Doc_B's definitions

Neurosis

A mild form of mental illness, in which subjective experiences of emotional distress are common but contact with reality has not been lost. Examples include anxiety disorders, depression and eating disorders. It is also called psychoneurosis.

Neurosis can in many ways be distinguished from the more severe psychotic mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and manic depression (bipolar).

by Doc_B April 14, 2015

Anxiety disorder

A type of mental illness in which anxiety is the main feature. Examples include panic disorder, specific phobias, agorophobia, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder.

He has an anxiety disorder.

by Doc_B April 14, 2015

Mood disorder

A mood or affective disorder is a major type of mental illness in which emotions are significantly disturbed. Examples include clinical depression and the more severe bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a severe mood disorder that in its most extreme form has much more in common with schizophrenia than depression.

by Doc_B April 14, 2015

Dissociative identity disorder

Formerly known as "multiple personality disorder" and/or "split personality", DID is a severe mental illness in which the person has two or more distinct personalities, which form entirely different memories and characteristics. Commonly confused with schizophrenia.

Dissociative identity disorder is extremely difficult to treat.

by Doc_B April 14, 2015

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Also known as OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder is a neurotic mental illness in which intrusive, negative thoughts and/or impulses which regularly enter the person's mind (obsessions) are counteracted by repetitive acts or rituals performed to alleviate the anxiety and general distress created by these obsessions. It is possible to qualify for a diagnosis of OCD if only obsessions or compulsions are present, although the vast majority have both.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is much more than being quirky or a bit of a neat freak.

by Doc_B April 14, 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

Delusion

A false belief which cannot be explained by cultural norms and that the patient often holds strongly. There are many forms, two of which are grandiose (e.g., the belief that one is God) and persecutory (e.g., thinking that aliens are trying to kill him or her). Delusions are a form of psychosis which often occur in the course of a severe mental disorder, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

The belief that aliens reside in one's nose is a delusion.

by Doc_B April 16, 2015