I am getting very frustrated with the behaviour of some of the members of this forum, and this thread is pretty much the best demonstration of why. There is no need for the complete lack of civility that I have seen in this thread. And let me be clear that neither side is looking all that good to me right now.
1) Speculating about someone else's mental health is rude and unfair. I especially don't approve of derogatory labels like "batshit crazy". That will end now, or I will start moderating you as strictly as I would a rude conspiracy theorist. I have been very lenient with the non-CT members of the forum, and it appears that some of you are starting to feel like you are above the rules. If you appreciate the freedom I have given you here then don't force me into a position where I have to moderate you.
People with mental health issues often don't seek help due to the negative stigma associated with it. The only way that will change is if we all become more understanding and caring. Shaming people only hurts us all because they hide their issues instead of getting help.
2) As much as I disapprove of the behaviour in #1, jumping down someone's throat for expressing their opinion is almost as bad. While I don't approve of the way Smartcooky expressed it, I do agree that some people here are too quick to attack you if you express an opinion about mental health that they disagree with. It does seem like people are being told that they aren't allowed to have or express an opinion on the matter unless they are either a mental health professional or have personally experienced mental health issues. I disagree with that. People are allowed to have opinions (even wrong ones) and should not be attacked for expressing them. I will not moderate or punish people for expressing their opinions politely.
I have gone in and out of depression since I was a teenager, and I have serious confidence and social anxiety issues. So believe me when I say I can sympathize, and I understand it is way more complicated than people who don't suffer from these problems realize. It doesn't make sense that someone like Robin Williams who appeared so happy on the outside would be depressed and suicidal on the inside. I don't have a single reason to point to for my depression. I can't just decide to smile more and be happy. I can't explain why I was the least depressed right at a time when I had every right to be... like after my dad died in 2006. It doesn't make sense to me, so I don't expect others to understand it. But I still think they are entitled to an opinion and they are free to express it here as long as they are polite.
3) I do agree that saying "As an aside! Look, or worse, try to read and understand, DSM5." can come across as condescending and rude... but I can also see how it might not have been intended that way. It could also mean "Reading, never mind understanding, DSM5 is very difficult no matter who you are." So please, don't automatically assume someone was intending to be rude. Intending it as an insult would be something that would force me to have to moderate him, so I hope that is not how he meant it.
4) People are rude. We discuss controversial issues here that can make people angry, and that is eventually going to lead to some rudeness. But if I banned everyone who was ever rude in this forum there would be no one left (not even me). So please, as difficult as it might be, I'm asking is that you try to be more tolerant of rudeness. If that is something you feel you can't handle then this really isn't the right forum for you. This will never be a rudeness free zone because I don't have that kind of control over people.
If someone else irritates you then please take a step away from the forum for a while. I can't always tell when people are upsetting you... only you can see it and judge whether it is too much for you. So please, if someone is bothering you... step away.
