A lot of people are spilling ink over Charlie Sheen and his antics, citing his mania as “crazy”…I find, after thinking about his rants, that I disagree:

He’s an angry, self-involved, spiled t#@t who has been coddled and protected from the consequences of his actions. Does he have a drug problem? Probably, but it is possible to conquer addiction through willpower — or in his case, maybe not. His statements about his drug use make me think he is fully aware of the consequences of ingesting massive amounts of crap, and that he is proud of his ability to do it. More power to him.

I also find agree with him that we rush to quickly to “disorder diagnose” everything under the sun. Angry about something (or nothing)? Anger or Personality Disorder (formerly known as being a mean cuss.) Think you’ve the “blood of a tiger and Adonis-like DNA”? Narcissistic Disorder (formerly know as being a self-involved t#@t.)  Have trouble paying attention because you lack discipline? ADD. You’re sad all the time? Depression! Disthymia! Bipolar!

I suffered from depression for years, and still have the odd bout.. I was on all manner of anti-depressants…and one day I suspected that if it had been a case of serotonin uptake, I’d feel better after a half decade of being on the crap. I realized that I allowed myself to be depressed because it allowed me to act as I felt like: I was a whiny, spoiled bitch.

Once I started taking possession of my behavior, I could correct it. I learned to realize the feedback loop of thoughts that would spin me into depression or make me nearly-uncontrollably angry — and I would challenge the thought process. It worked where drugs and therapy didn’t (You’re better off spending the $120/hour on drinks with your friends and having them give you honest advice. They know you, they usually know your situation, and they usually come up with some stellar ideas. Sometimes they challenge you because you’re being a whinging git.) That doesn’t mean therapy can’t help some people, but it you’ve been at it for 20 years — you’re being fleeced. I’ve used therapy get a dispassionate opinion on major decisions, and find it’s sometimes a good idea.

Yes, there are physiological issues for some that require medication. You can’t will yourself out of schizophrenia. Yes, there are people who are easily addicted to behaviors, drugs, booze, food…but these are behaviors that can be broken with willpower and staying the hell away from the stuff. (Craig Ferguson puts it best: “I don’t have a drinking problem…but I can get one real fast.” If you know you like the sauce, DON’T DRINK. If you know you have an addictive personality, DON’T START SMOKING/SNORTING/ SHOOTING dope.

Then there are people — like Sheen and many other Hollywood types — who aren’t so much insane, as they feel entitled to act out. He’s a spoiled brat that’s been let off the hook for bad behavior that would put us in jail, all because he makes movies and TV shows that make money. Hence his “winning!” remarks. If they want to change his behavior…make him pay for his actions.