“Mental illness is like any other medical illness”: a critical examination of the statement and its impact on patient care and society

• Published in: Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience 2015-05, Vol.40 (3), p.147-150
• Main Authors: Malla, Ashok, MBBS, MRCPsych, Joober, Ridha, MD, PhD, Garcia, Amparo, MA, MPPPA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attitude to Health; Humans; Management; Medical Education; Mental Disorders - physiopathology; Mental Disorders - therapy; Mental health; Mentally Ill Persons - psychology; Models, Neurological; Models, Psychological; Patient care; Psychiatry; Scholarly publishing; Self Concept; Services
• ISSN: 1180-4882; 1488-2434
• DOI: 10.1503/jpn.150099

The nature of mental illness has been the subject of passionate discussion throughout history. The almost exclusively biogenetic conceptual framework for understanding mental illness has acquired a hegemony that has influenced mental health practitioners while also influencing campaigns designed to improve public attitudes toward the mentally ill. As a result, the statement "mental illness is like any other illness" has become almost axiomatic and, therefore, by definition it embodies an accepted truth not in need of a proof. This view of mental illness is presented for better acceptance of the mentally ill by the public and of treatment by those experiencing mental illness and is indeed based on accumulated, albeit limited, knowledge in the neurobiology of mental disorders. In this editorial the authors examine the reasons underlying this perspective, its consequences and the evidence to support or refute its continued justification. They then present a position that they believe best fits the current state of knowledge and is closest to clinical realities and public perceptions of mental illnesses.