Concerns Regarding Brittney Leigh's Article on LM's Mental Health

I recently came across an article by Brittany Leigh in which she compares her ex-boyfriend's experience with early schizophrenia and speculates that LM might also have it. (You need a Medium account to access the article)

1. Ethical Concerns:
The article speculates that LM may have schizophrenia based on behaviour interpreted through the author's personal experiences (her ex-boyfriend). Publicly diagnosing someone without professional qualifications or direct knowledge is unethical. This also risks stigmatizing mental health conditions like schizophrenia, contributing to broader societal harm. While the author acknowledges the importance of not stigmatizing people with schizophrenia, the article nonetheless associates violence with the condition, which is problematic.

2. Potential Harm to Reputation:
If LM has not been publicly diagnosed with schizophrenia, suggesting he might be in the early stages of it can severely damage his reputation and legal standing. Speculating about someone's mental health, especially without evidence, can lead to misunderstandings and misrepresentations of their actions.

3. Medical Accuracy:
The article compares schizophrenia symptoms with LM’s behavior but lacks verified medical evidence to support these claims. It’s misleading and inappropriate to publicly diagnose or speculate about someone's mental health without proper qualifications. This can create confusion for readers and misinform the public.

4. The Impact of Online Exposure:
Although this article has relatively few comments, over 200 people on Medium have liked it. This exposure, no matter how small, can still influence public perception and potentially have an impact on LM’s case. Articles like this contribute to shaping how people view LM and may create a narrative that affects legal proceedings, reputation, and public opinion.

Why This Matters:
Speculating about someone's mental health publicly can harm both the individual and public understanding of mental health. Baseless claims fuel misinformation and harmful stereotypes. It's crucial to promote responsible, respectful discussions to prevent the misrepresentation of vulnerable individuals.

I've reached out to the author, expressing that her article is damaging to the overall discussion surrounding schizophrenia and to LM's case (before he has even gone through trial). She has not responded. I have also reported the article as it falls under misinformation and harmful content.