What's so funny about mental illness? | Ruby Wax

[@ninjaesther]

i've honestly watched this so many times it makes me feel okay for not being okay

[@uptowncommentaries5175]

You are okay no matter what people say, you were perfectly & wonderfully created :)

[@CezarMS1]

esther_wade_ I feel ya.

[@alyssavocadoo]

You aren't alone!

[@Handel9000]

😊👍

[@saratf]

Yes! So true!

[@marianthichaniotaki6843]

Im happy knowing that there are people like her in the world

[@WorldPreSchool]

Yes

[@bjscheid1]

She's a truth teller and an amazing soul.

[@sarab5132]

She's great!

[@XxCharlotteGuineaxX]

I love how she presents this in a positive way, trying to get people to see the fun side of things rather than just stating facts. It really helps people understand, I think this would have a good impact on people who haven't experienced it.

[@SarahRoss15685]

Exactly!

[@KatzeARL]

Well, except that she wants to say there's nothing funny about mental illness while making fun of it. Uhm. Right.

[@XxCharlotteGuineaxX]

Ramm Katze She's putting it in a way that others can understand. She's not trying to say it's not funny, she's trying to say we don't have to act like it's some military secret when talking about it.

[@KatzeARL]

Yes, it's the assumption that others won't get it unless she explains it in her very special way that rubs me the wrong way. That and the fact that I don't find her funny.

[@XxCharlotteGuineaxX]

Ramm Katze If you don't like her, why watch her? I'm assuming that if you failed to put the ideas of disliking her and not watching her videos together, she would indeed have to explain in a simple way...

[@hadi2397]

I can totally relate to everything she says. Especially the,"perk up.... Because I didn't think of that."

[@addjewelry]

Orange When I was hospitalized for depression, someone who visited me said as they were leaving, “Cheer up.”

[@geepersweepers3184]

addjewelry- That happens literally every time I try to talk to my mother about my depression. I think she and my father secretly don’t believe in it and every time I try to talk to them about it they dismiss it as if I were talking to them about something stupid. They are either extremely ignorant or they don’t care. I just don’t know anymore.

[@sari6522]

Me tooooo

[@EstherBrownley]

That made me laugh so loud!

[@dasiasamedy7262]

"how come when people have mental damage it's always an active imagination" preachhh

[@ojorumiogedoh3275]

Dasia Renee because they have the ability to create In their mind but the are doing it subconsciously...they aren't consious of what they are doing

[@PapillonOrchid]

I've been depressed and schizoaffective for YEARS, almost my whole life, and this woman has finally, somehow, through satire and science, made me feel at peace with that. Thank you Ruby.

[@henrycrabs3497]

LOL

[@dokhanhngan5296]

I love you. I hope you will be okay. I love your existence. Be strong pls

[@mxzel]

"how come every other organ in your body can get sick and you get sympathy.. expect for the brain"

[@itslinknotzelda6154]

because to people they think you do it on purpose because your brain is what drives thought, i suffer from high anxiety which makes you think disturbing thought you dont want to think but its nobodys fault

[@sean..L]

Because the mind is not physical, and people think in terms of materiality.

[@VEGETADTX]

That is exactly what I've been trying to unsucessfully tell to people around me for decades. Somehow so many people STILL don't get it. Unbelievable.

[@bonson9156]

because people are monsters

[@eh4235]

Because of the stigma that you have freedom of choice. Because screwed up experiences shape your personality. You have so much to be greatful for, but behold if I could raise my self, and I did for most of my life, I probably would have made different choices, even who my parents were lol. Embrace your yourself. We are all anatomically the same, our brain is what makes us unique. Plus I do belive, while some things you can't change, you can play with your mind your own way choose your own knowledge and experiences to make yourself better, for yourself. (:

[@onehotminutex]

"What once made you safe, makes you insane". That is very true, because with OCD you do these rituals over and over again to stay safe but it's just making you worse.

[@smokinroo420]

toche'

[@kachi2782]

What happens when you stop doing the rituals ?

