Mental Health and Disorders: English Vocabulary List

an excessive and unhealthy obsession with a singular subject or idea to an extent that it becomes overwhelming and harmful

"His monomania was clear."

"His extreme monomania about cleanliness made daily life difficult for his family members every day."

a medical condition in which one is depressed in fall and winter, particularly due to lack of sunlight

"She has seasonal affective disorder."

"Seasonal affective disorder affects many people who live in countries with long, dark winters and very little sunlight."

a mental health condition causing sadness, anxiety, or low mood after a woman gives birth

"Postpartum depression affected her."

"Postpartum depression affected her mood severely after giving birth to her first child last year."

an emotional disorder in which there is a strange fear of being fat and an obsessive desire to lose weight which results in refusing to eat

"She suffers from anorexia."

"Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and distorted body image."

emotionally unstable and unable to cope with the requirements of a healthy social life

"The child is maladjusted."

"The child is maladjusted and has difficulty making friends and following rules at school."

a psychological disorder that causes a person to spend a lot of time thinking obsessively about the imaginary imperfections in their appearance

"BDD focuses on imaginary flaws."

"Body dysmorphic disorder causes a person to obsessively focus on imaginary imperfections in their appearance."

a psychological condition or personality trait characterized by an inflated sense of power, importance, or self-worth

"The dictator's megalomania led to disastrous decisions."

"His dangerous megalomania made him believe he could control everything and everyone around him."

a method of treating certain mental illnesses by effecting physiological shock or by electroconvulsive therapy

"Electric shock therapy recommended."

"The doctor recommended electric shock therapy as a last resort for the severe depression case."

a severe mental condition in which the patient loses contact with external reality

"Psychosis means losing touch with reality."

"Psychosis is a severe mental condition where an individual loses contact with external reality and experiences distorted perceptions."

a severe mental condition in which the patient suffers from depression often without any apparent reason

"Deep melancholia suffered."

"She suffered from deep melancholia after losing her beloved husband suddenly last year."

an unrealistic feeling of general inadequacy that causes one to believe they are not as competent, smart, or attractive as other people

"Strong inferiority complex."

"He has a strong inferiority complex that affects his confidence in social situations every day."

a mental condition usually associated with schizophrenia in which the patient does not move for long time spans

"Severe catatonia showed."

"The patient showed severe catatonia and remained motionless for many hours during the episode."

a mental condition in which one is obsessed with setting things on fire

"Dangerous pyromania led."

"His dangerous pyromania led him to start fires repeatedly without any logical reason."

a mental condition in which one is obsessed with stealing things without any financial motive

"Kleptomania causes an urge to steal."

"Kleptomania is a mental health disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to steal items that are not needed for personal use or monetary value."

a mental condition in which a person is constantly anxious and worried about their health

"He suffers from hypochondria."

"Hypochondria makes people constantly worry that minor symptoms mean they have a serious disease."

a mental condition that is not caused by organic disease in which one is constantly anxious, worried, and stressed

"Neurosis causes constant anxiety."

"Neurosis is a mental condition characterized by constant anxiety, worry, and stress, but without a loss of contact with reality."

an eating disorder characterized by refraining from eating food that is considered unhealthy at all cost

"Orthorexia nervosa disorder."

"Orthorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where people become obsessed with healthy eating habits."

the act of harming oneself by making wounds as a sign of mental illness

"Self-mutilation needs professional help."

"The therapist explained that self-mutilation is often a coping mechanism for people dealing with severe emotional pain."

(of a physical illness) caused or aggravated by mental factors, such as stress and anxiety

"Her pain is psychosomatic."

"Her pain is psychosomatic which means it is caused by stress rather than a physical injury or illness."

relating to or suffering from bipolar disorder

"He is manic-depressive."

"He is manic depressive and experiences extreme mood swings from very high to very low."

a mental condition in which a person constantly thinks others are trying to hurt them

"Persecution complex suffers."

"He suffers from persecution complex and believes everyone is plotting against him constantly."

a method of therapy used for mental conditions which consists of the patient opening up about their past and feelings in order to find the reason for their illness

"Freudian psychoanalysis explores."

"Freudian psychoanalysis explores unconscious thoughts and childhood experiences to understand behavior."

the study of mental conditions and their treatment

"Psychiatry helps patients."

"Psychiatry is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating mental disorders using therapy and medication."

a condition, experienced mostly by children, making them seem restless, unable to keep focus, and act impulsively

"ADHD causes restlessness and impulsivity."

"Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder causes restlessness, inability to focus, and impulsive actions."

the treatment of mental conditions using psychology instead of drugs

"Effective psychotherapy helped."

"Effective psychotherapy helped her overcome anxiety and depression after many months of regular sessions."

having anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder characterized by extreme restriction of food intake

"She looks anorexic."

"The anorexic teenager refused to eat because she saw herself as fat even though she was dangerously underweight and very sick."

a condition in which a person becomes so anxious or depressed that they can no longer handle their everyday life

"She had a breakdown."

"After months of overwhelming stress and anxiety, the executive suffered a complete mental breakdown."

someone who suffers from psychosis

"The psychotic experienced delusions."

"The psychotic person struggled with hallucinations and disorganized thoughts."