I have worked as a midwife and widely in mental health services so have some authority to speak.
1. Meghan was definitely pregnant, possibly baby’s head was engaged, hence the shape of the bump. I’ve seen many like that.
2. If ancient civilisations could ‘belly dance’ a baby out during labour, then twerking is just a modern day update. Women benefit from mobile labours, good for Meghan for shaking her hips.
3. Meghan is exhibiting no symptoms of mental illness (‘clinically insane’ really isn’t a term that is used by professionals, has overtones of ‘one flew over the cuckoo’s nest’, not really the impression mental health professionals are trying to make).
4. Broadcasters making inaccurate medical diagnoses to castigate women piss me off no end. Put in the hours, walk the wards, earn the qualifications and then speak. Anybody who hasn’t does not have the authority to spout such harmful drivel.
Excellent points, Rebecca. Do not watch the clip, it'll make you so angry, and at one point Kevin O'Sullivan hands over to a man (a lawyer) as 'the expert' to give his opinion on the shape of her bump.
seriously - you wonder who is actually offended by the look of a baby bump - will woman need to go into hiding - just in case it disturbs? I am getting more angry - depressing
Fellow mental health professional, here. I also very much dislike the painting of women as 'crazy' or 'clinically insane'. It's another way to discount us, to keep us quiet and to ensure we don't rise above our station. It's awful.
I don't know much about Meghan Markle and have not seen her in any of her shows, but dear Lord, leave the poor woman alone. Let her do her thing. She is isn't harming anyone or anything. I especially don't understand women who put other women down. Time and time again, I have seen it and witnessed it. I can't even speak about those male commentators -- good grief. And good article, Anna.
The media's obsession with her is like nothing I have ever seen... no wonder Harry is concerned for his family, these commentators are constantly inciting people to hate her. Horrendous.
Men decide when women are mad, and women that depend on the patriarchy for their own survival, second the male opinion. I'm aware that you're aware, but I thought it worth saying. Also, worth saying that it sucks (to put it mildly), and I hope we can find a way out.
All Meghan did was to dare to show up as herself in a world that would prefer she stay quiet and pretty and small. Now, she's suffering the horrid consequences.
Thank you for this, as always, Anna. I was terrified of my ex taking me to family court because of my mental health issues (thankfully, he never did), and this idea that women are labelled unreliable witnesses to anything because of this — what is unreliable about brutal honesty? One of my bugbears is the incidences of diagnosis of borderline personality disorder in women and how that is stigmatised and weaponised. I could rant forever on this topic, but the language surrounding women and mental health is steeped in misogyny and the women grasping at it to vilify other women are abhorrent.
BPD - or awkward woman who will not play nicely. I have had that "diagnosis" - I complained about the first shrink I saw. What is also apparent is the ignorance and incompetence - beggars belief at times. The good shrinks I have met are on training courses I attended as a psychologist - yet it is because they are there - looking holsitically. They were all women.
It’s such a catchall diagnosis — I was diagnosed several years ago, but the more I see of other reasons behind how I presented, the more ridiculous it seems, but now the label is there. I am not surprised that the women look at that diagnosis, in particular, differently — it’s just ‘hysteria’ in a new dress.
It is ridiculous.....the first one did at least reluctantly carry out an adhd assessment...the second did not even bother to bring the forms but claimed no adhd but bpd. ..i was too vulnerable at the time to complain again. My symptoms as such were ptsd and the menopause makes adhd worse. Both men had no idea or knowledge of adhd or any of the new research. I am lucky because I could walk away and cancel further appointments. Not everyone is so fortunate. It is dangerous for women ....the horror stories that abound are frightening. You do wonder how much has changed since the 19th century.
My son recently had an adhd assessment and going through it, it resonated so strongly with me, moreso than bpd. But I’m too old to wait 4 years for an assessment! I was threatened with involuntary admission at a&e once because of it so I sneaked out and ran to my gp. They wrote me a letter in case hospital sent the police!!
It was terrifying. They tried to put me in a room that didn’t have handles on the door and I refused! Worst place to be if you’re feeling anxious and vulnerable.
Anna, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. It strikes a powerful chord with me.
I have always despised women putting down other women, especially to gain an approval of men. That’s shameful, indecent and repugnant. Leave Meghan Markle alone - poor woman has been vilified from the start.
Calling a woman crazy because she stands out and up, defends herself and challenges the abusers is an assault. If should be considered a felony. Instead, some people, sadly including women, find it entertaining.