[@jacktaktical]

@@kachi2782 In my expirence as someone with OCD (but this may vary per person) I often felt overly stressed and paranoid, I felt extremely unsafe, it was hard because its something I do "unconciously" at this point, I only managed to stop for 15 days before relapsing again, even if it hurts me I dont have plans to stop tbh

[@kachi2782]

@@jacktaktical Thank you for your answer. I actually work with people suffering from OCD because i did suffer from it as a teenager and managed to get rid of it and it never came back. When you stopped for 15 days, did anything bad happen to you ? And i do not mean the stress, i mean does something actually happened to you ? I have treated 4700 people so far and none of them relapsed. I am not a doctor, (well, actually i am but i am a vet and ethologist) i do not charge for it and i use animals and it works every time. It takes a while and people need to spend a couple of weeks with me so it is really a Holiday thing. They are fed and sheltered and in exchange, they have to work with the animals at the rescue centers here in Switzerland throughout the whole process. I only take 10 people at a time, after a very strict selection because i do not want anyone susceptible to harm the animals, but i have been doing this for 15 years and so far it works. It is a mix of zootherapy, yoga, meditation, (i am not religious) a few exercises, both physical and mental, a strict schedule, cooking your own food, and of course taking care of the animals which is really where the magic happens. If you do not wish to give it up, then of course it won't go away, But you do have to keep in mind that it is not real and that all it takes is to want to give it up and then get the proper assistance to do so.

[@irmanv.9798]

"Your pets are happier than you are."

[@cwmhyfryd]

Because they live in the moment. Fact

[@rolandviado]

+Irma NV. love that quote

[@Acidfunkish]

100% truth. Without a doubt.

[@hellooldfriend3223]

Irma NV. 😂😂😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@thelegendkillersshittyduff1335]

@@cwmhyfryd Yea and because they don't have to work and eat a lot to maintain a normal weight

[@rkaiser1333]

this gave me SUCH a sense of relief, the INSTANT she said "we're not equipped for the 21st century," I knew exactly where she was going with it and I was so relieved and grateful because I felt like, for the first time, there was a real, scientific , evolutionary explanation for why I am depressed and that it's not my fault. I'd heard the explanation before, but when you're in a depressive episode it's hard to remember anything that makes you feel better, so it was nice to hear that from someone who knows it too

[@annieidk1740]

I love this woman.

[@katmatally]

"All I got was a coupla phone calls tellin' me to 'perk up'. 'Cos I didn't think of that." LOL she is so right. "Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, snap out of it!" Ruby Wax I think I love you.

[@danes.4551]

I've taken an AP Psychology class before, and I commend this woman for doing her research, despite presenting it in a humorous manner. The fight-or-flight response; the neural connections and the malfeasance of such- all are crucial points in understanding mental illness. It's helped me understand my own mental illness as well. Also, can we talk about her quote, "How come any organ in the body can get sick and gain sympathy for it, all except the brain"? (might have paraphrased it). That holds so much truth- a mental disorder is a biochemical reaction within the body, the same as any other disorder. A+ to this woman.

[@FRANKOCEANLOVER]

yes

[@robokill387]

Not true, the biochemical explanation of mental illness has been debunked.

[@paulaward5031]

Well said Ruby as a sufferer of depression for over 30 years i have heard lots of wise words from people that haven't got a clue what its like to be in this dark place i wish i had a pound for every time some one said to me PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER or (what have you got to be depressed about) keep up the good work

[@elsapadrons]

That happened so fast WHY? I want more

[@258asc]

Today I started reading her book "Sane New World", which is what brought me here. So far, it makes a lot of sense. Learning more will help us do better

[@anilkv5891]

TedX policy of Time limit and she has delivered the best within the time limits Wonderful speech and presentation

[@scotscub76]

Psychiatry Capitalist Fraud I don't agree with your statement. Ruby Wax works. Many people with debilitating mental illnesses are able to work because of medication. I worked for 15 years before I became horribly ill. We need understanding and support. Mental illness doesn't care if you work or not it doesn't discriminate. and it kills people. lots of people. so if I "wake up" what's my alternative?

[@orchidmdg]

She said more in 8 minutes than my psychiatrist of 14 yrs has told me. And she is totally accurate. Love her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have Bipolar, Schizoaffective Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder and have been hospitalized 12 times in 17 yrs for wanting to die because it's illegal to kill everyone else around me. This year, knock on wood, has been great for me. Only because I'm on new meds and have a new counselor and a new psychiatrist. AND, because I'm educating myself on how to get out of bed and find things to make myself smile and laugh each day. Just popping pills doesn't work. I go to a NAMI support group. Some how I need them to see this video.

[@sangeethavijayakumar6003]

I wish you be happy too.god bless

[@fvck_Blnk]

how are you doing nowadays?

[@camilabraz1334]

I almost cried watching this. U can see by the way she talks she's been through a lot. So special! It gives me more fuel to my graduation in psychology.

