Mental Illness is NOT a Diagnosis
Between the recent mass shootings in America, the rapid decline in our children's mental health, and recent political chatter regarding mental health legislation- I think we all are feeling pretty overwhelmed and need to take a nice cleansing breath, and pause for a moment. Breath in deeply for 3 - 1...2...3 Hold for 3 - 1...2...3.. and Breath out for 3- 1..2..3...... Great! Now that you're regulated, let's talk. "Mental illness" is the exact same as saying "medical illness" in the sense that it encompasses EVERY ailment under the sun. They are NOT diagnoses, they simply mean the person is experiencing a set of symptoms. I created the above graphic to show in comparison that medical and mental disorders have a lot in common. Some ailments are more chronic and difficult to treat such as cancer or schizophrenia. These illnesses often require hospitalization, multiple medications and treatments, and will likely negatively impact the individual
