Comments on: Back from the semi-dead: Funny or Offensive?

By: John M.

John M. — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:07:16 +0000

Funny as a crutch.

But I looked pretty funny when I went toxic on meds and needed crutches too.

By: Rhi

Rhi — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 03:54:04 +0000

I’m a Brit, and it was funny, I’m not sure if it’s meant to be true or someone poking a bit of fun, but I definitely think it’s funny (although would probably be offended if I was in a bad mood).

By: SallyT

SallyT — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:38:15 +0000

I find the scenario of being strapped to the bed, ready for that first shock, then reprieved at the last second by a nurse (what doctor would actually NOT proceed?) completely unbelievable.

By: Sherry

Sherry — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:53:26 +0000

I’m Irish and I think it’s quite funny. I liked it a lot.

Seriously, I have dual citizenship, have lived in the US and Ireland. I find in the US no one–including (especially?) mental “health” professionals–have even the dimmest notion of what I go through in my dealings with major depression.

In Ireland, on the other hand, people with absolutely NO mental health history get it right away. My cousin immediately said “Aah, the depression! Sure, it’s an awful old thing. I don’t have it myself but I know lots of people who do.” I felt better just hearing her say this.
It’s nice to be understood.

I’m always much less depressed in Ireland because at least I don’t feel isolated and alone. (Oh, excuse ME, I meant to say–as I’ve been coached by my US “helpers”–that I isolate myself. What a naughty girl I am! They should lock me up and drug me, don’t you think?)

Sherry (in a snarky mood)

By: mark p.s.

mark p.s. — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:56:20 +0000

Funny and offensive yes to both. It pokes fun at the reasoning for ECT, and the imagined last second reprieve of the fictional ONE shock. Overall I’ld say its a pass, to poke fun of the diagnositics and treatments of psychiatry.

By: RobotDancers

RobotDancers — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 02:11:03 +0000

Oh, I definitely laughed at that but I laugh at so many things that it’s hard to keep track.

Mostly I laughed because I thought “When he wears that I love NY tee shirt all people are going to think about is the VH1 show and how they can’t believe NY picked Tailor Made.”

MmmmHmmm *snap snap*

That might just be me though.

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 02:00:35 +0000

That’s a hoot!!

I loved this: “I kept telling them this was all pointless, and they said that was exactly the sort of attitude that got me here in the first place.’”

I love Brits.

By: Kent

Kent — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:28:58 +0000

Definitely more funny than offensive (as far as I can tell). As someone who has often suffered from “pervasive negative anticipation”, I think I can relate to Mr. Farthing’s state of mind. I also think that changing a diagnosis from clinically depressed to “rather quaint and charming” could actually be helpful to many others, just because the kind of treatment offered might be an improvement.