Doc_B's definitions

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

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

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

Autism

A broad range of complex neurodevelopmental disabilities marked by such symptoms as severe deficits in social interaction and communication, restricted and strong interests and inflexibility (love of routine).

Most people think Rainman when they think autism.

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

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