Why do some people think being called “mentally ill” is an insult?

[Anonymous]

[Stevepro68]

Socially mental illness is treated as personal flaw. It's wrong. But that is where we are right now. People don't recognize their own mental issues and it's a common problem in treating mental illness. Physical ailments are seen as out of our control... which they are not always... and mental illness is seen as something people can just control. A personal flaw. Wrong both ways. People don't like to be told that they are a bad person. If you treat an ill person badly that is a social negative. Treating mental illness as a personal flaw is acting badly, so it makes people post hoc come up with mental reasons why they aren't bad and so on. Eventually ending in anger. It's a common problem overall for humans

[MisterWack]

Because it is?
Like if you tell someone, “Hey! WTF? You mentally ill or something?” I’m sure that was in a negative way.

If a professional diagnoses you with a learning disability like ‘Autism’ or something then it would be acceptable to say, “you have Autism” in a respectful calm tone or “you have ADHD” or “You have a learning disability” then lead on from there.
No professional calls you, “Mentally ill”.

Maybe if an individual is excused from a court of law or something they’d say, “he is mentally challenged to endure trial” or something.

[alice55]

Becuase sincerely who want to be mentally ill instead of sane? I have nothing against them but truly one must be crazy to prefer being mentally ill than being sane... Getting locked down having trouble and having to take medicament is no good

[Dargil]

To some it is, especially those who are not mentally ill.

[noohair]

Everyone has a diagnosis, not everyone has had a medical evaluation.

[Anonymous]

Because they know that people are senseless.

[Agape93]

Because it's often used as an insult

[DrPepper12]

Cuz its rude?

[In_Trance]

How could it be perceived any other way

[EmmiL]

It hits them in their weakness

[Kingofkings1992]

Because people are stupid.

[exitseven]

they are nuts.