On Tue, 14 Oct 2003, Alex R. wrote:
From: "sannse" sannse@delphiforums.com
Stevertigo wrote (in part)
Not to mention-- a "mentally ill" "diagnosis" should not be taken pejoratively -- it may in fact be a very NPOV term to use for people whose behaviour is extremely irrational. Compare this to calling "jerks" for example. Theres a difference.
A very good point. I think such a "diagnosis" /is/ often taken pejoratively, but you are very right that it shouldn't be. And as Jimbo said (paraphrasing) some speculation about causes and motives can be
useful.
I guess I need to look at my own attitudes to mental illness here.
This organization is a good place to start understanding what "mental health service consumers" or just "mental health consumers" (the terms used by most individuals who are or should be under some kind of treatment) have to deal with on a daily basis: http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=Living_With
Uh, what is wrong with the term ``patient"?
If I see a doctor or LPN about a broken arm or hayfever, I am considered a patient. If I see a therapist or psychiatrist about depression, schizophrenia, or Attention Deficit Disorder, I should also be considered a patient.
We are talking about illness, yes?
Geoff