Oh dear. Just wandered in here for the first time. I'll try not to rant. My mentally interesting brain has decided to be awake for no reason so... whee!

The way I interpreted the original question was kind of "Are mental illnesses legitimate disabilities, like physical disabilities are, or are they just something people need to get over & shut up about?" It may not have been intended that way, but I've had very similar questions turn into that exact discussion on several occasions. So, I'm just going to answer with that in mind.

I figure a disability is anything that prevents you from taking care of the basic necessities of life, or requires you to have assistance to do so. I mean, the word pretty much defines itself. So, a mental illness could be a disability, but wouldn't necessarily have to be.

If your doctor says you have *insert mental illness* but you feel fine & are able to pay the bills & all, I'm certainly not going to insist you're disabled. (And I'll look at you funny if you tell me you are.)

On the other hand, my situation. I'm unable to work consistently enough to support myself due to Bipolar Disorder. I live on Social Security/SSI at present. That's not a situation I want to remain permanent. I don't just sit around doing nothing. I do as much as I can. I'm working with my doctor on finding better medication. But, yeah, that is a disabling condition for me at the moment. I mostly can't stand PC stuff, but there's the whole person-first language idea where someone is "a person with a disability" rather than just "disabled." I don't necessarily say it that way, because it annoys me, but that's closer to how I think of myself. It's one aspect of me, not the defining aspect.

(Here's an interesting question... There have been times medications were working well for me & I was able to work steadily, etc. Does that make me non-disabled at that time? I still have the same chronic condition which could re-occur... Even with medication that's working, sometimes it just craps out or develops side effects, etc. So, would I be not-currently-but-pote ntially-disabled? Just an odd thought that came to mind...)

I also have Asperger's Syndrome. Technically, it's a developmental/learning disability, I believe. But, I don't really consider it a disability exactly. More just a differently built brain that can occasionally cause difficulty in a world that's built for the average/typical brain. *shrug* Yeah, it probably would have helped me to have some "Special Ed." as a kid because I learn differently & so forth, but as an adult it's mostly just frequent quirkiness & occasional stuff I have to work around. But it's stuff I can work around, so it's not disabling to me.

Of course someone else with the same two conditions could feel totally the opposite. It's a very individual & not-always-logical thing. less

Agree with this. I also have Bipolar - so I'm sometimes disabled? I'm ill for sure. I've never really used the term disabled but there have been times I could have qualified for disability benefits because I couldn't work or function. If you can't function, well, that's a disability. It's a different type of disability than someone who can't walk because they always can't walk and you can see they can't walk. I can function given the right circumstances and no one can visually see anything wrong with me. I don't think that makes it less of an issue.

As for people who say "shut up and get over it," I think they can stick it where the sun don't shine. No one would choose to go through what I and many others deal with. It's not fun. It just plain blows. There are times I miss weeks of work at the threat of losing my job. There are times my son has to go to my mom's for a few weeks until my meds get right. My husband has almost left me during bad episodes. I have next to no friends because they can't tolerate my swings. Yeah, it's a blast. If I could shut up and get over it, I would have done so years ago.

So my answer is it depends. Someone who is mildly sad isn't disabled. Someone severely depressed that can't do anything likely is. It depends on the circumstances and the specific mental issue and how that person is reacting to it. Some people can function during a deep depression. less

Well put. And *sympathetic hugs*

There are so many times when people just don't get that a mental illness can be just as debilitating as a physical one. It's just a different thing. Really a disorder like Bipolar isn't a heck of a lot different than Epilepsy, it's just a chemical short-circuit instead of an electrical one. One of my meds is even an anti-convulsant. But no one is starting a thread debating the legitimacy of Epileptics.

I have a friend who's always getting ticked off because "I never want to go out." She doesn't get that when I say I'm not feeling well, it's not an excuse or whatever. I'm really not feeling well. I no more feel like hitting the bar than I would if I was puking. It's just not as easy to see, especially since I don't necessarily share the details. Sometimes it almost seems like it would be easier if I turned blue or something during a bad time, so people would get it! less

I have yet to meet an Asperger's 'patient' who isn't borderline genius and everyone I know with depression is incredibly intelligent, and sensitive.

I so hate it when terms get convoluted and it's becoming increasingly difficult for me to not start throwing dictionaries and the DSMV at people. less

Um, when did this happen? The two are completely different, in my book. Mentally disabled means you have lower learning capacity than the average person. Mentally ill encompasses so many different emotional and mood disorders, but most of the people suffering from mental illnesses are highly intelligent. less

Exactly. A person with schizophrenia may not be capable of certain cognitive processes, of holding down a job, dressing and cleaning themselves, etc. To me, this is a disability. Depression and other mental illness can also be debilitating, although they don't necessarily have to be. I think the distinction many people are making is arbitrary; if it impairs your ability to perform basic daily activities, that seems like a disability to me. less