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I think I bristle at the word in the context of disease - mental or otherwise. MBC's answer ("I'd call it an illness") was exactly what I said out loud before I scrolled down and saw it.
Sure - if you want to reduce things to objectivity, an illness can make things harder for someone. So if you want to call that "weak," that's probably apt, in a way.
But I would argue that you can't separate implications from some words - and in this case, even if it's not intended, the word sounds cold, and harsh, and lacking in compassion. And I believe that it's the opposite of the kind of thing someone who, say, is battling depression, needs to hear. Would you say "I'm so glad you're getting treatment for your weakness" or "I'm so glad you're getting treatment for your illness"?
Also, while in Cindy's strictest terms, the patient might be "weak" compared to someone who is not ill... the most strength I've ever seen in people has been in those who were fighting one illness or another. Even in those strict terms, I would never, ever, ever call my mother "weak" after twelve years of fighting. Because I've often said I can't imagine lasting a fraction of that time with her "weakness" - and her strength.
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