Psychiatrists think Cruise should have head examined

By Jeannette Walls with Ashley Pearson

MSNBC

Updated: 2:40 a.m. ET Jan. 21, 2004

The American Psychiatric Association is concerned that some comments by Tom Cruise could prevent people who need help from getting it.

The “Last Samurai” star has been blasting psychiatry, and reportedly said the profession should be “outlawed.” “I think [psychiatry] is an utter waste of time,” Cruise said, according to IMDB.com.

“There’s nothing scientific about it. Communication is a good thing, but I think people get more mentally out of having a good meal or going for a walk. I think psychiatry should be outlawed.”

“It’s like arguing that the earth is flat,” Dr. James Scully, the Medical Director of the American Psychiatric Association, told The Scoop. “Psychiatry is a branch of medicine supported by substantial research. . . . Comments like that are absurd. . . . If someone is suffering and needs to get help, it would be a shame if they do not get the help that could help them because a celebrity says something.”

Would Dr. Scully welcome a dialogue with Cruise? “A dialogue? Yes. We’d welcome an open dialogue. A Scientology speech? No,” says Dr. Scully, referring to Cruise’s religion, which is opposed to psychiatry. “We don’t find discussions about Scientology useful.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4010495/