Little Boy Blue

Argh, I can see the issue from both sides. As a human being, your demand
is very easily seen as out of line. As a reporter, on the other hand,
perhaps it was necessary.

we are told it's all in our heads. As I lay dying at 17 years old, my mother is yelling at me "just think happy thoughts." I'm a constant battle. I have been wrongly diagnosed for years.  What would make a person fear constantly? Something is wrong with me.  Doctor's don't have a label to put on me. So what happens is I start doubting myself. Am I crazy? Am I selfish? But, see this Mr. Lomax, I am a firefighter. I am a Paramedic. I have witnessed everything that most people would not look in the face. People run out, while I'm running in. Because, I have come to the conclusion, I cannot save myself. If left alone with my mind, I will surely destroy it by any means possible. I put my uniform on so I can mourning for the last person who has no family. Hold the hand of a dying Cancer patient as their last breath escapes.  I cry so hard for the murder and rape victims that " were in the wrong place."  If you knew me in high school, everyone liked me. I was "likeable." Every day I would go home and drink myself until I couldn't feel anymore. Then I started Cutting. See, Mr. Lomax. Psychotic break happen as you become an "adult." The ages of 16-19 are when most psychotic breaks happen. So Justin could have had a "normal" School life. I fight like hell everyday to hide it all. Ignorant statements like the ones you display here are the reason I don't always seek help. I'm already at war in my own mind, why the would I give it anymore ammunition?

wow, what an article. I would assume you know nothing of the mentality a mental state of mind can do to an individual. You claim to be a writer, yet I know from all the negative feed back you get feeds into your creditability somehow. In any case, I would prefer not to be a writer if my main criteria was to bash someone for a state of health they are in. Asking for documentations on such a matter is like asking someone to hang themselves for no apparent reason at all. Being able to construed such an attempt should be punishable, but I am assuming in your case, you have all you want.  You are getting a whole new type of feed back to publish, not just from angry fans, but from people who relate to the same types of illnesses Justin portrays in his music. How do you think this makes them feel? How do you propose to explain to someone's family that you do not believe anything is wrong with them, so proof of the mental anguish is necessary. Obviously you have never traveled down the road of any type of health problems. I would be upset if someone asked me for my health records, and that is not including my mental health records. In any case, I hope all this feed back helps with your publishing status. Maybe you should write on how crud people can be, such as yourself. You are, by the way, one in a million.

The stigma of mental illness is perpetuated by people who do not have it, understand it, and can not even fathom what it is like to have one. I have schizo-effective disorder and I to in manic phases presented very well and normal. Unless you have personally gone through it you will never know what hell your mind can bring you through. To ask for proof that someone has an illness is ridiculous, it is so hard to get to recovery and that itself fluctuates, what Justin is doing by bringing up mental illness is throwing out a life line to so many people who think they are alone as well as breaking through the stigma that surrounds the illnesses. What you have done in asking for proof is just another sign of ignorance about this. So many people for so long hide and try to present a so called normal front to everyone because of people like you who can and will never grasp the torture it is. Who do you think you are to ask someone you don't even know to present some of the most personal, traumatic information, so you can parade it or twist it to your own ends. Thank God Justin is reaching out to so many people and sharing his experiences because he is saving people through his own experiences, something you will never ever grasp, People like you won't be satisfied until people like me and Justin who have an illness is stamped with our numbers across our heads and paraded before you with an official notice of our complete lack of saneness, and that shows you how little you know about mental illnesses because some of the most brilliant people have had a mental illness and have lived full productive lives in spite of it. You are promoting the stigma that people who have an illness are all this or that and that we need to prove the hell we have and continue to go through. Justin did the right thing by not wasting his time with you.

You are not his doctor. You are not family. You are not a friend. You are someone who is expected to keep a professional demeanor and be respectful since you are expecting an interview from him. You have no business writing about something so personal, something you have no ownership of (if he wants to write about it, that's fine, it's his business...but it's not yours). He doesn't have to prove himself to you, just as you wouldn't feel obligated to prove yourself to him. In short, you're an inconsiderate, insensitive, presumptuous ass.

