Tom Cruise is starting to get on my nerves. First I watched his over-the-top antics on Oprah when he gushed about Katie Holmes. (Yes. You’re in love. We get it.)

I was even more annoyed when I watched his “War of the Words” with Matt Lauer on the Today show. He criticized Brooke Shields – and others – for using medication to deal with psychological problems. How does he know, I wondered when I saw the interview. Has he ever given birth? Before slamming Brooke Shields, he should walk a mile in her shoes – preferably her most uncomfortable high heels.

Brooke Shields isn’t the only one who has been helped by medication. Over the Fourth of July, I saw first-hand how drugs can help with emotional problems. A member of my own family became mentally distressed. Like Tom Cruise, he became hyper and mentally agitated, running around and jumping on the furniture.

“Hercules,” we scolded, “get down from the couch!”

It happens every year. When the snap, crackle and pop of Independence Day starts in late June, our pitiful pup becomes traumatized. He gets upset and races around erratically. Hercules doesn’t understand the noise is harmless, caused by people celebrating American freedom…like the freedom to drive to the nearest Indian Reservation to buy firecrackers.

I hate watching the little guy suffer. So when a friend suggested I call the veterinarian to get some “doggy downers” that would calm him, I thought, what a great idea!

But as I dialed the phone, the whole Tom Cruise thing had me rattled. He’d been so worked up when he ranted to Matt Lauer about the pseudo-science of psychiatry…giving drugs to those who are helpless…using electrotherapy....

Tom knows what he’s talking about, because he’s studied the history of psychiatry. Suddenly I thought about hanging up – I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing. Should I really be drugging my poor dog? Maybe Hercules could be cured with diet and exercise, just like Tom said. Had Hercules been getting the right nutrition? Or did he need supplements? What about exercise? I’d been taking him on a brisk daily walk, but should I have added a weight-training regimen?

Finally the vet came on the line. I described the problem, feeling guilty when I asked if she could help. “No problem,” she answered, “I’ll give you something that will take the edge off.”

Remembering Tom’s words, I asked, “Won’t drugs just mask the problem?”

“Exactly,” she answered.

Later, I hid one of the tiny pills in a glob of cheese and fed it to Hercules. I waited to see if it would help. I was relieved when, a half-hour later, he was much calmer. The medication stopped his erratic behavior, relaxed him, and even got him down from the couch.

If only it could do the same for Tom.