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

/ mĕn′tl /

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

Example Sentences

Sawusch, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, had been experiencing severe episodes of mental illness that had led to his hospitalization and later his arrest.

From Los Angeles Times

Her life derailed, she was taken in by mental health services, misdiagnosed as having a mental illness, given medication and therapy.

From BBC

In addition, they said there were 10 residential homes in the trust area registered with the care home watchdog, which provide care for people with a mental illness.

From BBC

Assisted dying is legal in Canada for terminally ill adults, but the country has delayed an expansion to its medical assistance in dying programme for people who have a mental illness.

From BBC

Yet millions of women have decided to continue taking antidepressants in pregnancy because untreated mental illness also poses risks.

From Salon

Related Words

• insanity
• mental disorder