Doc_B's definitions

Taciturn

Someone who isn’t particularly-socially-inclined (at all) and only talks when they have to. Restrained, reticent.

Person A: ‘I tried milking a few personal musings out of him as he was filling out his insurance form but I might as well have been talking to a log of ice. Is he just naturally quite introverted or is there something up with him?’

Person B: ‘no, he’s actually quite outgoing but he has a tendency to be quite taciturn around people who’s not that familiar with. He doesn’t do small-talk or say any more than he absolutely has to around people he doesn’t know that well but he’s not especially-introverted, nor does he dislike you, per se (I doubt it). He probably just doesn’t care to get to know you better.’

by Doc_B August 15, 2022

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 4, 2015

Misophonia

A mental illness marked by extreme aversion to certain soft sounds, such as eating noises and nose sniffling. The condition is newly-defined and rarely diagnosed.

Misophonia causes pain and anguish for the ill person, as well as those around them.

by Doc_B May 1, 2015

Schizoaffective disorder

A severe and relatively rare form of mental illness in which a significant mood disorder (depression or bipolar disorder) is interspersed with periods of chronic psychosis even when the person's mood is normal. Less than 0.5% of the population are said to have this condition.

He has schizoaffective disorder, depressive type.

by Doc_B April 14, 2015

Psychosis

A severe mental disturbance in which the individual loses touch with reality, often experiencing delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations (e.g., hearing voices that do not exist).

Mike's psychosis was triggered by smoking too much weed.

by Doc_B April 14, 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

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