I've been accustomed to mysteries, holy and otherwise…
““I've been accustomed to mysteries, holy and otherwise, since I was a child. Some of us care for orphans, amass fortunes, raise protests or Nielsen ratings; some of us take communion or whiskey or poison. Some of us take lithium and antidepressants, and most everyone believes these pills are fundamentally wrong, a crutch, a sign of moral weakness, the surrender of art and individuality. Bullshit. Such thinking guarantees tradgedy for the bipolar. Without medicine, 20 percent of us, one in five, will commit suicide. Six-gun Russian roulette gives better odds. Denouncing these medicines makes as much sense as denouncing the immorality of motor oil. Without them, sooner or later the bipolar brain will go bang. I know plenty of potheads who sermonize against the pharmaceutical companies; I know plenty of born-again yoga instructors, plenty of missionaries who tell me I'm wrong about lithium. They don't have a clue.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Denouncing psychiatric medication ignores the reality of mental illness and can lead to tragic outcomes; balanced view needed.
In simple terms: Medication can be essential for mental health.
Key Takeaway
Consider medical help when needed.
Themes
mental health
medication
stigma
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- clinical treatment
- support groups
- personal coping
Key Concepts
bipolar disorder
pharmaceuticals
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the risks of ignoring medication?
- How can society reduce stigma?
A Different Perspective
Medication may have side effects; not a cure‑all.