Mental illnesses are real. But the construct of “mental illness” isn’t. There is no such thing as an “illness” that is completely psychological in nature, ie. only “caused by thoughts and behaviours”.

What are called mental illnesses belongs into three broad categories instead:

Biological Illnesses

Many “mental” illnesses are genuine biological illnesses that have been shunned from fields such as neurology and stigmatised by calling them mental.

Ie. Schizophrenia (part genetic, several brain changes), Bipolar (genetic, HPA axis dysregulation + structural signs), Major depressive disorders etc. I’d like to remind that many genuine illnesses that dont even affect the brain were called mental illnesses before we fully figured the pathology out. From peptic ulcer to lupus.

difficult living conditions manifesting through changes in behaviour

ie. Some cases of anxiety disorder (maybe its normal to be anxious in the case you’re living, ie. stressful 9-5 with lots of responsibilities), reactive depression (it isn’t a mental illness to be depressed when your spouse dies, its completely normal)

Normal behaviours that society chooses to brand as deviant

ie. Gender dysphoria is not a mental illness, it is NORMAL, Same thing as homosexuality was called a mental illness in the past

  • @NeoNachtwaechterEnglish
    6•4 months ago

    I don’t like your opinion because you are oversimplifying.

    For example: Where are all the addictions in your view of the world? They can have so many fundamentally different causes.

    • @[email protected]English
      2•4 months ago

      I mean, it sounds like you’re making a great argument for treating addiction like a symptom, rather than an illness, which sounds pretty reasonable to me.

          • @NeoNachtwaechterEnglish
            1•4 months ago

            What I have said before. Not what you made up after it.

            • @[email protected]English
              0•4 months ago

              Ok, like I know you’re not trying to make the arguythay addiction is a symptom rather than an illness, but what you said would support the idea.

              Why are you even here? This is a discussion forum, and you’re just staunchly refusing to engage with discussion? I’m not telling you to leave or anything. I’m just confused on what you’re even getting out of this experience.