I don't know exactly why I don't like "mental illness." Maybe because we usually don't say things like "physical illness"? Like, "You know, Frank, she has a physical illness." We seem to accept that people who are sick can't help it? But it's a brain problem we have. Would I like "she has a problem with her brain" any better? Probably not!
Years ago a mental-health professional suggested "problems in living" rather than "mental illness." Maybe I'm leaning toward that.
People even get scared of me if I tell them I am bipolar.

I think lots of the media lead people to think we are dangerous.