[@HnabniC]

they shoulda given her another 10 mins you can tell she had a lot more to say i could watch her for a whole hour tho

[@kattie06]

Hanbin C I saw her Frazzled show a few months ago. she's absolutely amazing, i especially loved how she answered questions from the audience at the end. shes great

[@KylemcmahonMe]

She is hysterically funny and this is one of my Favorite TED Talks. The stigma of Mental illness is one of today's travesties. The more we are able to talk about it, the more it chips away at the stimga.

[@evacody1249]

The media has not helped with the stigma either. We take two steps forward only to take three steps back. It's a sad world that people who deal with mental illness me being one of them have to feel ashamed. Sad part is it's not just anxiety and depression I'm dealing with. Add to it ADD, dyslexia, mild aspegers and a bit of OCD and yeah I love my life. :| I'm made to feel ashamed that I have these problems. And when i just ask for some understanding I get told off or I get my parents saying it's my problem why should they help. Even worse is when I found out I had depression my own mother tried to make the whole thing about other family members and how they have it much worse. It's funny but my grandmother is the only one who has any understanding ear.

[@mirandabunting9841]

Ruby is a complete genius and I have so much admiration for all her work. This is an incredible TED talk. "Run Chlamydia, Run!"

[@vicki822]

Thank you for intelligently yet humorously explaining mental illness concisely. I wish I knew how to write about my anxiety disorder without alienating the other 75% of people who are mentally healthy.

[@hoold01]

So intelligent, so funny, so attractive.....I think I'm in love.

[@paddywanball]

Gareth Martin good luck buddy :.[

[@DanielleA2023]

the truth, devoid of the garbage and articulated simply as it can only be done by someone with passion, intellect, insight and who has been there. AWESOME!

[@gusy629]

"Your pets are happier than you are". That is so fucking true. Thanks for the informative speech, Ruby.

[@SnowTricky]

Brilliant talk, love the "How come every other organ in your body can get sick and you get sympathy, except your brain?” quote..

[@finchcarvingadiamond]

I'm laughing histerically and moved to tears, because for the first time in a while I feel validated in a way that's not from a therapy session. Ive been moved to the border of suicidality recently and its great to feel a little more normal. From science! WHERE can I find more of psychology satire !?

[@tammiewilson812]

I have an extreme amount of respect for this women and her power. Seek this place within yourself laughter is healing and difficult at best when we struggle with depression. I think she is simply trying to find her self within this struggle she calls manic depression. Way to go Ruby. I understand your point and your hard statements as highly emotive and thought provoking. love it!!

[@scottcupp8129]

This lady is amazing. I suffer from major depressive disorder with psychotic features and delusions. She really puts it all in perspective. She is amazing!

[@JDKelleherMusic]

Love you, Ruby Wax.

[@sotonpete]

I think she's amazing, and since seeing her show a year ago I've made enormous strides in talking about it with everybody I know, this is becoming so important to me, and it is something that we should all truly understand.

[@Oscarancasey]

Absolutely incredible. From the depths of her own experience. Some heavy points in there about stigma.

[@MrTourture]

This lady is a genius. Honestly I'm only 4 minutes into the video but I had to take a break to write this comment. KUDOS my lady. You have captivated me already. I wish everyone was crazily aware as you are. This world would have less problems. Love you.

[@jemimakaru]

This was so refreshing; as someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, it felt awesome to have her connect with this crowd and also the audience of the video - just removing the stigma and really pointing out how silly it is that people don't believe in illness of the brain but accept illness of every other organ.

[@shailbind01]

This is beautifully explained. Everyone should watch this.

[@VegHui]

I really appreciate learning in this perspective with comedy. Edutainment ☺️❤️

[@Eagle09ize]

WOW! She's really good. That was awesome.

[@HowToRescueYourSelf]

Thank you Ruby Wax, nicely done and said.

[@androidwerewolf4541]

I love that she got a standing ovation

[@Swiftie13TSwizzle]

Absolutely brilliant! Also.... 5:58 oooh snaaap

[@danielwang3802]

very intelligent and cheerful!

[@dmulk1]

I love her question "how come every other organ in your body can get sick and you get sympathy, except the brain?" It really illustrates how much stigma is still associated with mental illness.

[@shaneD7378]

Totally agree with that I've experienced that with my own dad he still has a very old fashioned point of view when it comes to mental health

[@comanchio1976]

Aah...Ruby Wax is such a gem.

