Are they real diseases, as doctors and those afflicted believe, or are they simply life style decisions? Please answer yes or no; no "yes and no" answers please. Thank you.
2006-06-29 09:51:49 · 36 answers · asked by Anita S 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Some mental illnesses are real.
Alcoholism is classed as one, but a case could be made that it is a symptom, rather than a disease. In most cases, teh same about obesity, although there are diseases which can lead to it.
Possibly the same with homosexuality, although some consider it a choice.
One man's opinion. I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV...
2006-06-29 09:57:40 · answer #1 · answered by aboukir200 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
This isn't a "yes" or "no" questions/topic. I don't believe they are a "disease" in the same respect that you would think you could catch a cold type of thing. Some obesity IS caused by a medical issue, some is just caused by overeating and laziness.
Alcoholism is an addiction, which I believe is both physical and mental but not a disease.
Mental Illness is obviously medical. Some research does point in the direction of parasites possibly causing scyzophrinia (sp?)....
Mental Illness is a broad topic.
Homosexuality... Definately not a disease. Some is definately medical...such as hormonal and chromosonal..., etc... Much is by lifestyle choice too.
I woudn't call any of these a disease really... it's not like "chicken pox"........
That's my opinion.
2006-06-29 10:00:57 · answer #2 · answered by ~Me~ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
honestly NO, but because doctors (people whom we automatically have respect for, and believe) prescribe us and conclude diseases we act more and more like the symptoms. It's more of a physcologoical thing. I've known many of "alcholics" that because they acknowledge the "disease" and are determined that they cannot beat it because it is a "disease"...have not gotten over an inbalance that can simply be overcome if they tried!
Obesity is caused by the graduality of other chemical inbalances, i.e. "Depression"
Homosexuality is NOT, and I repeat NOT a disease, it's a hormonal inbalance.
They're all inbalances that might be overcome with will power and positive attitudes, or at least trying to get over them.
Like drug abusers, the only way to get over a problem is to admitt that you have it and getting over it...admitting does not mean, proclaiming and using the disease as a cover-up or as a crutch to help you. It might be a long process, and the long journey has turned many away from the healing process only to call their "disorder" a "disease"
2006-06-29 10:03:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Almost clever. Group a bunch of completely unrelated issues into one pile than force people to decide yes or no on all of them.
Reality, of course, is that you're a little piece of bigoted swine. Various mental illnesses are regarded by the APA (the absolute medical STANDARD used by all reputable doctors) as diseases. Homosexuality and Obesity are not among that listed.
2006-06-29 09:58:52 · answer #4 · answered by Miss Red 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mental Illness, Obesity ARE real diseases
Alcoholism and Homosexuality aren't really diseases. They are addictions/life styles people chose.
2006-06-29 09:58:37 · answer #5 · answered by jennifersuem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither homosexuality nor obesity are diseases.
Obesity can be a symptom of a disease or merely a choice.
Homosexuality is not a choice. Anyone who (is straight and) thinks that being gay is a choice must admit that they are bisexual and that they just choose not to act of the gay side of the fence. I am straight and could not become sexually aroused by a man. I am therefore certain that I could not choose to be gay and that that is the way I was made. If you were made such that you could choose differently, then you have an internal issue. It is not a disease either, it is just a form of human sexuality.
2006-06-29 10:00:15 · answer #6 · answered by jimvalentinojr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe that any of them are diseases. Mental Illness is real, though not as wide spread as drug companies would like us to think. But is is not a disease, more like a condition. Alcoholism, obesity and homosexuality are choices. Not choices that are easy to make, but choices.
2006-06-29 10:09:07 · answer #7 · answered by hondapcgirl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All were reclassified as "diseases" so they could legally qualify for federal funding as far as treatment and research for medicines,but I think all four are different. Mental illness and obesity are afflictions that can be inherited genetically,while on the other hand a person can also aquire that state by their own type of lifestyles(drugs,accidents etc.), As for homosexuality, it is a genetic trait, but again we are capable of making our own choices. As for alcoholism,being a reformed one myself, I hear it can be genetic(my father was one), but nobody twisted my arm to start and I didn't start because of some craving,but because it was the thing to do and most of all...I liked it!!!!
2006-06-29 10:01:58 · answer #8 · answered by javabug61 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
homosexuality is not a disease, nor is it a "life style decision".
Drinking is a life style decision, not being able to control one's drinking is not. Obesity is a disease, and not all obesity is caused by inactivity and/or overindulgence.
Of course mental illness is a disease.
And you are free to dicate the form of your answers just as those who answer are free to ignore your attempts to dictate to us.
2006-06-29 09:58:10 · answer #9 · answered by answer faerie, V.T., A. M. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only one I believe to not be a disease is homosexuality. Diseases are things that can be controlled by either medication or willpower. Homosexuals cannot control who they fall in love with and if they're sexual desire is for a man or a woman.
2006-06-29 09:56:00 · answer #10 · answered by Jessica G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