But where do you draw the line of what can be diagnosed as a disease and what shouldn't be?

Mental diseases especially, there can be such a thin line. I have obsessive compulsive tendencies and adhd tendencies, but that doesn't make me obsessive compulsive or adhd. I admit to not having a very strong understanding of autism, but I would think it would be the same. Just because someone has a few symptoms or tendencies of autism, doesn't make them autistic, does it? Anymore than sneezing means you have a cold.

@Cami
The line isn't as thin as you think, though. It's an assumption made by many. Diagnosis for mental illnesses and psychiatric disabilities is based on a person's overall affect, behavior and cognition. Do the tendencies interfere with that person's ability to function within society?

The key things that are most (but not exclusively) looked at for an actual diagnosis... well, can that person get and keep a job? Can they live alone, unassisted with hygiene, bill-paying and cooking? Can they form relationships with others, intimate or otherwise? Do their symptoms inhibit their ability to stay integrated into society?

Bear in mind it's a little different for severe and persistent mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These are the psychiatric disabilities, which are different from mental illnesses. I could be clinically depressed, and technically that clinical diagnosis makes it a mental illness.

So no. Tendencies do not mean illness. I wish diagnoses were treated a little more carefully than they are. But, for some, they can have a mental illness for only a short time and then spend the rest of their lives healthy. There are just so many contributing factors, and I could probably go on and on and on... :(

And then there can be people who are truly SUFFERING but they don't fully qualify for a diagnosis because they don't have enough inhibitions from their symptoms. Without that diagnosis, it is rare for their insurance company to pay for treatment of any kind, even if it's just counseling.

@kitkat & Cami together
ADHD I don't know all that much about, save for that it is hard for the individual to keep attention for long periods of time. They can become disruptive and restless. Thoughts race and it can be overwhelming for the individual to even sit and do something for ten minutes alone. The lack of focus is frustrating for a lot.

Autism is a completely different can of worms. There is severe autism. There is moderate autism. There is mild autism. Autism can affect such a wide range of human functioning. Some individuals can make it through college without any problems whatsoever save for a little difficulty in social situations. Others can't speak, therefore they rely upon their body language alone for communication. Some appear mentally retarded when they aren't (and to get people to realize this is like screaming at a wall).

I suppose a good thing to understand about autism is that the individual doesn't usually interpret emotions the same as a person without autism can. Paranoia can run high in some, and often times loud noises set them off kilter. What is normal for someone can be completely terrifying for an individual with autism, more so if they can't verbally communicate their needs.

All in all, people are diagnosed for a lot of things WAY too often. I think some people jump the gun. Often times if someone has a problem there is a multitude of causes for it.

/rant :XD

Sorry about that guys. >>;; I didn't even say half of what I wanted to.

EDIT: Oh. ADHD isn't a mental illness. I forgot to say that. It is a behavioral disorder.

That's kind of what I'm saying though, Chi. If a mental/behavioral illness must be something that significantly affects your life to be diagnosed, then if someone is able to live with no problems, then wouldn't that mean they don't have it? That they just have personality traits that are similar, but that they don't actually have the disease?

...I'm just failing at talking. XD

Chi = awesome @ course work. :3

I LIVE! D: Finals are finally over. -cue Hallelujah Chorus-

Hi people. :3~

*tackles Anthy inappropriately to break the tension*

@kitkat
Nope... that doesn't sound like autism to me, but I'm not a doctor. :3
I'd say she's just less able to do math than others. I wouldn't worry. Math came easily to me but terribly to my best friend in grade school, but she could do other subjects better than I could. I think it just depends on the individual.

Forgetfulness can be anything. But that's definitely not an aspect to worry about. I have difficulty with my memory if I eat badly for a long stretch of time, for instance.

@Cami
Truthfully? I think it depends on the person. I can't give you a clear-cut answer. A lot of people live while suffering from symptoms that are probably more debilitating than they realize. But some may not. Some are fearful of social stigma and won't consider treatment for that and another barrage of reasons (and those reasons often depend on the illness in question).

If you're asking if I feel someone can have symptoms without a full diagnosis, then yes, I do believe this to be the case. I think someone with symptoms of depression can go without a diagnosis of depression. But there are some things (and this is my own personal opinion based on my experiences and what I'm learning; I am not claiming this for fact) that shouldn't be viewed on a similar level like that.

Am I making sense? It's kinda late here. :XD

@Anthy
Hi. <3 I have two left. Lucky butt.

@Kin
HI EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE ACROSS THE ROOM FROM ME ON ANOTHER LAPTOP.

@Kin
-is inappropriated- ... -or something like that-

@Chi
I don't think I'd make having two more finals. My brain is friiiiiiied.

Better than being misappropriated, I guess. :(

No worries Sakura. :3

--

I AM DONE WITH FINALS. I am now able to just fall into a state of "not being" for a day or two to recharge myself. I'm so relieved. ;_;

I am highly unqualified. :XD :heart:

Good job on that last final. <3 I dunno how I did on the one I took today.

Still taking offers on stuff. :)

Chi - 2k for the New Years Pin?

/flops down/ I'm thinking about trading in some of my less worthy CIs for more worthy CIs. It feels odd giving away 20 items to get 1 though.

@Anglie
No thanks. :)

@Cami
Like kitkat said, it depends on what you're looking to get. I'd say sell some of the ones that aren't really rising in price for those that are. :3

*skates through thread throwing snowballs*

SNOWBALLS?! WHYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!

Mm. I wish I could make snowballs. That sounds really tasty right now. o.o

Yep. I was thinking of those little cakes. The chocolate cake with the white cream inside, which is wrapped with marshmallow and then topped with coconut flakes. :XD

I could probably make a snowfort outside. :ninja:

Hi Chi,

Would you accept 3.5k for the NY hairpin??

Hi Nivvy! I'll keep that offer in mind. :yes: