Tom Cruise is dangerous and irresponsible Ushma S. Neill J Clin Invest. 2005;115(8):1964-1965. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI26200. Editorial Yes, even the JCI can weigh in on celebrity gossip, but hopefully without becoming a tabloid. Rather, we want to shine a light on the reckless comments actor Tom Cruise has recently made that psychiatry is a “quack” field and his belief that postpartum depression cannot be treated pharmacologically. We can only hope that his influence as a celebrity does not hold back those in need of psychiatric treatment. Find the latest version: https://jci.me/26200/pdf Editorial Tom Cruise is dangerous and irresponsible Yes, even the JCI can weigh in on celebrity gossip, but hopefully without Though it is hard to believe Cruise has becoming a tabloid. Rather, we want to shine a light on the reckless com- ample time to help legions of drug addicts, ments actor Tom Cruise has recently made that psychiatry is a “quack” field given his intense movie production and and his belief that postpartum depression cannot be treated pharmacologi- publicity responsibilities, it is admirable cally. We can only hope that his influence as a celebrity does not hold back that he tries. But he goes on to say, “I have those in need of psychiatric treatment. an easier time stepping people off heroin then I do these psychotropic drugs” (2). Several interviews have aired in which Tom in females) and is on average 3–5 inches. In his efforts to help drug abusers, Cruise Cruise has publicized his disdain for psy- Hyperbole on the part of Mr. Cruise, per- supports the Scientology-based 9-step chiatry and the mental health profession (1, haps? One would hope the child was under drug withdrawal program Narconon Inter- 2). In one interview, Cruise claimed to know the care of a medical doctor. national (6). Step 3 of Narconon is called the literature on the history of psychiatry, Cruise believes the education of children the “Purification Rundown,” in which chemical imbalances, and Ritalin (methyl- is suffering due to extensive Ritalin use. In drug residues and other toxic substances phenidate), the attention-deficit hyperac- connection to the drug, he said, “SAT scores are removed from the body through a tivity disorder (ADHD) drug (1). In another, have gone right down the toilet” (2). Not regimen of exercise, sauna, and nutritional he called actress Brooke Shields irresponsi- so, says the College Board, the non-profit supplements. In 1989, Everett R. Rhoades, ble for publishing a book on her battle with organization that designs, administers, and US assistant surgeon general, was quoted and treatment of postpartum depression, evaluates the SAT (scholastic aptitude test) as saying the concepts behind Narconon since he believes vitamins and exercise are and PSAT (preliminary SAT) among other could not be considered medically sound. all that is needed for treatment (2). tests and advanced placement courses. In Further, the Board of Mental Health in Throughout these and other interviews, a recent article about trends in test scores, Oklahoma concluded in 1991 that the high Cruise spewed a number of irresponsible the College Board said, “Consistent with a doses of vitamins and minerals adminis- statements, attempting to pass them off decade-long trend, SAT math scores have tered in the Purification Rundown could as facts. However, several of Cruise’s state- continued to rise. In 2002, the average SAT be potentially dangerous and therefore ments are very easy to dispel as false. math score rose two points to 516.” The declined to certify the program. While it is With regard to the number of children report does note that while “Verbal scores commendable for any person with a drug currently taking drugs to control ADHD, declined in 2002 [by 2 points] to an aver- addiction problem to seek help, state-cer- Cruise is quoted as saying “[Psychiatrists] age of 504 for the entire test-taking popula- tified, proven rehabilitation programs said, ‘Oh, you know, Ritalin is safe. It’s tion . The average verbal score for 2002 is should be sought. safe. It’s safe.’ Ritalin is an amphetamine” just 4 points higher than that of 1992” (5). I Let us move on to postpartum depres- (2). The National Institute on Drug Abuse would dare say this report does not indicate sion and chemical imbalances. Cruise pulls (NIDA) begs to differ. Ritalin (a stimulant, that SAT scores are going down the toilet. no punches when asked about his thoughts but not an amphetamine) has been shown My favorite part of this interview was on the existence of chemical imbalances: to amplify the release of dopamine and when Cruise equated psychiatrists to drug he claims there is no scientific evidence to thereby improve attention and focus in dealers. “You know what? I’m sure drug verify they exist, based on his reading of the individuals who have weak dopamine sig- dealers on the street, in some way, they are scientific literature (1). When asked about nals, such as those with ADHD (3). NIDA making money. That’s what I equate it to. drugs like Paxil for the treatment of post- goes on to note that ADHD patients do not Here is the thing: you have to understand, partum depression, he spoke plainly: “Let become addicted to Ritalin or similar med- with psychiatry, there is no science behind me tell you something: it is not a cure and ications when taken in the form and dos- it. And to pretend that there is a science it is actually lethal. These drugs are danger- age prescribed by doctors, and it has been behind it is criminal” (2). In Cruise’s eyes, ous . There is a hormonal thing that is reported that individuals with ADHD who there are a lot of us criminals, including going on that is . scientifically, you can are treated with Ritalin are significantly the 38,000 members of the American Psy- prove that. But when you talk about emo- less likely than those who do not receive chiatric Association (APA), who have issued tional chemical imbalances in people, there treatment to abuse drugs and alcohol when several statements disagreeing with many is no science behind that” (2). Again, I beg they are older (4). of Cruise’s exhortations about the mental to differ and so does 50 years’ worth of lit- Later in the same interview, Cruise dis- health field. I suppose now would also be erature (summarized in refs. 7, 8). While cusses how he “recently helped a family an appropriate time to mention my partic- indeed other theories have been proffered have their daughter get off [ADHD] drugs ular conflict of interest — I am the daugh- to explain depression, the idea that chemi- . We stepped the [7-year-old] child off the ter of a psychiatrist/neurologist. That said, cal or genetic imbalances may underlie drugs, got her vitamins and food. She has my father, and most responsible physicians, depression has been widely accepted. I won- calmed down now and she has grown seven are well-trained scientists who do not run der how an actor with Cruise’s educational inches in about four months” (2). If true, around willy-nilly dispensing controlled background (no course of study noted past this child should be examined for growth substances nor filling irresponsible pre- a high school degree) came to understand abnormalities, as a normal growth spurt scriptions to, in Cruise’s words, “drug the the medical literature and whether he occurs during puberty (12–14 years old piss” (2) out of their patients. would be conversant in the intricacies of 1964 The Journal of Clinical Investigation http://www.jci.org Volume 115 Number 8 August 2005 editorial the monoamine hypothesis or serotonin psychosomatic. Illness is a sign of weakness for their children and for themselves” (2). and noradrenaline signaling. and failure, and followers are encouraged Perhaps we should call Cruise and let him Brooke Shields said it best in her July 1, to treat their ailments with auditing (talk- know what we think? Despite his eager- 2005, New York Times Op-Ed column: ing through issues while attached to a bio- ness to speak with people on the phone, I “Comments like those made by Tom feedback device called an “E-meter” that is found it nearly impossible to find a phone Cruise are a disservice to mothers every- similar to a lie detector). Since all illness are number where I could reach him to get where. To suggest that I was wrong to psychosomatic in the eyes of a Scientolo- help with this editorial. But, should you take drugs to deal with my depression, gist, members believe that everything from decide to contact Cruise by mail, he can and that instead I should have taken vita- indigestion to AIDS can be cured through be reached care of Creative Artists Agency mins and exercised shows an utter lack of auditing and vitamins. L. Ron Hubbard, (9830 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, understanding about postpartum depres- the founder of Scientology and the author California 90212, USA) or care of Church sion and childbirth in general” (9). Rather of their main text, Dianetics: the modern sci- of Scientology International (6331 Holly- than Shields being the irresponsible one, ence of mental health (10), has been quoted wood Boulevard, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, I have found most women agree that it is as saying, “Leukemia is evidently psycho- California 90028, USA). Cruise’s message that Paxil is lethal and somatic in origin and at least eight cases that postpartum depression does not exist of leukemia had been treated successfully Ushma S.