Fuck you John Lomax.

My Father suffers form Bi-Polar disorder. I have been dealing with it for over 30 years. A person who suffers from Bi-Polar usually has the ability to "look" happy-go-lucky to an untrained eye. All of the things that have been discribed about him as a teenager are signs of a manic episode. Also the fact that the stories vary is a sign of the illness. My Father can tell three different versions of the same story in the same day. While I do not know if Justin Furstenfeld is Bi-Polar or not, the way that you are questioning it makes me sick. The point is mental illness is something that should be talked about, more people should try to educate themselves. He is doing a great thing in bringing awareness to the subject.

The first time I heard the song Weight of the World I cried. I don't usually listen to lyrics but those jumped out at me. I truely felt that way. I was diagnose bi polar 16 years ago. A lot of the lyrics speak to me. Nobody truly understands what it's like to be bi polar unless they are bi polar too. You don't know what it's like to see yourself act certain ways that aren't really in your nature. He definitly has an understanding for depressed or bi polar emotions. If I was irritable and you asked for my rx I would blow up on you too. Even if it seems like something small it can trigger a huge reaction with someone that is bi polar. When you said that in his junior high school years he seemed happy go lucky, did those people see him when he was alone? That happy go lucky persona can come out but the depressed emotions can be lurking just below the surface. A lot of times I do that at work. When you said that doctors don't prescribe anti depressants for bi polar, just a mood stabilizers. I am prescribed both. Lamictal and cymbalta. And if you try to argue that I'm on a mood stabilizer already, my doctor tried to take me off it but that didn't work for me. Everyone is different. It took 18 months to get the right meds and dosages to level me out. It's not an easy or straight forward process. My friend Aaron appeared to be very happy, he was always laughing and hanging out with tons of friends. He was athletic good looking and had lots of pretty girls after him. All that going for him couldn't beat the demons he battled when he was alone. He hung himself last year. After reading your article I can't say I side with you. I can see him having bi polar. I'm not a doctor by any means but Ive battled bi polar for 16 years and I have a way better understanding then you do. People with bi polar are hard to understand, it makes life very hard. I'm not upset with you, just giving my opinion.

Sounds to me Mr.Lomax that you are just throwing jabs at Justin pissed off because you didnt get your interview. Do you know him personaly? You have no right to judge people based on other peoples opinions. I would like to see your written documentation that proves there is nothing wrong with Justin. You should be checking to see if your own hands are clean before laying judgement on someone else. Karma is a big angry bitch and she loves people such as yourself. I too am obviously a Big Blue Meanie..You sir are with my utmost respect..A Douchebag!! A Used up useless douchebag at that!! Signed;Another Blue Meanie

Sounds to me Mr.Lomax that you are just throwing jabs at Justin pissed off because you didnt get your interview. Do you know him personaly? You have no right to judge people based on other peoples opinions. I would like to see your written documentation that proves there is nothing wrong with Justin. You should be checking to see if your own hands are clean before laying judgement on someone else. Karma is a big angry bitch and she loves people such as yourself. I too am obviously a Big Blue Meanie..You sir are with my utmost respect..A Douchebag!! A Used up useless douchebag at that!! Signed;Another Blue Meanie

I have struggled with mental illness for as long as I can remember. When I first heard Hate Me I actually cried because I have never had a song touch me the way that song did. I also agree with other people that posted " you can't understand what someone with mental illness is going through unless you've been there and had to deal with all the shit that comes with it. I like Blue October's music and JF has a great voice. That being said I have wondered myself if JF does suffer from mental illness. His lyrics seem to be very sincere and honest but I have read some of the articles where he tells different stories about his mental illness. I also thought him telling this reporter " If someone said you suck cock on the weekend wouldn't you want to know who it was" Was a mean and insensitive thing to say since a lot of LGBT teens suffer from mental issues due to the harrasment and everything else they have to deal with. This wouldn't even be an issue if he wasen't famous. I guess it boils down to this. If your in the public eye you are going to be picked apart more then a normal person. In my opinion JF should just show this dude his RX bottle if he truley suffers from mental illness. It does appear sometimes he is using mental illness to create a image for himself to appeal to a certain crowd. I personally don't know if he is or not. I'm just stating my opinion on different sources I have read from. The guy is a talented musician and I feel he could still be an activist for mental ilness even if he doesen't suffer from it.

