. Compassion that you have, admirably, shown yourself. A desire to keep those who suffer from mental illness, or any other stigmatized situation, from recieving gratutious insult. I’d like to think I’m reasonable, but who knows, maybe I’m just a blue-nosed offenderatti. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/51 "2003-10-15T21:45:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by musicguy \* > **Absolutely, and some are even well deserved. I just think more gets accomplished _even in the pit_ when the argument itself is attacked, rather than the person posting it. And making a comment about someone being on medication is, IMO, a bit below the belt. Like if someone called someones mother a whore. There just isn’t a need to get _that_ personal. I’m not saying that everyone needs to sweet to each other** Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/52 "2003-10-15T21:54:43Z")
I’m not sure how I would search for it, so I have no specific cite, and I’d be open to evidence to the contrary, but my _tone_ in this thread is because my take on **gobear** is that he’s a person who’s quick to snap at others, and has no qualms about insulting someone who’s pissed him off; and further, that he’d be among the first to decry as “political correctness” anyone else’s attempt to call him on it. His diatribes often have an “if you can’t stand the heat stay out of the kitchen” smell to them, so I’m kind of bewildered by this thread, unless it’s **A)** a passive-aggressively sincere cry for help, or **B)** a very subtle parody of the kind of whiners who seem to be **gobear** ’s frequent targets. Now, again, I’m open to being convinced that my impression of him is a false one, but until such time, I will continue to read this thread with eyes arolling. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/53 "2003-10-15T22:17:22Z")
> [@](#): > > His diatribes often have an “if you can’t stand the heat stay out of the kitchen” smell to them, so I’m kind of bewildered by this thread, unless it’s A) a passive-aggressively sincere cry for help, or B) a very subtle parody of the kind of whiners who seem to be gobear’s frequent targets This thread came about because I have spent the last 2 1/2 months listening to incredibly sad stories of the ravages of mental illness and I stupidly thought i had something to contribute. and no, this is not “a passive-aggressively sincere cry for help”–I only mentioned my personal feelings because **Lib** asked me why I thought I’d get flamed. He asked, I answered, and that’s all I’m going to say on that. ---
**Author:** ![Purple\_Scottie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a698b9/32.png) [@Purple\_Scottie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purple_Scottie)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/54 "2003-10-15T22:43:03Z")
I have a mental illness and everyday swallow a huge handful of meds which I’ll have to take for the rest of my life. Most of the time when I hear someone telling me to go take my meds I feel like they are just using one of many slang choices to convey that they think I’m way off base about something. I rarely feel that the intent is to demean or hurt me or other mentally ill. Sometimes though, it does sting a bit when some one I’m close to uses it to justify what they see as inappropriate feelings. I often feel that I’m expected to be more even keeled than those not on meds. Not all the sadness or really good moods that I have are due to a mood disorder. My medicine does not stop me from having a range of emotions but keeps me from going to extremes quite as easily or as randomly. My frustrations with people who say this to me is balanced by knowing that usually they are geniunely concerned about how I’m doing. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/55 "2003-10-15T23:41:51Z")
Thank you, clipper, exactly. If someone I don’t know, say on one of these forums, says “Go take your meds,” I take it as meaning the same thing as, “Oh, go take a long walk off a short pier.” However, I haven’t spoken to a sister since, during an argument she was losing, she sputtered, “why don’t you take another prozac,” when she knew very well that at the time I was being treated for major depression. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/56 "2003-10-16T00:10:37Z")
> [@](#): > > However, I haven’t spoken to a sister since, during an argument she was losing, she sputtered, “why don’t you take another prozac,” when she knew very well that at the time I was being treated for major depression. And yet here you are mocking someone sticking up for those who suffer from depression, as well as other illnesses. _Full disclosure_ I have a recurring problem with chronic depression and have done since childhood. I don’t talk about it to anyone lest they react exactly as **Lissener** has: “Oh, he just wants attention.” That’s why I can’t talk about it with my partner, so he doesn’t understand why I sit in a room by myself every few months or so. That’s why I’ve never brought it up on the boards before. The idea of being pitied or looked down on because of a personal flaw is repellent. But, yeah, go ahead and mock me, **Lissener**. Enjoy the feeling of superiority. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/57 "2003-10-16T00:18:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*Because I know that I am thoroughly despised by the vast majority of posters here, if they bothered to think about me at all, that is, and that posting a thread, any thread, is just opening myself up to personal attacks. This is NOT indicating self-pity; I’m just saying that I know what the score is and I don’t fool myself into thinking I have anyone on my side. \*\* WHAT? **gobear** , how did you get the impression that most people on the boards hate you? I’d say it’s the opposite! And I agree one hundred percent with what you have said! As most of you are aware, I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and am on Paxil to treat it. If there is one thing that sticks in my craw, it’s the stigma surrounding mental illness and disorders. Comments like, “Take your meds!” don’t help! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/58 "2003-10-16T00:18:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by clipper \* > **I have a mental illness and everyday swallow a huge handful of meds which I’ll have to take for the rest of my life. Most of the time when I hear someone telling me to go take my meds I feel like they are just using one of many slang choices to convey that they think I’m way off base about something. I rarely feel that the intent is to demean or hurt me or other mentally ill.** Straight from the horse’s mouth. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/59 "2003-10-16T00:33:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*And yet here you are mocking someone sticking up for those who suffer from depression, as well as other illnesses.B] No, here I am knowing the difference. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*_Full disclosure_ > > I have a recurring problem with chronic depression and have done > since childhood. I don’t talk about it to anyone lest they react exactly as **Lissener** has: “Oh, he just wants attention.” That’s why I can’t talk about it with my partner, so he doesn’t understand why I sit in a room by myself every few months or so. That’s why I’ve never brought it up on the boards before. The idea of being pitied or looked down on because of a personal flaw is repellent. > But, yeah, go ahead and mock me, **Lissener**. Enjoy the feeling of superiority. \*\* :rolleyes: whut_EV_er/ ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/60 "2003-10-16T00:35:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*And yet here you are mocking someone sticking up for those who suffer from depression, as well as other illnesses.B] No, here I am knowing the difference. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*_Full disclosure_ > > I have a recurring problem with chronic depression and have done > since childhood. I don’t talk about it to anyone lest they react exactly as **Lissener** has: “Oh, he just wants attention.” That’s why I can’t talk about it with my partner, so he doesn’t understand why I sit in a room by myself every few months or so. That’s why I’ve never brought it up on the boards before. The idea of being pitied or looked down on because of a personal flaw is repellent. > But, yeah, go ahead and mock me, **Lissener**. Enjoy the feeling of superiority. \*\* :rolleyes: whut_EV_er [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596.md?page=4)