While high-profile men in power abuse and violate women and get away with it. God help us!
The quote you shared is brilliant and says it all: ‘insanity is the only sane reaction to an insane society.’ Indeed. 😩
Lovely piece, Anna! I too am a bit ambivalent on MM, but I applaud her for staying in the game and doing it her way. The show isn't great, but it's aesthetically lovely, aspirational, and even relaxing to watch...not that it hasn't been done before, but still. That said, the pile-on of hate toward the woman is so outsized to me — regarding the new show, regarding her marriage, regarding HER. It seems the UK press in particular is out for blood in the worst way, classifying her as the Yoko Ono of the royal family (and no, Yoko did NOT break up The Beatles). I find the women in the press are particularly awful to her; Tina Brown's Substack post about the show was so vitriolic that it turned my stomach, but people ate it up. I don't get it. Why can't they just let her live without the "crazy" label?
Indeed. Even Emily Bronte had a 'madwoman' in the attic, only reclaimed by Jean Rhys some decades later. And Freud used the word hysteria, derived from the Greek word for the uterus hystera, in writing about his female patients.
The weird obssesion of the media and people as a whole with her is what's crazy/insane. I can understand the scrutiny because of her status (well can I really?) But from the start I feel she was portrayed as a bad person and it carried on to this day.
I couldn't care less for her or any celebrity for that matter, but we must not forget that they are human beings too. Some are nice, some are garbage. Instead of talking about the size of her belly, they should talk about all those men in power (or not) who assault women and get away with it ? Or the genocide in Gaza ? I don't know something that actually MATTERS !
Important piece, Anna. Definitely a subject worth drawing attention to! I didn’t know you are writing a book about female madness. I’ve been wanting to read the book about Vivien Leigh, ‘Where Madness Lies’. Curious if you’ve read it and what you thought.
what I also find extraordinary (and not in a good way) is that so much bile directed at this woman, not Trump, Putin, what is happening to women in afghanistan sudan gaza? in china ? Surely that is more important?
Megan is no threat to anyone at all - I dont know her - but clinically insane??? - I find it it really really disappointing when another woman jumps on the head and body of another woman with utterly spurious comments. Seriously ... stop .
As soon as a woman won’t perform the way she’s expected to, the public turn and it’s especially depressing when women do this to others. I don’t follow the royals but I suspect Diana would have liked Meghan very much. Good for Harry. On another note, has anyone read Maggie O’Farrell’s The vanishing act of Esme Lennox? Excellent and explores the life of a character put into an asylum at 16. Wonderful at showing not telling. Anna, can you get Maggie O’Farrell on Sunday Shelfie 😀💃!?
I wish people were less polarised on the royals. Brings out the worst on both sides doesn’t it?
Slight tangent but I am so fascinated by your book theme Anna.
Lots and lots in Greek tragedy on women and madness. My theory is one reason for this is the men were so unfamiliar with the anatomy. Hence the wandering womb ideas for hysteria. As I have been discovering with my Galen / Galena book, there was a very narrow window where human dissection was done in Hellenistic times in Alexandria but for the most part it was not permitted. So it was animals instead . They were more familiar with goat and pig uteruses than female ones which is partly why they had all those wild ideas.
Also, I cannot imagine what perimenopause without the drugs we have today must have been like …
I don’t care about the royals, either care for them, or care to hate them. The amount of energy people invest in them is so curious to me.
Really good points about the Greek myths, Joanna and I do want to touch on those tropes that have become so ingrained. Interesting also about them being more familiar with animal uteruses, and again these days, more familiar with male anatomy than female.
I have worked as a midwife and widely in mental health services so have some authority to speak.
1. Meghan was definitely pregnant, possibly baby’s head was engaged, hence the shape of the bump. I’ve seen many like that.
2. If ancient civilisations could ‘belly dance’ a baby out during labour, then twerking is just a modern day update. Women benefit from mobile labours, good for Meghan for shaking her hips.
3. Meghan is exhibiting no symptoms of mental illness (‘clinically insane’ really isn’t a term that is used by professionals, has overtones of ‘one flew over the cuckoo’s nest’, not really the impression mental health professionals are trying to make).
4. Broadcasters making inaccurate medical diagnoses to castigate women piss me off no end. Put in the hours, walk the wards, earn the qualifications and then speak. Anybody who hasn’t does not have the authority to spout such harmful drivel.
