Mike Tyson: Manic Depressive?
bjc...@azstarnet.com
Mike Tyson and his antics. However, I felt compelled to post this
separate thread after reading a news report today that suggested that
Tyson's daily medication, namely the anti-depressant Zoloft, which the
report indicated he was taking for his "mood swings," had been withheld
from him and may have resulted in his latest TV-tossing episode. My
mouth fell open as I realized what the report was suggesting.
If the reports are correct and Tyson suffers from bipolar disorder,
commonly known as manic depression, my thinking about him changes
dramatically. I do not excuse his behavior -- but I have more of an
understanding of what is at the root of his troubles. I have heavily
researched this particular mental illness as we have a victim of bipolar
disorder in my immediate family. Tyson's behavior -- from his rages to
his inappropriate sexual behavior to the insane spending sprees to his
inability to get along with his managers and the people around him -- in
fact much of his negative behavior is entirely symptomatic of a bipolar
patient -- and the reasons behind it become much more clear to me.
I had not heard this illness mentioned about Tyson before. But then
again I don't closely follow boxing nor do I pay attention to Tyson all
that much. Has this diagnosis been reported in the news prior to this
time? And if the condition was well known by the authorities, I have an
awful lot of questions about why he was allowed to continue boxing under
these circumstances.
Many BP victims can adequately function when properly medicated. But
Tyson's problems were so extreme, it is a mystery to me -- and perhaps a
disservice to him -- that his illness was not taken more seriously. It
could have saved him a lot of heartache not to mention jail time.
Sheri
Artclemons
>Many BP victims can adequately function when properly medicated. But
>Tyson's problems were so extreme, it is a mystery to me -- and perhaps a
>disservice to him -- that his illness was not taken more seriously. It
>could have saved him a lot of heartache not to mention jail time.
>
Prison systems hate to give prisoners drugs which affect mood. They frankly
don't give a damn if a prisoner is mentally ill or not. It should also be
noted
that many prisoners at any time are mentally ill, and medically eligible for
treatment. Of course, many drug abusers are also self medicating too,
but ignoring them for a moment, the implications for let's sending Tyson to
prison for behavior that in part is a result of mental illness raises
interesting
questions about the judicial system and his sentence. It also should be
noted that the report for the Nevada boxing commission mentioned that
Tyson should be medicated for any underlying mental illness.
If I had to guess about numbers, I'ld say that fully 60% of the prisoners I've
met have had underlying mental illness. This society seems opposed to
allowing mental illness as an excuse or explanation for some crimes, and
indeed crazy folks volunteering to be executed for example are a constant
feature of the death penalty.
-art clemons-
morp...@my-dejanews.com
bjc...@azstarnet.com wrote:
> Many BP victims can adequately function when properly medicated. But
> Tyson's problems were so extreme, it is a mystery to me -- and perhaps a
> disservice to him -- that his illness was not taken more seriously. It
> could have saved him a lot of heartache not to mention jail time.
>
> Sheri
I knew he had some sort of problem but I did not know it was BP disorder.
In the earlier days of his boxing career, I read something about he was
molested as a child. This would account for his problems in the sexual
area. This would also account for his rage. Apparently, it happened when
he was very young. I also read how an actress named Kristi McNichols
developed BP disorder after overworking. I agree there is no justification
for Tyson's actions. However, such individuals are not in a rational state
of mind 100% of the time. Sometimes they can religiously take their
medications and some slight change in their body chemistry can render
the medication ineffective. People are living viable entitites. They are not
fixed in time so a medication will work all of the time. I have no idea what
can be done about Tyson. Until something is figured out, he needs to be
locked up for his own protection for the protection of the rest of society.
-morpheme-
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Alice Holman
Artclemons wrote:
>
> If I had to guess about numbers, I'ld say that fully 60% of the prisoners I've
> met have had underlying mental illness. This society seems opposed to
> allowing mental illness as an excuse or explanation for some crimes, and
> indeed crazy folks volunteering to be executed for example are a constant
> feature of the death penalty.
