Academic

??Mad Pride? Fights a Stigma?

By Ann Bartow

That’s the title of a NYT article about “Mad Pride,” featuring the awesome blogger Liz Spikol, and USC (the other USC) law prof Elyn Saks, here. Below are two excerpts:

… About 5.7 million Americans over 18 have bipolar disorder, which is classified as a mood disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Another 2.4 million have schizophrenia, which is considered a thought disorder. The small slice of this disparate population who have chosen to share their experiences with the public liken their efforts to those of the gay-rights and similar movements of a generation ago.

Just as gay-rights activists reclaimed the word queer as a badge of honor rather than a slur, these advocates proudly call themselves mad; they say their conditions do not preclude them from productive lives. …

…Ms. Spikol writes about her experiences with bipolar disorder in The Philadelphia Weekly, and posts videos on her blog, the Trouble With Spikol.

Thousands have watched her joke about her weight gain and loss of libido, and her giggle-punctuated portrayal of ECT. But another video shows her face pale and her eyes red-rimmed as she reflects on the dark period in which she couldn?t care for herself, or even shower. ?I knew I was crazy but also sane enough to know that I couldn?t make myself sane,? she says in the video. …

Full post as published by Feminist Law Professors on May 10, 2008 (boomark / email).