The big idea: should we drop the distinction between mental and physical health?

It is nice to see this discussion that there should be no distinction between physical and mental health – that mental health is physical health – in The Guardian and not just in the halls of our PANS/PANDAS/Tick-Borne/Neuroimmune hallways.   This should be a no-brainer, not just because our community lives and breathes it, not just because COVID has pushed the envelope a little bit on this discussion. Yet, those who study and advocate for more cohesion between these two worlds are often maligned and dismissed. We continue to be dragged down by this draconian thinking and blind allegiance to the DSMV and the idea that mental health is not a product of physical health. I know I am speaking to the choir when I say, when mental health is considered part and parcel of physical health and there is no one-size-fits-all treatment, we will have improved mental health outcomes.