Mental health

A general state of emotional and psychological well-being, as manifest by the ability to cope with and meet the demands of everyday life.

Many people suffering from mental health problems are reluctant to get the help they need.

by Doc_B April 14, 2015

Mania

A state of mental and physical overactivity characterised by pressured speech, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, extreme irritability or elation and, not infrequently, delusions and hallucinations (i.e., psychosis). It is most commonly associated with bipolar disorder, a serious mental condition in which sufferers alternate between mania and depression.

True mania is a terrifying thing to witness and rarely forgotten.

by Doc_B May 04, 2015

Tourette's Syndrome

A neurological characterised by involuntary motor and phonic tics. This severe form of tic disorder affects males at approximately thrice the rate of females and is usually chronic.

Person A: why does that guy keep swearing and shaking his head?
Person B: he has Tourette's Syndrome.

by Doc_B April 16, 2015

Misophonia

A rarely diagnosed mental condition in which negative emotional experiences (from annoyance to extreme rage) are triggered by specific sounds, which can be either loud or soft. Nose sniffling, eating and breathing noises and tapping are all examples of trigger sounds for people suffering from this illness.

Misophonia, a sound sensitivity disorder, causes untold suffering and social withdrawal.

by Doc_B April 15, 2015

Hypomanic

Relating to hypomania, a mild form of the manic phase characteristic of bipolar illness.

Hypomanic states are often associated with enhanced productivity and creativity.

by Doc_B April 16, 2015

Bipolar affective disorder

A serious mental illness marked by violent and wild oscillations between extreme euphoria or irritability (mania) and deep depression. Although it is technically classified as a mood disorder, it is one of the few psychiatric conditions in which psychosis occurs; it is usually associated with severe manic states but profound depression may also cause delusions and hallucinations to emerge. The psychotic features are usually mood-congruent, e.g., believing oneself to be Jesus Christ and Lucifer for mania and depression respectively. It's an illness of extreme opposites in mood, thinking and energy levels and a severe mental disorder that, at least in its classic form, goes infinitely beyond what mentally healthy people experience and most certainly not to be trivialised. It is also worth noting that the mood swings associated with this disease are sustained and typically last weeks or months, years in the most extreme cases. Ultra-ultra rapid cycling (extreme mood shifts in a day) is exceedingly rare.

Bipolar affective disorder is a severe mental illness that in its most acute form is potentially worse than schizophrenia.

by Doc_B May 04, 2015

ADHD

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a behavioural condition (typically of childhood, but can persist into adult life) marked by a cluster of symptoms, including: hyperactivity, distractability, inattention and fidgeting. It is diagnosed more frequently in boys than girls and most commonly treated with Ritalin.

If you ask me, ADHD is just an excuse for naughty schoolboys to not pay attention in school.

by Doc_B April 16, 2015