mental illness

noun

1. any of the various forms of psychosis or severe neurosis.

mental illness

noun

1. any of various disorders in which a person's thoughts, emotions, or behaviour are so abnormal as to cause suffering to himself, herself, or other people

mental illness

1. Any of various psychiatric disorders or diseases, usually characterized by impairment of thought, mood, or behavior.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mental illness¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Related Words

• insanity 
• mental disorder