I´m bipolar and let me tell you "hate me" talks about something I have felt, its not about the dead of her mother, for me its about hating the pain you cause to someone when you are not well. I have no doubt he IS bipolar and thats because he has been the only singer who has put in word the feelings me and my group of terapy have talked about. Its because of people like you that its so hard at first to accept and get help for this kind of sickness, you should be really ashamed!!! I´ve been in treatment almost half of my life (thankfully) but just because my mom is a therapist. I cant imagine how horrible it must be to have a family that doesnt want to understand that this IT IS a sickness even if it doesnt show. And I do hate people that dont understand and want proof when its non of their bussiness. Can you imagine telling something that is so tabu (sadly) to everyone and have to show proof while you are falling deeply in depresion????? If you haven´t lived with this sickness you should just shut up and try to learn moron

He was writing music a long time ago and I highly doubt if you think you're going to come up with a sweet new band you're gonna be like hey I should pretend to be a whiny crazy asshole. I'm pretty sure you would go with the cool route.

I agree TK :)

There are people out there who have been through what he has. I guess that's why we understand and you don't.

He was probably known for being that way in his early school days because of the manic/hypomanic phase of the illness, dipshit. I've personally experienced mental health problems (psychotic depression with bipolar traits, if you fancy getting technical) during my teens, and have since recovered, having recieved therapy and medication (namely Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a Sodium Valproate brand named "Depakote" if you require further evidence) , and I'm now training to be a mental health nurse. Now, you're a reporter. A journalist. A blogger, even. So, what the fuck qualifies you to question anyone's mental health and state of mind in such a way? Shouldn't you be off stalking Paris Hilton, or trying to sniff Katy Perry's knickers? Yeah, I will grant you, sometimes it isn't outwardly obvious, because you can't see mental illnesses, but you don't go around questioning it in such a blunt, blase' fashion. That is rude, ignorant, and to the individual suffering from the mental illness is going to find that monstrously offensive, funnily enough. And believe me, that is coming from personal experience. Imagine if your mother died, and you were opening up to a friend about it, and their response was "Really? Can I see the death certificate? Because I think you're making it up". Or if you were diagnosed with a terminal cancer, and none of your friends believed you when you told them. You'd go ape shit, wouldn't you. And of course his old classmates are going to be bitchy and cynical; they probably only knew him on the surface, so only saw the outward behavior of hypomania or being difficult to deal with, and are most likely bitter that he's done pretty well for himself in life, seeing as he's a successful musician and spokesman for anti-suicide groups and more, despite his various difficulties. For future reference, don't go around saying things like "I don't think you're mentally ill" and then post a bitchy (and somewhat poorly written) attempt at a dissertation because (unsurprisingly enough) that person and those involved with them got the arsehole with you, and because you didn't like a song that they wrote prior to this. It really is people like you that make people with mental health problems feel ashamed, repressed, and as if it is wrong to speak out in regards to their issues, and continue to make that topic taboo. Do us a favor and get some perspective and ditch the white, upper-middle class, sheltered "holier-than-thou" attitude that your uneventful upbringing instilled in you.

I have a mental illness, do you want my proof too? Why would you ask for proof anyways? It's a very touchy thing to talk about. The only person who really knows about mine is my husband, and he got me through a lot. Justin is my hero for being open enough to the world about it. And you saying "I don't believe you're mentally ill " is one of the worst things you can say to someone who is. Personally, I would have said a big ol' "Fuck you" too! You're a jerk.

The most awesome thing is that there are more people that 'Like' the 'We hate John Lomax' Facebook page than actually like John Lomax's own Facebook page.

