What exact IS a “mental illness” anyway?

[4everHeartBroken]

1. Any disease of the mind; the psychological state of someone who has emotional or behavioral problems serious enough to require psychiatric intervention.

This definition doesn't sit well with me. So what exactly is a "disease of the mind"? It's not enough.

I can understand schizophrenia being a mental illness, where a person can be completely out of touch with their surroundings with delusions and visual or auditory hallucinations. I'm talking about what we consider the #1 most common "mental illness", which is chronic depression.

"You have chronic depression."
In THIS crazy world…… REALLY?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I read somewhere that laughing too hard or crying too hard can be considered momentarily "going crazy". I feel sometimes that "chronic depression" with suicidal thoughts is simply becoming more aware of reality. Like Jim Carrey said, "depression" is simply your mind taking a "deep rest" and becoming more aware of reality.

What if chronic depression (even with suicidal thoughts) is NOT in fact a "mental illness" as humans are currently labeling it as. What if mental illness is in fact, being so caught up in this weird 9-5 "life" that you never think about SU (a natural thought, in my opinion) and the people who think about death are actually the LESS "mentally ill" group because we are simply more aware of life EQUAL TO as frequently as we think about death? What if the current mentally ill or "depressed" people are actually the more evolved humans because we can think about life AND death equally, instead of pretending death doesn't exist and that we aren't supposed to think about it.

What if in the future, the mental heath field realizes that chronic depression is NOT in fact a mental illness but simply a person becoming more aware?

I don't think death should be considered scary as we make it out to be on Halloween. I feel death is just as natural as birth, but we favor life over……… that terrible terrible place called…… dun… dun… dunnnnnn…… DEATH.

I think it's strange that we consider it a "mental illness" or a "disease of the mind" if you think about the sad parts of your life too much… which in my mind, is a part of your life, especially if you've had a lot of trauma. I think if 90% of your life was sad that we're supposed to try to find the rainbows and butterflies in life and THEN we'll be considered "mentally healthy"?! That just feels opposite, unnatural and weird to me.

Perhaps depression is considered the #1 "mental illness" because maybe perhaps, most people who are diagnosed with depression are just simply people adapting to LIFE (our natural, crazy environment!) and it's not in fact a "disease of the mind"?! What if people who are simply depressed (even with suicidal thoughts) do NOT have a "disease of the mind" and are simply humans with minds that are adapting to and responding to their natural environment… which is f*ing depression in my opinion!

Sorry for the rant. I just really needed to get that out.

 

[WhatCouldHaveBeen32]

Mental illness varies, some cases there is trully a general imbalance in the brain , from neurotransmitters to chemicals that can cause schizophrenia for example but many doctors are sure to say that every single depression case is the same, as in , it's a chemical imbalance, this however just isn't true and them accepting this wouldn't make the cases where the depression comes from a chemical imbalance any less true than they are.

As you said, depression in our day and age varies and for some people it can truly be an incompatibility with modern life alongside other complications be it physical/mental that can come in many shapes and forms. But the doctors and the population will never accept this answer as truth because it would mean that life isn't worth living. So we are left with people who can never be truly treated by medication that suffer apparently from the same depression as a person WHO CAN be treated by medication, it's truly a mystery , right?

 

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Something only you have and only you know: the pain and what you're going through. Psychiatrists diagnose and label things even if they're unknown. They give you pills like candy. What works for you? Good, what doesn't? It doesn't matter if they fry your brain. The one that sticks to you and messes up your brain more than those of us who have it, better. But the only ones who know the suffering, the pain, and what we're going through are ourselves, the ones who fight and endure every day. No one can put themselves in your shoes.

 

[Worndown]

Think of it like a broken jukebox.
You put in your coin, make your selection and a different song plays.

 

[divinemistress36]

We are lab rats . Experimented on for something nobody really knows how to treat

 

[FuneralCry]

I understand, for me wanting to cease existing is a response to existence itself, I see existence as the true problem and I'd just always prefer to not exist than be burdened with this futile existence suffering all for the sake of it just to decay and die anyway, non-existence is all I personally see as desirable. I'd rather just cease existing painlessly to save myself from all future suffering in this existence I never would had chosen than die in agony tortured by old age, I'd rather just not suffer at all in this unnecessary existence where there is no limit as to how much agony one can feel.

 

[sadsoni]

We are lab rats . Experimented on for something nobody really knows how to treat

One of my shrinks actually told me this: mental illness is very poorly understood and it's all experimental. While passing along my upteenth prescription.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I feel frustrated too with the very whoolly definitions and diagnoses. It seems to me like some conditions do indeed exist though. Conditions such as bipolar and PTSD responses, schizophrenia all have observable symptoms. So, it seems reasonable to say it is real. However, I agree- conditions like depression are harder to pin down. I think there are various severities for one.

