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.
Regards
sannse