Quote:A better question might be why mental illness, instead of just a different mental state? There seems to be a mindset here that if it defies one's sense of reason, there must be something wrong.

 

Unfortunately mental health is not an exact science.  There is no clearly defined line between mental illness and an unusual, or even highly unusual, mental state.  As you mentioned earlier, tolerance/acceptance levels vary drastically throughout differing cultures and societies.  Even within the social expectations of a given culture, how do you identify the transition from unusual to bizarre and when does bizarre become too bizarre? 

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