Doc_B's definitions

Clinical depression

Also referred to as major depressive disorder, major depression, unipolar disorder or simply depression, this illness is a psychiatric condition marked by severe feelings of despondency and dejection, typically accompanied by changes in eating and sleeping habits, anhedonia (loss of interest), fatigue, somatic pain and, at the extreme, suicide ideation. Also occurs in bipolar disorder (depressed phase).

Clinical depression is a serious mental illness and quite different to the ordinary sadness we all experience from time to time.

by Doc_B April 14, 2015

Psychosis

A form of severe mental disturbance marked by loss of contact with reality, as manifest by the presence of delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations (e.g., hearing voices which do not exist). Usually associated with serious psychiatric illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Many people suffering from psychosis lack insight into their condition.

by Doc_B May 1, 2015

Insane

The state of suffering a severe mental disorder, typically in which the afflicted individual can no longer differentiate between reality and fantasy (psychosis).

His later years were spent in an insane asylum.

by Doc_B April 16, 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

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

Asperger's Syndrome

A relatively mild variant of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), marked by a watered-down version of autistic symptoms (e.g., poor social skills and communication) but perfectly intact language and intellectual abilities, which may range from average to unmeasurable genius. It is often associated with high IQ as their need for logic and often above-average mathematical and scientific skills make them STEM graduates.

Albert Einstein is hypothesised to have had Asperger's Syndrome.

by Doc_B April 14, 2015

panic disorder

A mental health condition characterised by recurring panic attacks and subsequent dread and avoidant behaviour in relation to the episodes.

Panic disorder can lead to agorophobia - a disorder which in its severest form renders the individual housebound.

by Doc_B April 14, 2015