When I'm scanning through the news looking for interesting stories about depression, I frequently come upon articles about depressed celebrities. While I think that it is wonderful that celebrities who genuinely are suffering from depression are becoming so open about it, I also think the media are very quick to jump on the word depression and assume that it must be clinical depression. After all, if a famous person has a mental disorder, that sells more magazines than saying so-and-so felt a little sad about their divorce. People want to read about drama, not the normal ups and downs everyone faces.
Actress and singer Mandy Moore claims she fell victim to this very thing. On a recent episode of the ABC talk show "The View" she said that a comment she made to a magazine was "completely misconstrued" and "went everywhere" making her feel like "a poster child for something I don't suffer from."
"I sort of casually mentioned I was going through, like, a blue period and felt sort of depressed and that was what motivated me to start writing for this record," said Moore.
In response to Barbara Walters' declaration that the issue was now clarified, Moore added, "No depression. Never was depressed."
Clearly, Ms. Moore was quite frustrated that her words had been twisted and used in a way that she never intended. Should journalists be more careful about claiming that celebrities have depression? Share your opinion below.
I think the media and public are quick to label Britney Spears as “Bipolar.” I have heard stories through the media that Britney has Bipolar, but I don’t believe any of it until the celebrity in question actually comes out and declares that he/she is mentally ill.
The thing that bothers me about the labeling is the fact that there is a HUGE difference between everyday blues and clinical depression. The media puts these labels out there and people buy into the idea that being sad is being sick and that is bull. It is being normal. Anybody who SUFFERS from depression will tell you there is no comparison between sad and depressed.
What I can’t stand is when a Mike
Wallace or celebrity announced that
“Yes, I did suffer from depression
but I’m cured now. Cured?!!!It like
diabetes. It’s something I’ll have to
manage the rest of my life. People in
AA are always suspicious when celebs
talk about their sobriety. I know it’s
cruel but only people who really suffer
from depression know who does and who
doesn’t.