Self-identity and diagnosis

While some people consider mental illnesses real illnesses others
consider them types of people and experiences. So homosexuality is a
different experience of sexuality and are people who consider themselves
homosexual as a distinct type different from heterosexuals.

The same thing can apply with mental illnesses so people can make part
of their identity the 'illness' and they'd be right in doing it. It's
not always positive though. Not for me when I was first diagnosed with a
psychiatric illness - when I was first told I was mad. Now I'm
different, at least on the outside.