# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/61 "2003-10-16T01:34:29Z")
First off, **gobear** , I think you’re a generally swell guy, and I suspect I’m not in a minority there. Also, your revelation about chronic depression is… well, I’m not exactly shocked over here. Anyway, that’s all beside the point. What I’m wondering is, what exactly is the difference between asking someone, “Are you off your meds?” and asking someone “Are you fucking insane?” It seems these are just variations on a theme. Are you uncomfortable with both of these phrases, or do you see some qualitative difference between the two? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/62 "2003-10-16T01:59:13Z")
I’m not a fan of those types of comments myself. Nor do I like “are you retarded” stuff, crap about going back and learning how to read, intentionally fucking w/someone’s user name etc. all of which, to me, have the same grade school quality about them ‘nanana boo boo, I’m rubber you’re glue’. not that I claim to have never done any of the above, just that _generally_ I tend not to. I also don’t like the whole “liar” schtick, when what’s really meant is “I believe you’re factually mistaken” I mean really, if that’s the **best** you can come up w/ to counter the other person’s points, aren’t you really admitting that yours isn’t as strong as you’d like? ---
**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, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/63 "2003-10-16T02:10:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wring \* > \*\*I mean really, if that’s the **best** you can come up w/ to counter the other person’s points, aren’t you really admitting that yours isn’t as strong as you’d like? \*\* Or you could be making a comment or an observation. I think **Miller** hit the nail on the head. As far as I’m concerned it’s akin to asking if they are insane. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/64 "2003-10-16T02:20:16Z")
For whatever it’s worth, I never saw any reason to dislike **gobear**. Still don’t. However. I am getting thoroughly sick and tired of the “mind what you say because someone may be offended or hurt” school of political correctness. I do not condone calling anyone names, or deliberately hurting someone’s feelings. If I tell you, “You know, I think you’re a loony-tune” it is NOT intended to be a comment on your actual mental health. I know some people here are friends, and know one another well, but the majority of us are total strangers to one another. If you’re going to take offense at something that has no real power to harm you, or at someone whose opinion will actually make no real difference in your life, you need to grow a thicker skin\*. (\*Apologies ahead of time to the collagen-deficient.) ---
**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, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/65 "2003-10-16T02:52:36Z")
Again, I have no wish to dictate speech or to hurt anyone’s feelings. It just seemed to me that the stigma that people with profound mental illness have (and I talk to people who really can’t function every day) needs to be addressed. Folks here would never mock people with cancer, or with AIDS, yet it seems okay to mock people with crippling mental illness. I know **Clipper** say he is not bothered by the “Take your meds” comments, but I talk to people every day who are hurt by comments like that. And I’m going to be nicer to **Lissener**. He has a lot of hate in him, and maybe if we could be friends, that might change. We will all be changed, in the twinkling of an eye. ---
**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 16, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/66 "2003-10-16T04:16:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > > We will all be changed, in the twinkling of an eye. Oh yeah? My last trumpet case was Corinthian Leather. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![lucwarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@lucwarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucwarm)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/67 "2003-10-16T06:25:05Z")
For what it’s worth, if somebody (1) posts like a lunatic; and (2) shits all over me in the process; I feel ok about saying “go take your meds!!” (In the Pit of course). I don’t see why I should be particularly concerned with the feelings of somebody who is launching inappropriate attacks on me. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/68 "2003-10-16T11:38:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*Folks here would never mock people with cancer, or with AIDS, yet it seems okay to mock people with crippling mental illness. I know **Clipper** say he is not bothered by the “Take your meds” comments, but I talk to people every day who are hurt by comments like that. > > \*\* But again, I’d have to think that most of the time when people use the phrase they have no idea if the recipient is taking any medication. In those cases, anyway, they’re not mocking anyone’s mental illness but rather their behavior, employing hyperbole to get their point across (“I think you’re acting weird”). ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/69 "2003-10-16T12:59:44Z")
I’m on meds and I’m bisexual and I’ve spent my whole life watching my dad do a whole lot of work in special education. I’ve been known to say “up your dosage” and “dude, that is SO GAY” and and call my friends “'Tard.” Then again, perhaps I’m just an insensitive clod. Wait - no “perhaps” on that, really. But when words or phrases are used in obvious jest and without actual hate, I just can’t be offended by them. There are exceptions which should be obvious, I suppose. Jokes which are intended to put someone from one of those groups in a bad light piss me off, for example. But saying “people who are bipolar are fucking freakish insane shits” is one thing; saying “godDAMN, a Xanex would do you good” is not. Saying “AIDS is God’s punishment against those sick fucking faggots” is one thing; saying “Omigod, that Humvee with the flames painted on the sides is SO GAY” is another. ---
**Author:** ![TVAA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TVAA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVAA)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/70 "2003-10-16T13:10:05Z")
I concur with most of the preceding statements. I’m also concerned by the implication that any weird or unpleasant ideas are necessarily the result of illness, and should be responded to with psychoactive medication. ---
