BND your post would back what I've described, as well.
However I disagree with labeling MLC as "mental illness". I would rather it be explained as a mental overload. A point of impact where the unresolved issues of the past crash into the issues of the day resulting in a temporary emotional, behavioral and mental crisis.
Perhaps it's splitting hairs but the term "illness" is offensive to me because I don't think mental illnesses are "cured". I think they are "managed" be it through drugs, behavioral therapy or what have you. There's a literal awakening from MLC. A point of realization & comprehension that fosters understanding and repentance and then in some, an effort to make things right. Maybe it's not like ford said, that we lacked character when our spouses married us...
Maybe we had some fundamental undeveloped strain of "good character" all along and that's what pulled us out and causes some of us to have to walk back.
Hell maybe it's the flippin walk that fosters the growth of that character.
I don't know.
I'd like to think something good came of that cluster of wasted years though...
