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Mental illness

Synonym(s)

  • mental disease
  • mental disorder
  • mental health disorder
  • psychiatric disorder
  • psychiatric illness
  • psychological disorder

Definition(s)

Psychiatric illness or diseases manifested by breakdowns in the adaptational process expressed primarily as abnormalities of thought, feeling, and behavior producing either distress or impairment of function.

Definition from: MeSH via Unified Medical Language SystemThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference. at the National Library of Medicine

Broad class of abnormalities of thought, feeling, and behavior, resulting in distress or impairment.

Definition from: CRISP Thesaurus via Unified Medical Language SystemThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference. at the National Library of Medicine

A mental or bodily condition marked primarily by sufficient disorganization of personality, mind, and emotions to seriously impair the normal psychological functioning of the individual.

Definition from: Merriam-Webster's Medical DictionaryThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference. by Merriam-Webster Inc.

Related discussion in the Handbook

See also Understanding Medical Terminology.

 
Published: March 4, 2013