Saturday, May 26, 2018

Mental Illness Does Not Literally Exist

If there is no such thing as mental illness, then there is no such thing as mental health either.

The mind is abstract so it cannot be literally sick nor literally well. It only can in a metaphorical sense. Don't literalize metaphors, because that will have unintended consequences.

As a being with emotions, you can experience distressing emotions and feelings. You can experience emotional well being. You can have bad habits that are emotionally distressing. You can experience misery and personal tragedy. You can engage in behaviors that are helpful or harmful to your self.

Is medicalizing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors authentically helpful to anyone? Ultimately, probably not in most all circumstances.