Wow. You're really are a sick asshole and seem to enjoy putting people down. Just because people seem happy on the outside doesn't mean they don't have problems. Most people that end up with mental diseases are the ones you least expect. They're the ones who have everything set up for them but can't handle the pressure. He could have been a heartbreaker because he was too guarded to get involved. He might've bullied people to let out his own frustrations. He might be smiling and popular because he had things he felt he had to hide. The reason you write this shit about him is because you are an ASSHOLE. Also, it pays the bills. I bet you just love it when people write back to you and call you names. When you get a death threat you just revel in the fact that someone knows you're name. To put it simply, you're just jealous that you could never express emotions and problems the way Justin does. You may be a writer but you can't write, all you can do is bitch. You're a sorry fuck and a loser.

Just realized something... The reason this guy get's cover stories like this, is specifically BECAUSE he incites people. Think about it - with a "hater" article, he gets readers from BOTH sides of the coin, fans and people who dislike the band! Then, to add insult to injury, the story lives on, getting more attention (and more web hits and advertising dollars) as we all flock to the website to complain or support him.

Next time, just ignore this hack - or better yet, boycott the paper. I can tell you, I certainly won't be coming back (not even to see the replies to my posts) !

Ya know what ? There's more to Justin's lyrics and Blue October's music than just mental illness. Are you going to start questioning his history of drug abuse or his relationship trauma next ? Personally, even though I have people close to me who suffer from mental illness (and suspect I may even be bi-polar, despite a diagnosis), it was the OTHER things he writes about that drew me to his music. It's also quite possible that these other struggles he's had TRIGGERED his mental illness, or at the very least caused trauma to him that makes him identify with those suffering from mental illness. Did you ever think about that ?

you are a pretty lousy person to tell someone who is mentally ill they have to prove it to you. who are YOU to that gives you the right to makes statements like that and then blow it all up saying "oh my goodness he freaked out because i asked something rude, over the top, and not any of my business". honestly, what reaction did you expect?

Whoever wrote this is an ass and should be fired. This is unprofessional, uncalled for, and why would you ask him that question?! That is a personal thing that doesnt have to be discussed if they dont want it to be.

P.S. if you are going to call us names come up with something better then Blue Meanie.

You're easily the biggest jerk of a writer I've ever seen.

This is easily the most unprofessional and vindictive article I have ever read in my life. I am always amused at how some writers feel that people have to 'prove' something to them. Who are you to make such demands? You are nobody. Your article speaks more about your own ego than it does to Justin's. You got what you wanted, attention. So how does that make you any better or different than your accusations against Justin?

The thing that stand out to me the most is your comment that "This story could have gone a lot of ways". I will actually agree with you on that one, but I think you can look in the mirror for the blame. You assume that you are right about Justin making up his mental state, and that is why you chose to immediately attack him. Justin doesn't 'owe' you anything, and if you would have put your own arrogance aside and realize that, this interview might have gone a different direction.

Blue October's music has meaning and that itself makes it better than 75% of the songs that are written today. Where that 'meaning' comes from doesn't much matter, and Justin certainly doesn't have to justify it to you. That 'meaning' has probably helped many people get through a tough time in their life, and that alone has value. Maybe you can explain what positive was to come from this ridiculous diatribe?

I believe YOU made yourself look bad with this article....wow 8 pages....how do you sleep at night?

Your article a exhausting! You must really hate Justin! I wonder what he ever did to you? Its great what he's doing....what are you doing? I know, writing a hater article...that is making you look bad. That is one thing you must not know about mental illness, I've had it since forever...and no one knew. It was my secret. I was thought of the happy popular girl in High School....I didnt need to dress or act EMO to show my depression....its an internal thing. Most mentaly ill patients hide their illness...specially eating disorder patients as you must know....its great that he is speaking out. You need to do more research on mental illness and stop all this hater writing....plus he's from Houston...way to show support to a home guy! NoT

What an idiot you are! You don't understand mental illness or Justin Furstenfeld! Great journalism FUCKTARD!!!