Excellent points, Rebecca. Do not watch the clip, it'll make you so angry, and at one point Kevin O'Sullivan hands over to a man (a lawyer) as 'the expert' to give his opinion on the shape of her bump.
😂🤣🙄 Calling on a lawyer as obstetric expert is such a good example of inane mansplaining. Thanks for the laugh, Anna.
Pleased to have given you a chuckle, Viviane!
Would it be too much to actually ask a qualified woman?
Clearly!
seriously - you wonder who is actually offended by the look of a baby bump - will woman need to go into hiding - just in case it disturbs? I am getting more angry - depressing
Fellow mental health professional, here. I also very much dislike the painting of women as 'crazy' or 'clinically insane'. It's another way to discount us, to keep us quiet and to ensure we don't rise above our station. It's awful.
Yep, it’s exactly as you say, another form of violence by silencing us.
I don't know much about Meghan Markle and have not seen her in any of her shows, but dear Lord, leave the poor woman alone. Let her do her thing. She is isn't harming anyone or anything. I especially don't understand women who put other women down. Time and time again, I have seen it and witnessed it. I can't even speak about those male commentators -- good grief. And good article, Anna.
The media's obsession with her is like nothing I have ever seen... no wonder Harry is concerned for his family, these commentators are constantly inciting people to hate her. Horrendous.
And yet - no comparative comments about a certain orange dictator who “dances” similarly on an election stage, and is clearly certifiably insane! 🤯
Pale stale male strikes again.
lets not forget Musk - but the bro is alright - a maverick - genius? very low bar dont you think!
He’s just off his trolley 😂
Men decide when women are mad, and women that depend on the patriarchy for their own survival, second the male opinion. I'm aware that you're aware, but I thought it worth saying. Also, worth saying that it sucks (to put it mildly), and I hope we can find a way out.
All Meghan did was to dare to show up as herself in a world that would prefer she stay quiet and pretty and small. Now, she's suffering the horrid consequences.
Absolutely, and also it always bears repeating that men decide women are mad.
totally - Is megan supposed to do stay at home - don't have to like what she does - so what?
It is also an old line that the woman is blamed for "turning" the man - forcing him to be supplicant. Madonna/whore/harridan.
Thank you for this, as always, Anna. I was terrified of my ex taking me to family court because of my mental health issues (thankfully, he never did), and this idea that women are labelled unreliable witnesses to anything because of this — what is unreliable about brutal honesty? One of my bugbears is the incidences of diagnosis of borderline personality disorder in women and how that is stigmatised and weaponised. I could rant forever on this topic, but the language surrounding women and mental health is steeped in misogyny and the women grasping at it to vilify other women are abhorrent.
BPD - or awkward woman who will not play nicely. I have had that "diagnosis" - I complained about the first shrink I saw. What is also apparent is the ignorance and incompetence - beggars belief at times. The good shrinks I have met are on training courses I attended as a psychologist - yet it is because they are there - looking holsitically. They were all women.
It’s such a catchall diagnosis — I was diagnosed several years ago, but the more I see of other reasons behind how I presented, the more ridiculous it seems, but now the label is there. I am not surprised that the women look at that diagnosis, in particular, differently — it’s just ‘hysteria’ in a new dress.
It is ridiculous.....the first one did at least reluctantly carry out an adhd assessment...the second did not even bother to bring the forms but claimed no adhd but bpd. ..i was too vulnerable at the time to complain again. My symptoms as such were ptsd and the menopause makes adhd worse. Both men had no idea or knowledge of adhd or any of the new research. I am lucky because I could walk away and cancel further appointments. Not everyone is so fortunate. It is dangerous for women ....the horror stories that abound are frightening. You do wonder how much has changed since the 19th century.
My son recently had an adhd assessment and going through it, it resonated so strongly with me, moreso than bpd. But I’m too old to wait 4 years for an assessment! I was threatened with involuntary admission at a&e once because of it so I sneaked out and ran to my gp. They wrote me a letter in case hospital sent the police!!
Thank God you snuck out, Kay!
It was terrifying. They tried to put me in a room that didn’t have handles on the door and I refused! Worst place to be if you’re feeling anxious and vulnerable.
It is utterly insane....glad you got out. Take care
Thank you ❤️
Anna, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. It strikes a powerful chord with me.
I have always despised women putting down other women, especially to gain an approval of men. That’s shameful, indecent and repugnant. Leave Meghan Markle alone - poor woman has been vilified from the start.