[@dazdiver2222]

If the world had more Ruby's it would be a better place!

[@jenna8706]

one of the best TED talks, in my opinion

[@superficialwannabe]

wonderful and truly brave. Realisation starts off with the few able and brave enough to speak out.

[@patriciakatharina]

Reallly loved how her character showed through her speech and how she owned it

[@mariahconklin5573]

This lady is awesome and so smart. Full of wisdom

[@Nani.101]

this made me so happy I'm so glad I found this before I relapsed

[@MrFlamingpride]

God bless her. Laughing = learning. I feel this video can help other people finally understand depression.

[@oldreprobate2748]

We have nearly evolved to that for in four. I'm impressed that she's gotten to the point that she can interject some humor into her presentation.

[@SuperBarytone]

Often it is not the person that is sick but rather society expressing sickness.

[@lynneatsrocks]

She reminds me of my favorite nurse at the psychiatric hospital. Surprisingly at a hospital for teens the nurses are usually really bland and serious and just treat us just like a . But this lady was so kind and funny, she had went through this kind of stuff before too and was so good to me and the other patients and gave me a different outlook on things

[@silvanaatef8498]

what made you safe, now makes you insane. that's so harsh but it's the truth

[@TheGypsyLondon]

Trufer reefer roofer.. chaaaa 🤪

[@biblesceptic8199]

You're right. TED talks don't generally present evidence, at least from what I've seen. They're generally directed at an audience of people who specialize in the subject being discussed, so the audience is already familiar with the research. I enjoy them even when they're not in my field, but in order to get a better understanding, I usually have to do a little background research. It would be great if they cited sources at the end, or even recommended background reading :)

[@maryallison9268]

This lady is incredible!

[@nicolafigini784]

This is excellent. I always found Ruby Wax entertaining when she used to have her interview shows, but she is doing so much more for humanity with her work in the field of mental health. I have several friends who have really suffered with depression and anxiety, and Ruby’s presentation really gives me more of an insight and understanding into what they are going through and why... more so than many of the much longer, more traditional presentations on the topic. Well done, Ruby! 👍👌

[@paulmarchano7238]

Why doesn’t she get the 30 minute block on TED? I want more, she was fantastic.

[@soundseeker63]

"even Paris Hilton".... I LOLd at that :D A lot of very pertinent points humorously put. She's right, society's attitude towards mental illness is very backward and unhelpful and needs to change. Many of the greatest people to have lived had some kind of mental illness or disability, yet most people if you tell them that you have a mental illness, look at you with pity and back away in fear. Very sad really.

[@TheGypsyLondon]

Nah, Hilton hotels = just an upper crust knocking shop. 🏀🏀

[@drekaflugan]

My biology teacher was talking about this today! That the modern lives of some of us are making them relentlessly producing adrenalin, so we get stressed out and depressed. We all need to learn how to calm down and stop the stress.

[@jimwilliams1536]

i just spontaneously lurched to my feet and applauded.

[@marypac4882]

Thank you, Ruby, for this talk! Thank you SO MUCH!!!

[@ryuzakiyuki2071]

I have watched a few speech about depression but this one is the best. She didn't just let people understand what it means to be one in four but what it feels like to almost everyday to be in four and four because the 21st century couldn't just understand that making it seems like a stigma is making everything worse.

[@sunlightheaded]

AMAZING. I am actually in tears this is BRILLIANT.

[@rajeshwari1998]

Blunt and humorous. Love it.

[@TheGypsyLondon]

Emily Blunt isn't funny. He's bloody boring. Just like Mr Dean Boring-Goring Jr. 🇬🇧🇺🇲19 - 0 🇩🇪🇦🇫

[@monique3885]

the points she mad were amazing.

[@heatherpeterson3571]

Wow this is so good! I have struggled with bpd for such a long time of my life but I have been feeling a lot better these days. What helped me a lot was informing myself about the disorder and watching other people heal and recover. The great thing about KZbin is that it's free so you can easily seek coaching and advice and don't need to pay for it. Personally, I recently started watching @kathyinframe she is a model and actress and makes movies about mental health and focuses a lot on bpd. She also started giving advice to people suffering from bpd and to friends and family it feels good to see that we're not alone in our suffering.

