Is mental illness definable?

An excellent argument is brewing over what is known and what is unknown about mental illness. And what makes this all the more newsworthy is that the experts, those who in he past had all the answers, are now admitting not all of it is so, despite their sincerity in making the past conclusions. To find out more about the muddled statement above, check out what "Inside the Battle to Define Mental Illness" is all about. The author is Gary Greenberg and the article can be read in Wired.

Admitting that there is much that is not known about mental illness, and that for the most part, it remains as illusive as before, is an important first step in dealing with it. The condition is surrounded by denial and denial is negative and what else is mental illness but denial? And alongside that are blanks that each and every person must fill in for themselves. And how can a person with many of the tools necessary for filling in these blanks, not available to them, make any headway in understanding their illness?

Mental illness is a sea of broken strings, unanswered questions and a puzzle yet to be worked. First, however, much of the fallacy and errors, wrong interpretations, and yes, denials, must be stripped away before any progress can be made. How then shall we see this devastating disorder? A ship on an aimless course bogged down with barnicles that need be cleared.