What it means
A broad term for conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorderby-POH-ler dis-OR-derA mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.bi- twopol/o pole-ar having to do withFull entry , schizophreniaskit-suh-FREE-nee-uhA long-term mental illness that changes a person's thinking, feelings and behavior, often with a loss of contact with reality.schizo- splitphren/o mind-ia conditionFull entry , post-traumatic stress disorderpohst-truh-MAT-ik STRES dis-OR-derA mental health condition that develops after a person lives through or sees a terrifying event.Full entry and eating disorderEE-ting dis-OR-derA mental illness involving serious problems with eating behavior and with thoughts and feelings about food, weight or body shape.Full entry . They come from a mix of genes, brain chemistry, life events and environment. Most can be treated, and many people recover or live well with them.
For the nurse
Use person-first language ("a person with schizophrenia") and avoid stigma. Ask about safety and suicide risk, and remember that clients with mental illness often have physical illnesses that are missed.
At a glance
| Spanish | enfermedad mental |
|---|---|
| Also written | mental illnesses, mental-illness |
Related terms
bipolar disorder
A mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.
schizophrenia
A long-term mental illness that changes a person's thinking, feelings and behavior, often with a loss of contact with reality.
mental health
A person's emotional, mental and social well-being, which affects how they think, feel, act and cope.
psychosis
A mental state in which a person loses contact with reality.