Well, I don't agree that there is not such thing as a chemical imbalance. I have one! He said that he is not saying that these problems aren't real. At least he acknowledges that! In my experience, I have found lithium to be necessary to maintain my sanity.
I feel offended when someone tells me that I don't need medication or that it is just a matter of discipline or will power, because they don't know anything about me and they are plain judging me. I feel like they say: "You chose to be like that.", something that is so false! However, there are some well intentioned people that DO acknowledge that there is a real, cerebral problem, but they are just against traditional medicine or methods. I know, from an uncle, that naturopaths has their "natural" version of lithium, for example. (By the way, lithium is an element found in nature and is also produced by the human body. Bipolars don't have enough of it in our bodies.)
But I think the decision to take medications is something very personal and others must respect. In my opinion, as in my case, it is better to take traditional meds than not taking anything if you need it while you educate yourself and learn other methods to keep your sanity if you plan to wean off of medicines. It wouldn't make any sense for me to wean myself off, lose my mind, and then... not being able to put in practice or learn the other methods.
Back to Tom Cruise...maybe he was nervous...but if he wasn't, he looked very ADD-ish in that interview...like he couldn't concentrate, he couldn't think or communicate clearly, couldn't make arguments quickly...also happens to me!LOL
Also, that "passionate", strongly driven behavior reminds me so much of bipolar mania...that is not to say that every person that has a different opinion from the mass or is passionate about his believes is crazy...but if his "passion" escalates to insane levels, then you will remember what I said. We just have to keep an eye on him.
By the way, strangely, I have never been a fan of his. It is now that I am starting to respect him as a serious person, perhaps because it is now that he has spoken about his beliefs. I think he didn't say anything insulting of Brook Shields. He was talking about the approach to solve her problem, not about her. Well, that was what I understood. But I want to make clear that I am not on his side, though.
Edited to add that as for the difference in age between him and Katie, I think it is very realistic that they have many things in common. Some people are age-less. Their behavior is totally detached of their age. Besides, if he is immmature and he is a guy that equals doble immature.
