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

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

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

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

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

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