mental illness

American  

noun

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

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mental illness British  

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

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mental illness Scientific  

/ mĕn′tl /

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

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Etymology

Origin of mental illness

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Van Rootselaar posted that she hoped to find the right amount that would allow her to “experience something positive in my life,” adding that electroconvulsive therapy and prescribed medications hadn’t resolved her mental illness.

From The Wall Street Journal

But just as there’s a difference between depicting chaos and depicting chaotically, there’s a difference between presenting theatergoers with a realistic image of mental illness and driving an audience nuts.

From Los Angeles Times

And with rising rates of depression and mental illness, plus increasing social tensions, therapists and researchers believe that the problem is becoming even more widespread.

From The Wall Street Journal

The degenerative brain disease is linked to repeated blows to the head and causes an increased risk of mental illness.

From BBC

That officer then asked Moran if she had a mental illness or was taking medication.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• insanity
• mental disorder