Really though, anything that has become debilitating is a problem. I think maybe that is the best guage. Is whatever it is we are experiencing screwing up our life? That can go for a whole number of things- social anxiety, limerence, eating disorders, compulsive disorders. When they start to dominate our life then- maybe it is fair to call whatever it is- an illness.

One of the guages I suppose is comparison. Have we changed? Have we lost or gained in our appetite or sleep patterns? Sex drive, interest in hobbies etc? That's really not so different to physical illness. Why can't I breathe through my nose? I usually can breathe through my nose- maybe I'm coming down with a cold! I think noticing that we have no energy, no appetite, can't sleep, can't get out of bed easily is obviously a hint that something is wrong.

I do also agrew with you though. There's an awful lot to be miserable about in this world! Many people live very difficult lives. How 'normal' is it to feel all that comfortable in a world like this?

The more challenging issue for things like assisted suicide are whether we can still be respected as being mentally competent despite these things. I really wish they would sort that one out.

Plus, I want them to acknowledge that some people do seem to be treatment resistant. I get the impression people have to leap through more hoops of fire to prove they have suffered mentally compared to physical illness.

 

[RadiantNumber]

I sometimes think if this wor was coined to push us more drugs which are not working, I have "depression" and was treated with all types of drugs even psychotherapy and it didn't work

 

[SilentSadness]

Yes, mental illness is one of those terms used to control and categorise others. Many people use explanations like "chemical imbalance" and "dysfunctional body" but in reality the term is just used to describe people who are not liked. It's similar to how "scam" is a term used interchangeably with "purchase one does not agree with". The truth is that, while some mental illnesses impact the person's functions in a way that hurts the person, many "mental illnesses" are just mental states people do not approve of. In fact there are many deviations from the mental normal that are not classified as mental illnesses. Aphantasia is a condition (spectrum) where someone can't visualise anything in their mind, meaning they have no imagination. But it's not considered a mental illness, because even complete lack of creativity and reasoning skills are seen as acceptable in this society. However, suicide and depression aren't.

 

[depressedinsomniac]

What a post! So mental illness is totally due to chemical levels being out of whack totally! Can they be rebalanced? Hard to say. Can it be done with meds? Again hard to say. I guess for some people it works. But yeah I agree with divinemistress36 we basically become lab rats many times. Which is terrible. Sometimes we get lucky and the prescription fits. Sometimes it leaves us much worse off. Which is pretty much terrible. I LOVE THE JIM CARREY QOUTE! And remember folks. He is filthy rich! The modern day problems really don't affect him in my view. Least not much in terms of hunger/needing to be a wage slave. He could live modestly and be good. But he too gets caught up. You could smoke pot or booze up but those type of things catch up to you. Same with harder drugs. It's wild! What a system. Yeah I gotta agree once you become aware of it at a certain point it's depressing. It just is. I can't help but think that folks who lived hundreds or thousands of years ago had a more natural existence. Albeit harder. A freer one. They also hard much shorter life spans so there's that. Modern life! It will really wear ya down!

 

[Worndown]

Chemical imbalances are one cause.
There are more.

 

[EvisceratedJester]

but many doctors are sure to say that every single depression case is the same, as in , it's a chemical imbalance

Most wouldn't. It's well-known that the cause of depression is more complex than that and it's mostly people who don't work in the medical field, especially in psychiatry, who are the main ones perpetuating this misconception.

 

[deadstillwalking]

Yes, mental illness is one of those terms used to control and categorise others. Many people use explanations like "chemical imbalance" and "dysfunctional body" but in reality the term is just used to describe people who are not liked. It's similar to how "scam" is a term used interchangeably with "purchase one does not agree with". The truth is that, while some mental illnesses impact the person's functions in a way that hurts the person, many "mental illnesses" are just mental states people do not approve of. In fact there are many deviations from the mental normal that are not classified as mental illnesses. Aphantasia is a condition (spectrum) where someone can't visualise anything in their mind, meaning they have no imagination. But it's not considered a mental illness, because even complete lack of creativity and reasoning skills are seen as acceptable in this society. However, suicide and depression aren't.

well, a lack of imagination doesn't cause you to be delusional unlike depression, does it? When I hear the term "mental illness" the simpliest definition I can come up with is straying away from natural brain functions. Ending yourself due to your emotions isn't socially acceptable, neither is it natural. Psychopaths and narcissists are fully functional human beings, however humans are very social beings meant to live and work together, thus these people are labeled as mentally ill. Having no imagination literally doesn't mean anything.

