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Yes, I'm an advocate for mental health and I use the word "crazy." So what?
Crazy. It’s a word, for the most part, that’s considered pejorative. I use it in the titles of all my plays, this blog, and even the name of my company. “Crazy for Life." "That's Just Crazy Talk." "Funny You Don't Look Crazy." “Crazy for Life Inspirations."
My career, in a nutshell (pun definitely intended), is to raise awareness, decrease discrimination, and reduce the stigma of mental illness. You may then, rightfully, question how I reconcile using the word "crazy."
It’s a form of empowerment; a means to reclaim my power. Well, actually to discover it altogether. It's a word that's been used to shame me, ostracize me, and marginalize me. Like the LGBTQ2+ community that’s taken back the word "queer" and has "gay pride," those of us with mental illness can have "mad pride" and have taken ownership of "crazy." To be clear, not all people with mental health issues want to use the word crazy or embrace mad pride. But for me, it creates a sense of self-efficacy and sovereignty.
It's also a way to poke fun at something that had control over me for so long. The humor isn’t meant to minimize other people’s pain along the journey of recovery from mental illness. It’s in no way meant to offend.
But laughter is my medicine—a medicine that’s as important, if not more, than the psychiatric medication I take. It's a tool I use to manage my illness, help me stay well, and, yes, empower myself.
I have a philosophy: If you have a psychiatric condition, it’s your choice whether to crack jokes about it. If you don’t have one, it’s off-limits.
Not everyone living with mental illness wants to poke fun at it. I get that. I respect that. But it should be our choice, not the political-correction police.
Now, in the name of empowering myself, here are a few funnies (groaners mostly) that I hope make you guffaw and giggle, at least a little.
- I ran down the street naked because I was in a psychotic episode. I was also a nude model. I don’t have any excuse for that.
- I had a conversation with this guy about mental health. I shared I had bipolar disorder and anxiety. He asked me if I was fixed yet. I said, “no, I still want children."
- I love fashion which makes taking my medication really hard. Most of the time my pills don’t match my outfit.
- To be fair I do have these beautiful peacock blue pills. They’re really pretty. Some days I can’t decide whether to swallow them or make them into earrings.
- I loved watching reruns of “Cheers." But don’t watch it when you’re paranoid. That theme song, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," will definitely make things worse.
- I wish having a mental illness was like having a mountain bike you wanted to sell. I could put it on e-bay and auction it off to the highest bidder. I’d make money and get rid of it all at the same time.
- One time at airport security, they asked me, “Do you have anything in my pockets?” I said, “No, except for the anti-psychotic medication.” Trust me: Don’t say that.
- My mom is so resilient. I don’t know anyone who could be this anxious for so long and survive. She’s like a hummingbird on cocaine.
- I wanted to ditch an annoying party guest. When they asked me what I did over the holidays, I told them "I went camping, went swimming, and went psychotic. What about you?" They went to get another drink and never came back.
