Hmmm... then what do we do with me?? I have PTSD, Major Depression (recurrent, severe w/o psychotic features), and Dysthymia.

From the "Mental Illness" List, I have:
* the cause is easily identifiable and verifiable, but denied by those who are accountable (YES & NO there)
* 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
* 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

From the "Psychiatric Injury" List:
* 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 (yes and no)
* 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
* refuses to be beaten, refuses to give up

You might think some of those things are in conflict, but welcome to my life.

I have a family history of a lot of "mental illness" and a lot of "psychiatric injury".

I think that the distinction made between the two here is very black and white, and, imho, pointless & needless. Why the need to categorize and stigmatize further people who are in pain?