As I just mentioned on another thread, I don't think anyone is perfectly healthy; none of us lives in a vacuum of perfect development and growth, we're all afflicted with some variety of trouble.. therefore why take the particularities of one's own health profile so hard, as a reflection on our significance, our power, our essence? Most of my problems stem from horrific abusive I suffered as a child -- shall I look at it that I should have somehow been stronger? I could look at it that way; I've even had psychiatrists suggest as much (and wonder why in the heck they ever got into the field), but I know that my unique set of qualities has purpose in the grand scheme, that my strength ultimately comes from my sensitivity and knowledge, albeit over time.

I know it's easier said than done. When I'm in the midst of a major depressive episode I can hardly be convinced of my value in the world, and when that episode goes on for years in a row (which all of mine have) it takes on its own power.

But when I'm in my relative rightest mind, at least intellectually, I know better. I know that the lack of support and understanding society tends to have is not helping matters any, creating an environment that rates people based on surface effects, and that it complicates my recovery every time.

I just don't think feeling like one is "sick" is particularly validating, or even true since it's the way of the world, of science, of biology. Since everyone has something (the bacteria cells in our body alone outnumber human cells 10 to 1), what's the point of calling it illness, instead of differences, dynamics, focuses, etc.? We could still be helping people, without all the disease-mongering.