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@article{185798,
        author = {Deeksha Pandey and Ahongsangbam sanathoi chanu and Shambhuvi and Vinod bhatt},
        title = {Mental Illness: Beyond the Simplistic Analogy of Medical Illness},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {5},
        pages = {4213-4216},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=185798},
        abstract = {The statement "mental illness is like any other illness" has gained traction in efforts to reduce stigma and promote acceptance of mental disorders. This article critically evaluates the implications, evidence, and consequences of this analogy in light of current knowledge. While the assertion emphasizes the biological basis of mental illness, it oversimplifies the complex interplay of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors underlying these conditions. A comparison with physical illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, highlights key distinctions, including the profound impact of mental disorders on identity and selfhood. 
Moreover, evidence suggests that the biogenetic model may inadvertently reinforce stigma by portraying individuals with mental illness as unpredictable or dangerous. Although it can initially reassure patients, over-reliance on this model risks neglecting the importance of psychological and social interventions. A more effective approach integrates multiple explanatory models, fostering resilience and recovery through a holistic, patient-centered framework. This article concludes that abandoning the reductive analogy in favor of a nuanced perspective will better support patients, families, and societal attitudes toward mental health.},
        keywords = {Mental illness, Biogenetic model, Stigma, Neurobiology, Recovery, Holistic framework, psychological interventions, social influences, Identity and selfhood, Resilience, Multidimensional approach, Mental health care},
        month = {November},
        }