Mental health is a universal concern, Learning the English terms allows you to access a vast amount of resources, research, and support available in English. Being knowledgeable about mental health terms enables better communication with healthcare providers, leading to more accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans. In this article you will learn some English words related to mental health problems.
Depression
A common and serious mood disorder that characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, lack of interest or pleasure in activities, and other emotional and physical problems, like fatigue and changes in appetite. It affects how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities.
Anxiety Disorders
A group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive fear, worry, or anxiety.These disorders can significantly interfere with daily life and include conditions like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, and Specific Phobias, which can lead to significant distress and impairment in daily life.
Schizophrenia
A chronic and severe mental disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, feel, and behave clearly. Symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impaired functioning in social or work settings.
Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
An anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear of social situations where one might be judged, embarrassed, or humiliated. This fear can lead to avoidance of social interactions and significant distress.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Bipolar Disorder
A mood disorder characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These shifts can affect sleep, energy, activity levels, and the ability to think clearly.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development. Symptoms may include difficulty focusing, excessive movement, and impulsive decision-making.
Borderline Personality Disorder
A mental health disorder that impacts the way you think and feel about yourself and others, causing problems functioning in everyday life. Individuals may experience intense emotional responses, fear of abandonment, and difficulties in maintaining stable relationships.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
An anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that the individual feels driven to perform in response to the obsessions, often to reduce anxiety. The repetitive behaviors, such as hand washing, checking on things, or cleaning, can significantly interfere with daily activities and social interactions.
Eating Disorders
A range of psychological conditions characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits that may involve insufficient or excessive food intake. They often involve distress or concern about body weight or shape. Common types include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge-Eating Disorder, which can lead to serious physical and emotional health issues.
Panic Disorder
An anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden periods of intense fear that may include palpitations, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, or a feeling of impending doom.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
A type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, usually in the fall or winter months when daylight hours are shorter. Symptoms may include low energy, irritability, and changes in sleep and appetite.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
A personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Individuals with NPD may have an inflated sense of self-importance and a strong sense of entitlement.
Antisocial Personality Disorder
A personality disorder characterized by a disregard for the rights of others, lack of remorse, patterns of deceitful or manipulative behavior, impulsivity, irritability, aggressiveness, and consistent irresponsibility.
Avoidant Personality Disorder
A personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. Individuals may avoid social situations due to fear of rejection or criticism.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.
Specific Phobias
An anxiety disorder characterized by an intense, irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that leads to avoidance behavior. Common phobias include fear of heights, animals, or flying.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
A complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states. Each personality state has its own unique pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and self.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
An anxiety disorder characterized by excessive, persistent, and unrealistic worry about everyday things, such as work, health, and social interactions. This worry is often difficult to control and can cause physical symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, and muscle tension.
Substance Use Disorders
A pattern of behaviors related to the use of a substance (such as drugs or alcohol) that leads to clinically significant impairment or distress. This includes addiction or dependence, where individuals may develop tolerance and experience withdrawal symptoms.
Paranoid Personality Disorder
A personality disorder characterized by a pervasive distrust and suspicion of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent. Individuals with this disorder may be excessively defensive, often having difficulty forming close relationships.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
A personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior. Individuals with this disorder may feel uncomfortable when they are not the center of attention.
Somatic Symptom Disorder
A mental disorder characterized by significant distress and disruption related to physical symptoms. Individuals with this disorder may experience persistent thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to their symptoms, even when medical evaluation does not reveal a clear medical cause.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
A severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) characterized by significant emotional and physical symptoms that occur in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Adjustment Disorder
A mental health condition that occurs in response to a significant life change or stressor, resulting in emotional or behavioral symptoms.that may include anxiety, depression, or difficulty functioning in social or work settings.