[@makigott19]

I love her for being honest with her story and poking a bit of fun on a very sad state of the matter :D loved this talk!!!! LOVELY drawings btw!!! keep it up RUBY WAX

[@mattrushmere8386]

Fantastic - I love Ruby Wax. She is a true inspiration and a pioneer for talking about mental health conditions. I always enjoy watching her talking and performing. She has found a truly cracking way to make talking about mental health conditions more acceptable to the masses. Well done, Ruby!! :D

[@hemaniscool]

Fucking love this woman

[@HoboLyra]

Wow! So seeing eyes on things, hearing voices, smelling odd smells and spazzing is all because I want to be like this? WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS SOONER? Thanks for curing my Schizoefective disorder!

[@Brenda-uf8pk]

love this woman

[@biblesceptic8199]

What's interesting is her descriptions fit in perfectly with the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) description of mental illness. Looking at mental illness the way she describes helps guide treatment. It can be especially helpful with anxiety disorders, if the client can begin to observe the "loop tape" Wax describes, instead of becoming wrapped up in believing the things repeated on the "loop tape". It's hard to describe here, but there's a lot of great work in the area.

[@j.s.1816]

What used to make us safe now makes us crazy. (paraphrasing) So insightful..

[@sarab5132]

Her sense of humour and her drawings really got the point across. Bravo to her!

[@cattajk]

What an incredible woman!

[@superfluouslyme]

Thank you, Ruby Wax. I love you so much for your comedy and and what you have done to get rid of the stigma on mental illnesses.

[@TheGypsyLondon]

Boring... 💤😴🛌

[@danielj8858]

Never seen this and I've been watching TED talks for years

[@elchafa337]

I like it when very few people stand up to clap and slowly you see peer pressure starting to contaminate minds and bodies; this, just like the talk, is very informative. :)

[@delaneym.7412]

Some people don't like to say suffering with a mental illness because it makes it seem like it's 100% horrible 100% of the time, but I like that she said suffering instead of living. Yes I do live with a mental illness, but I also suffer with them. I suffer greatly because of them. It's nice to see someone who acknowledges that they can't just live with it.

[@dfjulesful]

Aha! I knew my cats were happier than me.

[@nikkierickson2967]

My pets MAKE me happy! Unconditional love, all that I need. More loyal than any man. AMEN!!!

[@ciarahebert4122]

Ditto!!!

[@PoetlaureateNFDL]

This is very good. I think she points out some great points about mental illness. She is doing a great public service by exposing these facts. Thank you.

[@kezzachadda8175]

Ruby Wax was brilliant about this.....I loved all her descriptions and "illustrations " lol !!

[@amylcorcoran]

You are fabulous, thank you for thinking of us all.

[@MangoVlog]

Run Chlamydia! Run like the wind Verruca!

[@dragon202920]

she wins all my respect along with the internet.

[@DJoeLawless]

depression = over-awareness

[@sawyerrice3244]

+DJoeLawless what

[@editam.32]

+DJoeLawless actually, anxiety = over-awareness

[@camillat9639]

She should have a show.

[@martindegnlarsen9298]

I LOVE HER!!! Omg!!! She's AMAZING!!!

[@im19ice3]

i love her. she's my people all right.

[@RacerE7773]

I wish people could be in our place for one month at least to know what it is like to try to deal with things like racing thoughts and things reminding you of how you wish things were different.

[@EppicChick]

This video worked out better then I expected, this info is brilliant.

[@MadkittenzK]

i fucking love this talk im so glad i clicked on this video it needs more views

[@helfrichraven129]

She's so good.

[@HoboLyra]

Yeah, I live with Schizoeffective disorder- and while I know in my head things aren't real and such it still presents itself in a manner that makes it hard to deal with life some times. I have better control over this then most with my range of symptoms, but you are 100% correct that it is something to be dealt with for the rest of our lives. Doesn't matter how much I believe it's all in my head, that doesn't magically make it disappear forever.

[@melissa4856]

Live this, repeat repeat replay helps me through the day

[@mastertheillusion]

This needs to be spread around.

[@Lindsaypryde12]

I was there I would be crying and applauding her while whistling and standing

[@ReiDavidson]

Man, I sure am glad you know more about how my brain works than my therapist and doctor!!

[@ScottArten]

I suffer from bipolar and i get asked why. I can remember dad telling me stories about his piss taking of people he met who suffered from depression. It took him being diagnosed with a terminal disease(motor neurons) to understand the many, many reasons why people suffer from this mental illness. As for my father, his depression was a byproduct of his illness. For some of us, it builds its self up over the course of your life and comes out at some point that would never be convenient. Fortunately for my father, he died from his illness as that was the only way out from his depression.