Interesting you should mention this. Our sunday newspaper did a headline on this
very issue. That many of the young kids slammed into prison and juvenile
facilities should actually be treated for the mental illnesses that caused their
behavior - rather than punishing them for being sick. A report by the Human
Rights Watch condemned the Colorado prison system for its behavior. There were
deep cuts in mental health care and instead, folk who should have been medicated
were put in solitary confinement, etc. It was estimated that one in four (of a
group of 1500) were in serious need ot mental health help as opposed to
punishment.
But we are off (as a society) and running with the "zero tolerance" trip and the
heck with crazy folk. They no longer exist.
alice
>
>
Sheri Hill
> I knew he had some sort of problem but I did not know it was BP disorder.
Just to be accurate, as I stated in my initial post, I do not know for what
mental illness Tyson was prescribed Zoloft or that he in fact suffers from is
bipolar disorder. In reading the many detailed accounts of his negative
behavior, and coupling that with reports that he suffers from mood swings and
was prescribed Zoloft, I am surmising that this might be the diagnosis. I just
wanted to be clear about my statements.
The late Phil Hartman's (late) wife, Bryn Hartman, probably suffered from the
same illness. It is dangerous and it is serious.
> In the earlier days of his boxing career, I read something about he was
> molested as a child. This would account for his problems in the sexual
> area. This would also account for his rage. Apparently, it happened when
> he was very young.
All true, but he has been prescribed this drug for some reason and factors
individually could account for his behavior, it is more than likely his problems
are the collective result of his illness. Without a diagnosis and the drug, I
would agree with you without question.
> I also read how an actress named Kristi McNichols
> developed BP disorder after overworking.
You would be stunned at how many celebrities suffer from manic depression. One
of the trademark characteristics of many BP victims is they are quite often
highly creative, talented and intelligent. They often have grandiose ideas in
their sense of self which I believe explains why so many end up in the
entertainment arena.
I'm not sure what you were reading, but BP disorder is a chemical imbalance that
has nothing to do with overworking. She may have suffered a rage or manic
episode or had a psychotic event following a stressful period of overworking,
but the psychosis would be the result of the illness not overwork. When a
patient is a period of mania, they feel an extended high and can go days without
sleep. Finally, they become exhausted and can literally break down. I would
imagine that this is what happened with Nichols, who is often mentioned with the
list of celebrities who have publicly stated that that they are BP.
A short list of others (the list I have is well over 300) who have stated
publicly that they are bipolar:
Robert Boorstin, writer, special assistant to Pres. Clinton
Rosemary Clooney, singer
Dick Cavett, writer, media personality
Kitty Dukakis, former First Lady of Massachusetts
Patty Duke (Anna Pearce), actor, writer
Connie Francis, actor, musician
Peter Gabriel, musician
Shecky Greene, comedian
Kristy McNichols, actor
Kate Millett, writer
Charley Pride, musician
Axl Rose, musician
Ted Turner, entrepreneur, media giant (U.S.)
Jonathon Winters, comedian, actor, writer, artist
> Sometimes they can religiously take their
> medications and some slight change in their body chemistry can render
> the medication ineffective. People are living viable entitites. They are not
> fixed in time so a medication will work all of the time.
This is true. And frankly the meds -- and the control sometimes by BP victims'
relatives over administration of the drugs -- can be scary. But a patient who
is properly medicated and following the recommendation of the doctors gets
regularly blood tests and needs to work closely with their psychopharmacologists
to get the right mix of medication -- called a cocktail -- as what works for one
patient may not work for another and what meds should be taken during a manic
episode is not indicated for a period of depression.
An example is that Lithium is a common drug prescribed for BP disorder.
However, for whatever reason, it causes an adverse reaction in Black males
(experts are unsure why) that can be fatal, so Lithium is rarely prescribed to
Black male patients.
> I have no idea what can be done about Tyson. Until something is figured out,
> he needs to be locked up for his own protection for the protection of the rest
> of society.
That may be true -- but I'm just not sure if the lockup should be in a prison or
a mental hospital. That is the problem.
Sheri