My next post is an open thread, meaning I will start a discussion, and my readers are encouraged to respond with their opinion on the issue.
My focus for the thread is the "Beautifully Mad". There are many iconic figures throughout history and present day who have suffered from mental illness. I would like to ask my readers to follow up by commenting with the following information;
1. Who do you believe is the most influential US icon from past and present who has suffered/is currently suffering from mental illness.
2. What their mental illness is.
3. What they have done to make them most influential in your eyes.
4. Whether or not you believe their mental illness had anything to do with what they accomplished.
This is a friendly, open debate. All inputs are welcome and creativity is encouraged!
To me, the most influential US icon that suffered from a mental illness was Robin Williams. I love Robin Williams for two reasons: he put a smile on anyone and everyone's face, even when he didn't have one of his own; AND I empathize with his struggle with mental illness, as I was diagnosed with a mood disorder 4 years ago. The death of Robin Williams was tragic, but it also shed light on the severity of bipolar disorder. Ultimately, I hope that further research in the field will help others open up about mental illnesses. I think this blog is awesome, and I think it's even more awesome that you've opened up about your own struggles. You are NOT alone and I look forward to more postings!
ReplyDeleteAndrew W K has said openly he suffers from depression. He does a lot of motivational speaking these days, and a lot of it really reaches out to people who may not have felt like part of an audience like that before. It helped him go from "that guy with the blood who writes all those songs about partying" to a pretty big positive influence on his fans.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't consider him an icon but L. Ron Hubbard suffered greatly from an diagnosed mental illness and it's believed that he created Scientology from trying to provide himself with therapy and the progression of Scientology coinsides with the progression of his metal illness. Idk if that answers the question but I was learning about this recently in another class and it's interesting how his mental illness affects so many people.
ReplyDeleteAll are great inputs and this question is strictly opinion. Where I was going with this thread is mental illness can be both a blessing and a curse. Although there are obviously some pitfalls, mental illness gives individuals a different way of thinking.
ReplyDeleteMany individuals with mental illness have acted as iconic figures over the years e.g. all of your responses as well as Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, Steve Jobs, and many other creative geniuses. These individuals are often times very creative individuals, and their illness acts as an asset to them. I believe that all of these individuals' accomplishments were closely related to their illnesses.