first off i have mental illness and i was happy go lucky and highschool to. and you know what it didnt hit me hard until my early 20's and i was a mess and still am i suffer from major depression PTSD with pyscotic features and it really didnt hit me till then you know why? because your brain isnt fully developed till then. i beleave he did get hospitalized and you know the thing about his mom could have been mediforical i think also the fact he didnt wanna show you his meds is his right your not a doctor and to exsploit that makes you a horrible person. all he does is try to help those like him . he isnt proud of it and i think your doing all this just cause he called you out honestly on your BS and you just dont like the band get over it he is my hero and his music has gotten me through so much you cant see a physical ailments of mental illness but it is very hard to get through and people like you who do not suffer from it would have no idea what its like. he makes me feel like i am not alone and just so you know he did do those anti suicide concerts still.I would know i went to one.do more research before you start judging people please cause you make all of us with mental illness look like liers.

Mr Lomax,You have NO right to ask for a Rx from anybody....who the F do you think you are? That is private information, nobody should have to disclose....You have NO IDEA what you are talking about and fortunately nobody you know is afflicted with mental illness.....you wait, your tie will come when somebody close to you will be struck with depression, bipolar, anxiety, etc....and then I want you to read your article, you ignorant person. You know what, you are not worth my time....

Ok, Now this is actually in relation to a link, I deeply resent you implying "blue meanies" (your the only person I have heard use this term so maybe it is a local thing) are ignorant, stupid, or crazy. All this does is feed the view that you do indeed have a personal issue with Justin or the band and are using your position to grind that ax. You are welcome to question a public figures claims I believe, you are welcome to not understand a musical preference of another (someone explain to me the appeal of muse, or the black keys, or lady gaga) but you should not attack someone on a personal level because they like to listen to or find significance where you do not.

I like blue octobers music (although I am now deeply interested in having all the articles you cited as a way to show his inconsistencies, given enough time I will find them if they exist) but my relation to this particular bands lyrics does not in any way diminish my ability to think, be rational, or behave within societies acceptable perimeters.

"And this anonymous reader wanted the Post -- the home of Woodward and Bernstein -- to weigh in on my journalistic ethics. (Okay, I'm not sure why she's asking the humor columnist about this, but that's those crazy Blue Meanies for ya.)"

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/...

Ok, Now this is actually in relation to a link, I deeply resent you implying "blue meanies" (your the only person I have heard use this term so maybe it is a local thing) are ignorant, stupid, or crazy. All this does is feed the view that you do indeed have a personal issue with Justin or the band and are using your position to grind that ax.

"And this anonymous reader wanted the Post -- the home of Woodward and Bernstein -- to weigh in on my journalistic ethics. (Okay, I'm not sure why she's asking the humor columnist about this, but that's those crazy Blue Meanies for ya.)"

Ok, Now this is actually in relation to a link, I deeply resent you implying "blue meanies" (your the only person I have heard use this term so maybe it is a local thing) are ignorant, stupid, or crazy.

I agree with most of these comments that say you have a personal vendetta against Justin, it does kind of read like that, but that doesn't mean you aren't 100% right. I have always thought that Justin's personal struggles as reported in many articles were a little shady. I think he seems sort of selfish and phony and very contradictory. I think that there is something wrong with him, just not what he wants everyone to believe. When it comes down to it though I still love his music. I am a Blue October fan, I've bought the CD's, shirts, gone to the concerts, etc. I think that is what it should always come down to-the music. And that is a totally different subject, people will like it or they won't, to each their own. I think that this article should inspire more questions though and it would be nice if it inspired some truth. The comments make me sad, people can't see passed their own bias to even think about what you are saying. I hope I never become that blind. I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed this article.

You my friend are a peice of genuine shit. I hope one day you get whats coming to you, A punch right in the fucking mouth.

Since you are such a non-believer in people I wonder if you've contacted Michael J Fox to get proof of his Parkinsons?? Or are you putting it down to increadible acting??

The idiots in Texas really are bigger! Obviously this "writer" has too much time on his hands...there are 8 pages of bloated and ignorant rants that have no point. Thanks for posting though...it is a great example of stereotypical misconceptions of mental illness!

