Although society has come a long way in accepting mental illnesses as a health issue, in many cases, there is still a stigma attached. It doesn't matter whether the person suffering is a relative or stranger. For some reason, many people have more tolerance for a physical illness than they do a mental illness. It has been concluded that this is because people think a mental illness is somehow a choice. They believe that the person suffering from mental illness can control the way they think and their behavior.
The truth is that many mental illnesses are physical, as their causes are chemical imbalances or some other irregularity based in the physical body. If a person had control over their thoughts, they would have control over their actions. The distortions that take place in the mind make it impossible for them to think rationally.
We all have days that we are irritable or moody. These feelings are multiplied in the mind of the mental illness sufferer and affect how they process what is going on around them. Confused thinking, withdrawal from society and severe anxiety are symptoms that mental health officials look for when diagnosing.
Why would anyone choose to be disoriented, afraid to go out of their home, or binge and purge after eating? Who would want to be sad and melancholy day after day? Relatives and friends could make a major contribution to someone's struggle with mental illness by understanding they have limited or no control over these actions and thoughts.
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