Calling a woman crazy because she stands out and up, defends herself and challenges the abusers is an assault. If should be considered a felony. Instead, some people, sadly including women, find it entertaining.
While high-profile men in power abuse and violate women and get away with it. God help us!
The quote you shared is brilliant and says it all: ‘insanity is the only sane reaction to an insane society.’ Indeed. 😩
Yes, it’s so depressing, isn’t it? And that quote does really resonate.
Really powerful piece Anna. Trashing people on trash TV is basically Trash.
Lovely piece, Anna! I too am a bit ambivalent on MM, but I applaud her for staying in the game and doing it her way. The show isn't great, but it's aesthetically lovely, aspirational, and even relaxing to watch...not that it hasn't been done before, but still. That said, the pile-on of hate toward the woman is so outsized to me — regarding the new show, regarding her marriage, regarding HER. It seems the UK press in particular is out for blood in the worst way, classifying her as the Yoko Ono of the royal family (and no, Yoko did NOT break up The Beatles). I find the women in the press are particularly awful to her; Tina Brown's Substack post about the show was so vitriolic that it turned my stomach, but people ate it up. I don't get it. Why can't they just let her live without the "crazy" label?
I’ve no idea, Annie. It’s bizarre. But they always enjoy having a woman they love to hate. Can you think of a man they go after with the same venom?
Only her husband!
So true!
Indeed. Even Emily Bronte had a 'madwoman' in the attic, only reclaimed by Jean Rhys some decades later. And Freud used the word hysteria, derived from the Greek word for the uterus hystera, in writing about his female patients.
The weird obssesion of the media and people as a whole with her is what's crazy/insane. I can understand the scrutiny because of her status (well can I really?) But from the start I feel she was portrayed as a bad person and it carried on to this day.
I couldn't care less for her or any celebrity for that matter, but we must not forget that they are human beings too. Some are nice, some are garbage. Instead of talking about the size of her belly, they should talk about all those men in power (or not) who assault women and get away with it ? Or the genocide in Gaza ? I don't know something that actually MATTERS !
Absolutely, Claire. It’s so weird.
Important piece, Anna. Definitely a subject worth drawing attention to! I didn’t know you are writing a book about female madness. I’ve been wanting to read the book about Vivien Leigh, ‘Where Madness Lies’. Curious if you’ve read it and what you thought.
Ooh no, I haven’t Petra. But thank you for flagging it, i will look it up now!
what I also find extraordinary (and not in a good way) is that so much bile directed at this woman, not Trump, Putin, what is happening to women in afghanistan sudan gaza? in china ? Surely that is more important?
Megan is no threat to anyone at all - I dont know her - but clinically insane??? - I find it it really really disappointing when another woman jumps on the head and body of another woman with utterly spurious comments. Seriously ... stop .
As soon as a woman won’t perform the way she’s expected to, the public turn and it’s especially depressing when women do this to others. I don’t follow the royals but I suspect Diana would have liked Meghan very much. Good for Harry. On another note, has anyone read Maggie O’Farrell’s The vanishing act of Esme Lennox? Excellent and explores the life of a character put into an asylum at 16. Wonderful at showing not telling. Anna, can you get Maggie O’Farrell on Sunday Shelfie 😀💃!?
Yes! I have read that book, Rebecca, and I would LOVE Maggie O’Farrell on Sunday Shelfie. You never know!
I wish people were less polarised on the royals. Brings out the worst on both sides doesn’t it?
Slight tangent but I am so fascinated by your book theme Anna.
Lots and lots in Greek tragedy on women and madness. My theory is one reason for this is the men were so unfamiliar with the anatomy. Hence the wandering womb ideas for hysteria. As I have been discovering with my Galen / Galena book, there was a very narrow window where human dissection was done in Hellenistic times in Alexandria but for the most part it was not permitted. So it was animals instead . They were more familiar with goat and pig uteruses than female ones which is partly why they had all those wild ideas.
Also, I cannot imagine what perimenopause without the drugs we have today must have been like …
I don’t care about the royals, either care for them, or care to hate them. The amount of energy people invest in them is so curious to me.
Really good points about the Greek myths, Joanna and I do want to touch on those tropes that have become so ingrained. Interesting also about them being more familiar with animal uteruses, and again these days, more familiar with male anatomy than female.
Good piece! Thank you.
I also care about women being piled on..
and so often lately being dismissed as ‘Karens’.
The new slang for ‘white bitch’.