DOC - depends on the browser, and hey, must we be grammar nazis? really? :)
Enzo - I see what your point. Here in North America, we "count" curable illness. Clinical depression is a very real MI, and yes, it can be cured and treated. I don't understand why you would not consider it a mental illness? Perhaps this is a cultural thing.
Here in North America, we do go a bit far with the depression 'thing', imho. I have a friend whose doctor prescribed anti-depressants 3 months after his wife died. That is so wrong! We are supposed to be depressed when someone dies. On the other hand, some people struggle with depression for the very reason you list - their body does not produce seratonin (which is also causally linked to a lack of melatonin - oh, it gets complicated!). That being said, depression can result in the most drastic - suicide - but can cause many somatic illnesses. It is also noted in studies that depression *may* contribute to the growth of cancer, to auto-immune diseases, heart disease, and well, that's what I can think of at this moment.
The depression that can be caused by cognitive dissonance (CD) is widespread among the JW community. If you understand CD, then think of it this way.
You can trust No One in the world unless the are JW - not even your unbelieving parent! You never have time for yourself (ie, taking a weekend to go fishing is wrong - time is short, we must preach!) You are NEVER good enough. You are the Happiest Person on Earth! Jehovah protects his people.
Meanwhile, you are going to school and work, and observing that OTHER ,,, *worldly* .... people seem to be happy. They abhor Satan worship (sorry to any Satanists on board, don't take it personally), or so they say.
AND they do Christian acts! Your logical mind keeps saying "But mr. Smith next door is a good person!" but the religion has made you believe they are EVIL.
There is a constant battle in your head, between your belief system, and the reality that you see every day. It's enough to drive a person crazy, literally.
I do not expect or want/need you to agree, just for the sake of discussion, because hey, that's a great way to learn. :)
xx
tal