As for combat PTSD... I find it offensive to say these people are "ill" because they are affected. That's ****ING NORMAL REACTION TO a ****ED UP SITUATION and I would more worry if somebody came back from hell and be perfectly chill about that. THAT is pathology. (it's not just an academic subject to me either).

Again, why does it have to be considered "illness" to be considered serious? If one loses spouse or family member and is devasted, they are "ill"? If somebody is not flegmatic and whatever-dude to what is happening to them, they are ill?

Btw, I never used the term "dramatic". It's been thrown around by proponents of "illness" model. Why is it that you are either "ill" or "dramatic"... what about a human? Somebody encountering life difficulties?

Maybe it's a self-perception of those who really struggle... maybe "ill" is better then dramatic (but then again "dramatic" is also self perception, and many people don't see it that way). But "ill" creates lot of self-imposed limits. Creates false expections of self and others.