PDFWhat is mental illness?
7 July 2011
Mental illness is emotional sensitivity to life's pain and pitfalls.
This sensitivity is a mixed blessing, because it predisposes to both
illness and insight. Sometimes, "mentally ill" people have special
insights that "normal" people lack. So let's not be too quick to diagnose
and treat the "signs and symptoms" of "mental illness." Instead, let's
listen, learn, comfort, and support, but not stigmatize, ostracize,
marginalize, or hospitalize. Sensitivity is creativity, not negativity.
Competing interests: None declared
Eagle Rock, MO 65641 USA
Click to rate: