The first black(cloud) Prime Minister?

In a recent interview Gordon Brown denied rumours that he has been taking anti-depressant mdeication to help cope with the stress of his job. Until now, the media and comedy quiz show panelists have been content with poking fun at the Prime Minister’s rather dour personality. Of course, being someone who looks a bit miserable and taking medication for a mental health problem are quite different.

Whether or not Brown is taking medication for depression and stress allows us to pose the question, how would the public react if he or any other national leader admitted to such? In our macho, ubermenche obsessed western democratic culture, would evidence of emotional turmoil be seen as a weakness when it comes to governing?

My feeling is that many people would shrug such a revelation off, but the media would go at the story like a hungry dog at a bone. There would be no let up and continuous questioning of his/her mental stability, even if it was medically assured (as far as is possible) that said person was fit to do the job. How many Prime Ministers have been borderline or full blown alcoholics? How many have used illegal substances before or entering office? How many have been that to that dark place most people enter in times of difficulty when they question whether they can face another day?

I don’t believe in sanity. No one is sane, and if they are legally declared as such by the medical establishment they are merely acting in a manner which is acceptable in contemporary society. We all practice cognitive dissonance on a daily basis. How could we not do so when our tax money pays for high tech murder weapons which kill innocent men, women and children overseas? How would we continue lives of sports obsession and conspicuous consumption when in other parts of the world, starving children are stalked by vultures (WARNING LINKED PICTURE IS DISTURBING)?

No, everyone does what they can to get by in life. For full disclosure purposes, I should make clear my personal interest in this story by sharing my own history of depression as well as use of anti-depressant medication. I stopped taking medication over 2 years ago and am aware the ‘black clouds’ may descend on me at any point in my life, but the same can also happen to those who’ve never experienced depression etc before. Luckily I know the signs and symptoms now and can act accordingly.

When I’m not in a depressed state, I believe my ability to analyse and act appropriately in all situations is as good as anyone elses’. Having suffered from depression, I believe I understand other people and their actions much better than I otherwise would have. Perhaps a leader who fights his inner demons and wins is more able to fight the political battles he will almost certainly face, as well as having a greater understanding of his/her own strengths and limitations.

Brown is a terrible Prime Minister, but it’s not anything to do with his need for medication, if such a need exists.