 

[SilentSadness]

well, a lack of imagination doesn't cause you to be delusional unlike depression, does it? When I hear the term "mental illness" the simpliest definition I can come up with is straying away from natural brain functions. Ending yourself due to your emotions isn't socially acceptable, neither is it natural. Psychopaths and narcissists are fully functional human beings, however humans are very social beings meant to live and work together, thus these people are labeled as mentally ill. Having no imagination literally doesn't mean anything.

Are you a pro lifer? Depression doesn't cause delusions. Depression is just being abnormally upset or miserable. Also, "straying away from your natural brain functions" is a terrible definition for mental illness, because natural brain functions are to prioritise oneself at all costs, have sexual intercourse with anyone attractive, eliminate anything that could be considered a threat, be hostile to any change including positive change, and much more. The idea that humans are "meant to live and work together" is just ignoring the fact that humans aren't "meant" for anything and the only thing that caused humans to be this way was natural selection. As for not having an imagination meaning nothing, are you serious?

 

[vitbar]

It feels like a sickness festering away inside me when it gets bad.

I get where you are coming from though. Some of it is the result of how shit the world can be, and being someone prone to introspect, dwell on things, etc. Given all that the depression could be seen as a reasonable response. Thing is that reasonableness doesn't stop it from being an illness. Lots of things cause illness in a very obvious totally reasonable way (sports have their specific injuries, poor nutrition, smoking, alcohol overconsumption etc.)

 

[deadstillwalking]

Are you a pro lifer? Depression doesn't cause delusions. Depression is just being abnormally upset or miserable. Also, "straying away from your natural brain functions" is a terrible definition for mental illness, because natural brain functions are to prioritise oneself at all costs, have sexual intercourse with anyone attractive, eliminate anything that could be considered a threat, be hostile to any change including positive change, and much more. The idea that humans are "meant to live and work together" is just ignoring the fact that humans aren't "meant" for anything and the only thing that caused humans to be this way was natural selection. As for not having an imagination meaning nothing, are you serious?

yeah, no. You literally didn't get me at all but okay. I have no idea why you're trying to oversimplify our brain by saying that "having sexual intercourse with anyone attractive" is a valid point, we both know that there is so much more behind that. I understand what you said about natural selection, what does that having anything to do with my point? We are DETERMINED to be social beings, that's how we've worked, that's how we work today, and it isn't going to change anytime soon. Deciding that you no longer need this function which has helped our ancestors to survive is going to have drawbacks on you, because it has been literally ENCODED into our brains when we were born??? Yes, a lack of imagination barely means anything in the nature, I'm not changing that opinion until you prove me wrong. As for depression causing delusions, that is real and can happen. I know because I went through it. Depression isn't just being overly sad, you influence your environment with your behavior with this condition, have you ever realised that? well I didn't, it took me a while to figure this one out. In the end, this was just my personal opinion, no need to suspect me of being a prolifer (??). Sorry if my opinion upset you, can I ask, do you even believe that mental illness is a real thing? (putting its definition aside, I literally need to know what you think a mental illness looks like)

 

[SilentSadness]

yeah, no. You literally didn't get me at all but okay. I have no idea why you're trying to oversimplify our brain by saying that "having sexual intercourse with anyone attractive" is a valid point, we both know that there is so much more behind that. I understand what you said about natural selection, what does that having anything to do with my point? We are DETERMINED to be social beings, that's how we've worked, that's how we work today, and it isn't going to change anytime soon. Deciding that you no longer need this function which has helped our ancestors to survive is going to have drawbacks on you, because it has been literally ENCODED into our brains when we were born??? Yes, a lack of imagination barely means anything in the nature, I'm not changing that opinion until you prove me wrong. As for depression causing delusions, that is real and can happen. I know because I went through it. Depression isn't just being overly sad, you influence your environment with your behavior with this condition, have you ever realised that? well I didn't, it took me a while to figure this one out. In the end, this was just my personal opinion, no need to suspect me of being a prolifer (??). Sorry if my opinion upset you, can I ask, do you even believe that mental illness is a real thing? (putting its definition aside, I literally need to know what you think a mental illness looks like)

I said mental illness is just a term used to describe people or behaviour you don't like, and this response is a great example. "We are determined to be social beings" is just an assertion, and you've decided to categorise anyone who's not social as being mentally ill and thus in need of treatment. The idea that a lack of imagination is not serious is obviously not in good faith. As for depression causing delusions, you may be getting confused with schizophrenia since depression is categorised as a "mood disorder" (just a term used to belittle people for having an understandable negative reaction to the world around them at this point).

 

[deadstillwalking]

I said mental illness is just a term used to describe people or behaviour you don't like, and this response is a great example. "We are determined to be social beings" is just an assertion, and you've decided to categorise anyone who's not social as being mentally ill and thus in need of treatment. The idea that a lack of imagination is not serious is obviously not in good faith. As for depression causing delusions, you may be getting confused with schizophrenia since depression is categorised as a "mood disorder" (just a term used to belittle people for having an understandable negative reaction to the world around them at this point).

Again I'm saying that us being social is inevitable, it's not an assertion, not a prefence, it's a fact. But what do you even imagine when you read the term "social being"? You think I call introverts mentally ill? Being social means being able to have compassion, being sympathetic, craving social contact (yes, at one point everyone needs to socialize, that's why many people here suffer greatly because they feel isolated). Victims of ASPD feel isolated too, because they lost some of mentioned functions. Empathy, emotional inteligence, this all exists because we evolved to be SOCIAL. I just tried to avoid writing long essays by summarizing all of there characteristics into one word but I guess you just didn't figure it out. No, I'm not mistaking depression with schizophrenia, the severity of depression can result in psychotic features that are common in plenty of illnesses. At this point I'm not even sure if you are being serious? It's called a mood disorder for a reason. If you want to consider hormonal imbalance - the term you disprove of so much - normal, go ahead. But before you try to argue against science, please, pick up a book just like I did. You can easily pirate them online if the money is the issue, if you found DMC then this can't be a problem.

 

[ignorableaurochs]

Not to be annoying but the 'chemical imbalance' theory of depression is very outdated and not supported by psychiatrists today. That does *not* mean that neurotransmitters and brain misfunctioning don't play a role - I'm not one of those disingenuous antipsychs like Joanna Moncrieff. But, I think that it's oversimplified.

The most popular understanding of mental illness today is that it is 'biopsychosocial', ie informed by biological, social, and psychological factors. This might be things like genetics, environment eg access to wealth or exposure to discrimination, early life factors like abuse and other things that can shape one's personality and response to adverse life events.

In this sense, depression can be caused by environmental factors as you describe. BUT, things can make you more vulnerable to it: genetic predisposition, personality, early life events which might shape how you respond to adversity. It might make it more difficult for someone to recover from stressful situations.

Ultimately, I think of mental illness as a mental suffering which produces symptoms which have negative consequences for those experiencing it, above and beyond that of a normal emotional response.

I think we should be accommodating of those who feel that their experiences are grounded in environmental concerns (life stressors, lack of finances, loneliness) while also acknowledging that illness is complex. (OP I am NOT accusing you of this, just ranting about others I have seen on Twitter and so on) -> I do see a lot of 'anti psych' types who insist that *all* mental illness is a 'natural' response to a broken world, and that various panaceas - more sunlight, more exercise, more social connections - would fix it all for everyone. This bothers me personally, as someone with a severe and chronic mental illness which has not abated despite tonnes of lifestyle changes and lots of treatment. I do believe that for some people, like myself, illness is not something that can be changed easily with environmental circumstance. Of course, we should be advocating for a world in which everyone's material needs are looked after, to minimise the 'social' part of the 'biopsychosocial' pathway. I guess it's just important to me to recognise that nuance, as focusing excessively on one part of the picture can sometimes exclude certain individuals and harm more than it helps. (Again, this isn't directed at you OP, I am just ranting.)

Sorry… my brain isn't working tonight… I hope this makes sense

 

[davidtorez]

I'm still not even sure if depression is a symptom of something thats amiss or is it a disease in itself ?

 

[ignorableaurochs]

I'm still not even sure if depression is a symptom of something thats amiss or is it a disease in itself ?

My understanding (though I am not a psychologist or anything adjacent, just someone who has read a lot about it on account of my situation) (lol, that autocorrected to 'prison' and feels rather apt) is that it can be both.

Major depression itself is considered a disease, and negative life circumstances can be a 'risk factor' for it. You can also have situational depression, which resolves when the environment changes, and I guess this is where the lines get blurrier with what is considered a disease and what isn't. I guess the profound change in function makes it a disease. Then there are things like psychotic depression and post-natal depression which feel a little easier to tie to biological circumstance.

 

[davidtorez]

My understanding (though I am not a psychologist or anything adjacent, just someone who has read a lot about it on account of my situation) (lol, that autocorrected to 'prison' and feels rather apt) is that it can be both.

Major depression itself is considered a disease, and negative life circumstances can be a 'risk factor' for it. You can also have situational depression, which resolves when the environment changes, and I guess this is where the lines get blurrier with what is considered a disease and what isn't. I guess the profound change in function makes it a disease. Then there are things like psychotic depression and post-natal depression which feel a little easier to tie to biological circumstance.

Makes sense. The brain is the most complex organ so it's natural to have more complicated answers about its functioning etc.