Doc_B's definitions

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

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

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

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

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

Insomnia

A common health problem characterised by difficulty in either falling or staying asleep. It can occur on its own (primary) or as a result of another medical disorder, such as depression (secondary).

Insomnia can be debilitating.

by Doc_B April 16, 2015

Schizophrenia

A severe and chronic mental disorder characterised by many serious psychological symptoms, not least psychosis (delusions, hallucinations, paranoia), fragmented thought processes, grossly disorganised speech and behaviour and social withdrawal.

He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia upon being sectioned under the mental health act.

by Doc_B April 13, 2015