The Mentally Ill Are Just as Responsible For Their Behavior as Anyone Else
livingwithinreason.com
Recently, Greta Christina has asked whether the mentally ill are responsible for their behavior. On the one hand: We cut sick people slack. We don't hold them as responsible for their behavior as we do healthy people. We understand that sick people can't always keep promises; can't always do their share; get irritable; lose their temper. We understand that it's the illness causing this behavior. We get angry at the illness, not at the people. And mental illnesses — including alcoholism and other drug addictions — are illnesses.
The Mentally Ill Are Just as Responsible For Their Behavior as Anyone Else
The Mentally Ill Are Just as Responsible For…
The Mentally Ill Are Just as Responsible For Their Behavior as Anyone Else
Recently, Greta Christina has asked whether the mentally ill are responsible for their behavior. On the one hand: We cut sick people slack. We don't hold them as responsible for their behavior as we do healthy people. We understand that sick people can't always keep promises; can't always do their share; get irritable; lose their temper. We understand that it's the illness causing this behavior. We get angry at the illness, not at the people. And mental illnesses — including alcoholism and other drug addictions — are illnesses.