Some people liken psychiatric illness such as depression to diabetes, noting that it is a biochemical problem for which one must take medication. It doesn't go away, but it can be managed. I have used that analogy, since I have both conditions, but recently I've come to believe that epilepsy may be a better comparison. Diabetes is a different malfunctioning organ, but depression and epilepsy have the brain in common. Just now, on a Christian website, I told off a person who insists that "all ongoing depression is rooted in sin," and as he worded it, "I agree when we have a medical problem seek a doctor, but so called mental problems are caused by spiritual issues so seek a spiritual cure and that is just plain common sense."

If this had been a real-life confrontation, I'm afraid he may be digging my shoe out of his....(ahem).

First I told him that mental illness is medical too, since it involves the physical brain. I hope he doesn't go around telling epileptics not to take their medication, but just pray and decide they're not going to have a seizure. Then, since I happen to be a moderator on that web site, I reminded everyone of the rule we have there against giving medical advice, or suggesting that someone should disregard what their doctor says.

Another analogy I've heard used is not actually a condition, but the prevention of one. A nurse observed that it doesn't make any sense to ask a fertile, sexually active woman who doesn't want to get pregnant, "Why are you still taking those birth control pills? You haven't gotten pregnant in a long time now." The obvious answer is, she isn't getting pregnant exactly *because* she is taking those birth control pills.

Do you ever explain MI in light of other medical conditions?