**Author:** ![Aries28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Aries28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aries28)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/71 "2003-10-16T13:15:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Otto \* > **Why does there have to be an agenda behind being courteous to one’s fellow human beings?** As **Otto** so wonderfully pointed out in an earlier post…how about just because it’s **rude**? If you are truly worried about someone and their medication, why not take it off board and email them privately? Why post it out in the open for all to see? There have been several instances lately where I had no idea a poster took medication and I wouldn’t have unless someone pointed it out by suggesting they needed to “go take their meds”. And **gobear** , next to my beloved **Sauron** you are my most favorite poster here. I definitely don’t always agree with you and sometimes I think you get so hung up on your own opinion that you block out things others are trying to tell you but I truly admire your knowledge and respect you tremendously. ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/72 "2003-10-16T13:50:59Z")
I hope it was just bad timing – that follows me like the plague – which caused you to post that people on the SDMB dislike you after my jokey comment. Which reminds me, I better go take my meds. ---
**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, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/73 "2003-10-16T14:04:25Z")
Well, I thought I’d get flamed, and I was right. It was stupid of me to think I had anything worthwhile to contribute or that mental illness stigma was a subject worthy of discussion. Thank you to the posters who offered kind, although deeply undeserved, comments. I apologize for wasting your time. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/74 "2003-10-16T14:06:27Z")
Bloody _hell._ Folks, it’s simple courtesy: If someone politely says “The phrase you’re using bothers me; please don’t use that phrase,” it’s **common courtesy** to attempt not to use the phrase. Unless you’re one of the Knights Who Say “Ni,” and you can’t stand one of the most common words in the English language. And **lissener** , I’m having a difficult time understanding your position on this. You admit that you’ve been deeply offended by someone using this very tactic on you during an argument, and yet you mock **gobear** for suggesting people not use this tactic? It’s possible for someone you don’t like to still be right, you know. ---
**Author:** ![Aries28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Aries28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aries28)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/75 "2003-10-16T14:12:14Z")
**gobear** …I think your point was a valid one regardless of who posted otherwise. This subject touches you deeply because of the work you are doing currently. I used to work with Alzheimer’s patients and I quickly gained a whole new respect for elderly people and I cringe whenever I think someone is being belittled or hurt due to their being old. It IS a suject worthy of discussion and you have not wasted anyone’s time. [aside] Are you okay? How is your sister doing? [aside] ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/76 "2003-10-16T14:12:38Z")
**gobear** : I agree with the premise of your thread. However, your last post (which snuck in while mine was attempting to load, apparently) is definitely eyeroll-worthy. C’mon, man, you’re better than self-pity. ---
**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, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/77 "2003-10-16T14:59:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sauron \* > \*\ ***gobear** : I agree with the premise of your thread. However, your last post (which snuck in while mine was attempting to load, apparently) is definitely eyeroll-worthy. > > C’mon, man, you’re better than self-pity. \*\* **Sauron** , this is isn’t self-pity. This why I should not have admitted that I have chronic depression or expressed my feelings because people think that it’s just a mood or self-pity. It’s a defect of brain chemistry that can’t just be willed away or be reasoned out of. Here is some [information.](http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7725) I know this is temporary and that it will lift, but during an episode, I feel like I’m at the bottom of a very black well. **Aries28** : My sister finally went to see a specialist who said that the earlier diagnosis of cancer was wrong. Big sighs of relief because it runs in the family. Thank you for your concern. ---
**Author:** ![Aries28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Aries28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aries28)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/78 "2003-10-16T15:06:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > [B **Aries28** : My sister finally went to see a specialist who said that the earlier diagnosis of cancer was wrong. Big sighs of relief because it runs in the family. Thank you for your concern. \*\* Wonderful! I sent you an email to your hotmail account today asking the same thing, so please just ignore it now. 🙂 ---
**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, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/79 "2003-10-16T15:10:14Z")
Maybe you shouldn’t post during your “episodes” then. ---
**Author:** ![Aries28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Aries28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aries28)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596/80 "2003-10-16T15:17:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Maybe you shouldn’t post during your “episodes” then. \*\* And maybe people shouldn’t post when they are drunk…or sad…or pissed off…or sick…or bitchy…or not thinking clearly due to grief…etc. So only people who are “sane” and not posting from their emotions or from anger or from anything else are allowed here? That’s ridiculous. As long as someone isn’t being a jerk or breaking the rules set forth by the CR then why should they be told not to post? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-stop-the-take-your-meds-crap/207596.md?page=5)