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The term "mental distress" is preferred in some circles, but for reasons that are more to do with factual than political correctness.
Since there is no proven biological cause for any form of mental distress (with a few exceptions such as senile dementia), the term "mental illness" denotes a theory rather than an established fact, and is seen by many as stigmatising and misleading.
On a more general point, what might be describe as "mentalism" is one of the most widespread and unrecognised forms of discrimination, and is greatly increased by the careless use of language.
Even quality newspapers frequently run headlines such as "Schizophrenic rapes three" although a headline "Black man rapes three" would rightly be condemned as racist.
Lucy Johnstone
Senior lecturer in Clinical Psychology
University of the West of England, Bristol
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This week's big questions: How best to react to Woolwich? Has Miliband got what it takes? And is Stephen King right about ebooks?
Ian Rankin -
What, let gays get married? We must be bonkers
Mark Steel -
Dogma will always lead to murder. In the end, scepticism is the only answer
A C Grayling -
The Daily Cartoon
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Stop laying into GPs. We don't deserve it
Dr Clare Gerada
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Amol Rajan
A weekly update from the Editor
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The man who's eaten everywhere
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