Just because a person doesn't have medication does not mean he or she is not mentally ill. Justin uses his music as his therapy instead of prescribed mood-stabilizers. You obviously feel the need to write this malicious piece in order to soothe your own personal problems. Why don't you leave this amazing artist alone and see a doctor? By writing this, you are hurting all those who have been affected by suicide. Justin is doing a lot more good than you are. I know this because his music has saved my life on many occasions. You assumption that he is not mentally unstable is unfounded. Besides, you have no place to be judging someone else's feelings. This piece is a waste of words.

I hope you dont just keep your vendetta solely focussed on Justin and extend it to other "famous" persons who also claim that they have mental ilnesses, disabilities, disease's or indeed a common cold!I do believe in Justin as I do my best friend who has bi-polar. My belief and support in and for my friend is such that I do not need to see a bottle of pills or a medical certificate to account for his behaviour. I think you need to move on from this and find something else to tackle your ill-informed and judgemental mind!

You, my friend, obviously have much more mental instability than Justin. Justin is creative and sweet, deperately wanting to save people from something that lead him to stare death in the face. My best friend committed suicide on december tenth of last year. i am selling bracelets to help raise suicide awareness. Are you gonna ask me for proof that shes dead? I gave Justin and the rest of the band those bracelets and they wore them on stage.What kind of liars would take a gift from a fan and act like they feel for them? They are great guys, and attcking Justin just to get a controversial, money-grabbing article written is selfish. Plus, you wanted to exploit him in his own hometown newspaper. Give me a break. I recommend thinking about morals before business.

This article made me feel many things. 1. Shock 2. Disbelief 3. Confusion... And then I began to rationalize this... Although your tirade was intended to build a case to make the reader conclude that Justin is a liar and a fake; anyone who would fake such mental issues is clearly sick, and there is no way to get around this. All you have to do is pick up a psychology book to know this. Pathological lying is directly tied to sociopathic behavior (especially narcissism) and/or bipolar disorder, mania, and schizophrenia as well as many other possible diagnosis. No sane and healthy person is a pathological liar; period. That is a moral flaw.

Well, I am not sure what I feel after reading this article. On one hand, I think you may have some underlying issues with Justin or his lyrics may just strike a nerve with you. Maybe you should consider talking to a professional a about your own issues and not justin's. And on the other hand I can kinda see your side of the issue . But Anyone can walk around with bottles of pills and in my opinion they could easily walk intoA dr office and get a piece of paper that said " crazy as fuck!". S

All I can say is wow. I have seen Justin perform live, well over 30 times in the last 12 years. I can tell u that Justin is, or at least has been, very mentally I'll. It's been very apparent from stage prescences. I once watched him completely break down in tears and roll around on the ground in a fetal position during a show. This happened at a bar, in Lincoln, NE. I have also seen many shows where he appears well, and happy. He has issues. I can also say, that he ad Blue October saved my life, as I was a suicidal teen and young man. I struggled with many issues, and the music and lyrics of Blue October got me through it. So whiter u think it's fake or real, it works!! October 29th, 1997 is when he committed himself. If u r going to be a writer, at least be an educated writer. This is blatantly stated in a song he wrote. Know the music of a band u r goin to criticize my friend.

You, my dear sir, need to read a book a psychology and/or mental illnesses. To suggest that a prescription could serve as "proof" of mental illness is naive and suggestive of a very uneducated person. Asking someone to prove that they suffer from a mental illness is just classless and immature. Would you consider asking a post-war veteran to prove that he was indeed traumatized by showing you a pill bottle?

I will refrain from heaping insults upon you since I am certain that you will eventually come to see yourself for what you are and that should serve as punishment enough. I truly hope that one day you are able to focus your passion for writing on a more inspirational subject.

Leave Justin alone...it is clear you never dealt with depression or any other form of illness. You don't understand the pain in dealing with it. Why would anyone seriously want to talk about the illness thay strippes a person. Even if others said Justin never seemed depressed or have problems as a kid. I seem fine now people think Im happy but hell I dont want to be alive half of the time. It is people like you, that make people give up on everything.