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

Mr Reed, 50, has a history of mental illness and has been arrested 72 times since he turned 18, according to a Chicago affiliate of the BBC's partner CBS News.

From BBC

Today, psychiatrists emphasize mental illness’s biological and hereditary origin, which forms the basis for many treatments.

From The Wall Street Journal

It also allows for assisted dying if treatment offers no reasonable prospect of recovery or improvement in the patient's condition, but not to end unbearable suffering from mental illness.

From Barron's

The unit housed incarcerated people who were considered unsafe to live with the general population because of the nature of their offenses, as well as some who had diagnoses for severe mental illnesses.

From Los Angeles Times

During the event, candidates were asked how they would approach a range of issues that impact an individual’s health, including aging, nutrition and mental illness.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• insanity
• mental disorder