By the time I got the full story, it was all over but the post-hostage-crisis analysis, which basically boiled down to this: the guy was crazy.

The connotation there is negative. You could easily have said he was “ill,” “sick,” or “psychotic.” And at the end you confirm the negative connotation by saying

From where I sit, anyone who doesn’t include significant support for mental health treatment is, well, crazy.

I realize that you meant this to go with your title – which isn’t negative – “I Think You’re Crazy. Just Like Me.” As a complete piece, I can see your intent isn’t to castigate the mentally ill. I just found it interesting that the word choice inadvertently helped to continue the stigma unintentionally.

Sadly, I do it in my own speech and writing too. It’s a vicious cycle that ingrained in our culture. Thanks for highlighting this, Terrance.