Is bipolar "mental illness" or should it be considered "neuro-divergency".

[Bead23]

I'm 66. Bipolar. I've done a lot research. And I follow current commentaries and discussions on 'neuro divergency'. And it pleases me because when I was young 'autism' was considered a mental illness by many. ADHD and ADD was caused by too much sugar (seriously) or was just naughty kids trying to get attention. We've come a long way in opening the minds of the 'norms' to the fact that many  people are just 'wired differently':  NOT ILL - JUST DIFFERENT. So, why is bipolar still considered a mental illness? Black depression and mania will certainly make you ill. Why wouldn't they? But so can the anxiety and depression that people with autism, adhd and other neuro-divergencies suffer.  Why do we still get the stigma of "mental illness"? Is there not a case for us just being "wired differently". Why are we labelled 'crazy'?

[Macey]

Hi @Bead23 and yes illness even if is illness doesn't mean that it means you're crazy and plus also this 'stigma' thing has to stop in us.

Illness does not synonymous with crazy. It's only upto you to stop thinking it does

[Macey]

Yes @Bead23 coz illnesses happen and wellness happens but matters made worse when thinking care about what other people may be thinking or not thinking. 

Plus people working to address illness doesn't mean they think ill person is crazy just because they're ill. 

 If so then north pole and south pole means whole earth crazy! 

Might as well cry tears of laughter 😂

[Rehope]

Illness. Disability neurodivergence. Most people in the West are suffering major identity fragmentation. The stigma you describe and these frames as they are used serve as a warning to others. Homelessness unemployment, the treatment of the mentally ill and otherwise disabled are forms of social control through self surveillance. The revolutionary potential of the ideas of people with mental illness are effectively muted in this system. A symptoms of adhd is sensitivity to injustice. Human beings are not built for the levels of inequality we are inculcated into accepting.

[Rehope]

Also, I think Mad is an identy that can be used and provide self security. Rationality is over represented in positions of power but doesn't not equate to sane or humane.