Doc_B's definitions

Psychiatric disorder

An illness of the mind or brain which causes major disruption in a person's thinking, feelings and behaviour, and which is serious enough to require medical intervention. Also known as mental illness or mental disorder.

Schizophrenia is a very severe psychiatric disorder.

by Doc_B April 16, 2015

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

Bipolar

A mental disorder marked by alternating periods of deep depression and extreme euphoria (mania). Contrary to popular belief, the violent mood swings associated with this illness are far more prolonged than ordinary emotional ups and downs, and the shifts of mood are sustained, lasting weeks, months or even years. The classic form of this condition is an extremely severe form of psychiatric disease but in more recent times milder variations more depressive-heavy and less manic have been included. It, however, remains very serious in all its forms and no group of people, mentally ill or mentally healthy, commit suicide half as much as manic-depressives do. It's a horrible disease and certainly not to be trivialised as just "mood swings".

People with bipolar kill themselves more than any other group of people. It's some serious shit.

by Doc_B May 1, 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 4, 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

Insanity

The state of suffering a severe psychiatric disease which causes extremely abnormal behaviour or loss of touch with reality (psychosis), most commonly associated with schizophrenia and bipolar illness (the manic phase).

King George suffered from bouts of insanity.

by Doc_B April 13, 2015

Special needs

A term used to refer to someone with either an intellectual disability or, in a broader context, any condition that may pose problems in an educational setting, which can include non-behavioural or learning disorders, e.g., diabetes.

A statement of special needs absolutely does not imply retardation.

by Doc_B April 14, 2015