Is Mental Illness (M.I.) temporary?

I was exchanging some thoughts several months ago via FB Messenger with a board member from NAMI of Hancock County, and have further thoughts I might share.

I know that a lot of people struggle daily with mental, emotional, physical & spiritual (MEPS) distresses. Some of those in greater degree than others. People react to the pain or stress with nicotine, drugs, sex, entertainment, gambling, porn, alcohol, unnecessary hours at work, even music. And sometimes other people see those behaviors as very bad things. The struggle is a very real experience. 

But the external behaviors are not the problem. The internal mental struggle is the first problem. That's why mental is listed first in the line. The other three follow the first in this list Mental-emotional-physical-spiritual. (But it's difficult to put any one higher than the others. I see all four MEPS as a package. Each one effects the other three.) 

The addictive behaviors are often just reactions to the pain and, I would submit, can easily turn into an illness. I further propose that MEPS distresses can cause temporary illness, especially temporary mental illness just like a temporary physical illness. Much like I can get a common cold from being exhausted physically, ran down, lowered immune system, etc, that is just temporary, maybe 10 days long.  A more serious mental illness may last longer, some even permanent. But as some symptoms of MEPS distresses are improved, the others can as well. So no matter what problem's or MEPS distresses one is suffering through it's important to remain being strengthened mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. We all can be mentally ill sometimes, but please keep faith that help and strength is on the way! 

What are your thoughts?