Normal or Nuts?

Having been treated for depression for a few years now, plus having mental illness run in my family,I am NOT in the least offended by the term "nuts"! Others should lighten up and get a sense of humor!

Reader's Digest has a long and storied career in condensing and distributing information on a vast subject area. Headlines catch readers. Insults do as well. Perhaps it would have been better to have titled this piece "Do I Need Professional Help?" The basic content was quite good and covered a variety of topics that could assist readers in securing that help. Please don't secumb to tabloid antics. It just is not up to your historical standard.

As a member of NAMI, I was notified of this RD article. I find the words offensive in the title and throughout the article. We wouldn't refer to persons suffering with cancer, diabetes, or heart disease to be "nuts". When will people accept that mental illnesses are treatable, biological brain disorders and people do recover and lead wonderful lives?! I am a STIGMA BUSTER--STIGMA MUST GO!!! As an Advocate, Family Member, and Consumer of MH Services, EDUCATION is the key!!

Having been "alerted" by the National Alliance on Mental Illness's (NAMI) Stigmabusters about this article, I read it. I am a lifelong sufferer of Bipolar Disorder, and I'm just not that offended. A layperson who has never been to a therapist would get a good impression of the concept, reading the sensible remarks of the professionals quoted here. I'm all for people not fearing to go for help if they need it. I think this article furthers the goals of mental health care.

I must say that although the topic is much needed along with education on these topics, your attempt at a catchy title and the continuing use of normal or nuts its offensive. I do not believe my son is nuts because he suffers from a mental illness. Just as I hope you would not insult someone with cancer so trivially, don't insult those with pshyciatric problems. Honestly, I don't think telling me I'm nuts will encourage me to seek the help I may need to cope with the illness or symptoms of such.

People suffering from mental illness should not be labeled as "nuts" or "crazy". I am very disappointed with RD for thinking it was PC to print an article with such verbiage. I am quite certain that the mental health professionals did not use these terms to discuss the questions presented to them.

I understand the concept behind this feature, but I find the casual, meant to generate a giggle approach highly offensive. RD does much good in disseminating valuable information. Cut the humor and present factual, real-life scenarios. "Am I nuts?" is an unfair way to characterize the enormous reality of mental illnesses, phobias, and other disorders. Our family has lived every day with that reality for many years and it is NOT a joking matter.

While I understand that the point of the article was to help clarify some behaviors, I find the categories of "normal" or "nuts" to be troubling. Did the mental health professionals who supplied some of the answers know that the questioners might be told they were "nuts?" Illness of any kind is a normal part of life, although it is not healthy. "Nuts" is a perjorative term. Why not write an ariticle informs without trivializing mental illness?

If you're completely crazy, come to my web site and leave a comment at my "I'm So Neurotic I..." section. Wendy Aron, author of Hide & Seek: How I Laughed at Depression, Conquered My Fears and Found Happiness www.wendyaron.com