" PTSD is a psychiatric injury, not a mental illness. One symptom of psychiatric injury is reactive depression which leads to thoughts of suicide."

Mental illness
* the cause is easily identifiable and verifiable, but denied by those who are accountable
* the person may be incoherent or what they say doesn't make sense
* the person may appear to be obsessed
* the person is oblivious to their behaviour and the effect it has on others
* the depression is a clinical or endogenous depression
* there may be a history of depression in the family
* the person has usually exhibited mental health problems before
* may respond inappropriately to the needs and concerns of others
* displays a certitude about themselves, their circumstances and their actions
* may suffer a persecution complex
* suicidal thoughts are the result of despair, dejection and hopelessness
* exhibits despair
* often doesn't look forward to each new day
* is often ready to give in or admit defeat

Psychiatric injury
* the cause is easily identifiable and verifiable, but denied by those who are accountable
* the person is often articulate but prevented from articulation by being traumatised
* the person is obsessive, especially in relation to identifying the cause of their injury and both dealing with the cause and effecting their recovery
* the person is in a state of acute self-awareness and aware of their state, but often unable to explain it
* the depression is reactive; the chemistry is different to endogenous depression
* there is very often no history of depression in the individual or their family
* often there is no history of mental health problems
* responds empathically to the needs and concerns of others, despite their own injury
* is often highly sceptical about their condition and circumstances and is in a state of disbelief and bewilderment which they will easily and often articulate ("I can't believe this is happening to me" and "Why me?" - click here for the answer)
* may experience an unusually heightened sense of vulnerability to possible victimisation (ie hypervigilance)
* suicidal thoughts are often a logical and carefully thought-out solution or conclusion
* is driven by the anger of injustice
* looks forward to each new day as an opportunity to fight for justice
* refuses to be beaten, refuses to give up