In a recent interview, in which former President George W. Bush discussed his work with military veterans, he once again stated his opposition to the use of the term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He insists that the term be abbreviated to Post-Traumatic Stress. His reason: "It is not a disorder; it is an injury." Whatever his motivation, his apparent aim is to remove the condition and the discussion from the realm of mental health and thereby eliminate the negative connotation so often associated with mental illness. In my judgment, he is de-legitimizing all other mental illnesses in the hopes that his re-definition can foster expanded awareness, greater acceptance, and improved treatment of the one.

In my view, PTSD is not an injury, but the result of an injury. The element of disorder comes into play when the extent of the injury results in an impairment, which meets or exceeds established criteria. Furthermore, the distinction between physical illness and mental illness is very arbitrary. One only has to eavesdrop on a discussion between a neurologist and a psychiatrist to come to the conclusion that this distinction is counter-productive in terms of diagnosis and treatment, let alone public awareness and acceptance.

We will all be better served, if those, who have access to a bully pulpit, would consider the bigger picture. In this instance, that means supporting an awareness of mental illness and treatment with a legitimacy shared with all other illnesses and medical conditions resulting from biological agents, genetic factors, injuries of any kind, environmental teratogens, and/or aging. All of these conditions impact on the biological function, cognition, psychic capacity, and physical performance of the individual sufferer.

Let us all refuse to accept health care under the terms of a zero-sum game.