[Maven]

Truer words have never been spoken: "Mental illness is a cruel disease." This is a quote from near the end of a book I browsed (but didn't buy--money's tight) in the book store, Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness. I meant to post this quote the same night I got home from the book store, but I forgot. The author, Pete Earley, says it's cruel to both the victim and his family. He's so right. (If you want to get the book and save a bit, do a search for the bargain hardback edition.) I'm not affiliated with this book, publisher or the author in any way, but I just wanted to share that quote.

[Calm]

I agree with that quote 100%. It's very cruel and very painful and very misunderstood by many as well.

[lenjan]

Forgive me for being pedantic, but that's what I do -- but mental illness is not a disease. Schizophrenia or bipolar or depression is a disease. Mental illness is a GROUP of diseases.

I lost a copyediting job once when I pointed that out in a wire story, because I think they figured (rightly) that I must be a nutjob to know that , but it bugs me!

I agree with the intent of the quote, though

Candy

[Maven]

Actually, mental illness isn't a group of DISEASES. It's a group of DISORDERS (and possibly diseases, as well). Thank you for pointing out that it isn't a single disease, though. I guess a better way of putting it is, there's no truer sentiment than that quote.