What IS Normal?

I pulled out my old dictionary (yes, the paper one, and not one online... they make these things called "books" that are awesome) and normal has quite a long definition. [by the way, I must have had this dictionary a long time, as the last copyright on it is 1972] Anyway, the #1 definition is "conforming with or constituting  an accepted standard, model, or pattern; esp. corresponding to the median or average of a large group in type, appearance, achievement, function, development, etc.; natural; usual; standard; regular. In this edition, the 5th definition reads: "Med., Psychol. a) free from disease, disorder, or malformation; specif., average in intelligence or development b) mentally sound."

Well, there you go. If you are mentally sound., i.e., don't have a mental illness or disorder, then you are normal.

But, bear with me here, what if the large group that you are part of, i.e., the population of the United States say, has more people that are affected by mental illness than not? Is that even possible?

Let's look at some statistics. Well, I'm going to confess to laziness here, and link you on over to the blog Weighing the Facts, specifically her post on mental health statistics and resources. Here is her first statistic though:

"It is estimated that approximately 1 out of 4 U.S. adults (26%), 18 years of age and older, suffer from a mental disorder. That's 57.7 million people, according to the 2004 census."

And another one that affects even more people: "1 in 5 families are affected by mental illness."

Another study says that over 10% of the U.S. adult population is on anti-depressants.

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So, I started writing this a couple of days ago, and I could probably go on and on with statistics of how many individuals and families are affected by mental illness and addictions, but my point is this: it's not that uncommon. But mental illness still carries with it such shame that it is often hidden, and often goes untreated as well, swept under the rug, or stuffed into the closet. It seems like the only time you really hear anyone talking about mental illness is at parties when you might joke about crazy Uncle Jim, or quirky Aunt Yvonne.

Have you ever played "my family is crazier than yours" at a cocktail party?

P.S. Full artistic disclaimer. I didn't draw the skeleton, it's clip art. I'm best at doodling.