Understand mental-health names through everyday examples.
Choose a topic. Open a name. Tap the speaker to hear it.
Each scene is made up to help you picture a situation. One scene cannot tell you what condition someone has. A trained health worker considers the whole story, physical health, medicines, age, and culture.
What this library covers
This is a broad introduction across the major DSM-5-TR disorder families, not every coded subtype or every condition in other classification systems. Some entries describe groups, presentations, or related symptoms rather than separate disorders. Diagnostic names and classifications can change.
You may also hear “other specified” or “unspecified.” These are broad diagnostic labels used when symptoms do not fit a named condition fully or more information is needed. “Other specified” states the reason; “unspecified” does not. A person can still need care.
These short explanations leave out detailed diagnostic requirements. They help you recognize when to ask for care; they do not provide a diagnosis. Being different, grieving, having a bad day, or disagreeing with someone does not by itself mean illness.
Clinical review by an independent qualified professional is still pending. Sources were checked in October 2026. Read our source and review policy.
Choose a topic
You do not need to know a medical word.
Growing, learning & communicating
Intellectual disability
Meaning and everyday example
Intellectual disability
In simple words
A person has lasting difficulty learning, reasoning, and managing daily tasks, beginning while growing up. Support needs differ.
Picture this
An adult learns a bus route with repeated practice and needs help handling bills.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A young child is behind in several areas of development. It is used when a fuller assessment is not yet possible.
Picture this
A preschool child needs extra help learning to talk, move, and play with others.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Understanding or using words and sentences is persistently difficult.
Picture this
A child struggles to explain what happened at school, even with time and encouragement.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Making speech sounds clearly is difficult beyond what is expected for the child's age.
Picture this
A child's speech remains hard for unfamiliar people to understand.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Speech repeatedly gets stuck, repeats, or stretches sounds, often with tension.
Picture this
A child knows an answer but the first sound keeps repeating when speaking.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Using language in social situations is difficult. This differs from autism, which also involves restricted or repetitive patterns.
Picture this
A child speaks clearly but needs help taking turns and understanding an indirect request.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A developmental difference involving social communication and restricted or repetitive patterns, interests, or sensory experiences. Needs vary widely.
Picture this
A child needs predictable routines, finds loud rooms overwhelming, and communicates best with pictures.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
An ongoing pattern of difficulty managing attention, activity, or impulses affects life. It is not laziness.
Picture this
An adult repeatedly loses keys, misses appointments, and struggles to finish tasks despite trying hard.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Learning reading, writing, or math is unusually difficult despite suitable teaching. It does not mean low intelligence.
Picture this
A child understands a story read aloud but struggles to read the words on the page.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Learning and carrying out coordinated movements is difficult and affects everyday activities.
Picture this
A child needs much more practice than peers to use cutlery or fasten clothes.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated movements such as rocking or head hitting interfere with activities or cause injury.
Picture this
A child repeatedly hits their head when overwhelmed and needs a safety and support plan.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Motor tics and vocal tics occur over time. Tics are repeated movements or sounds that are hard to control.
Picture this
A student blinks and clears their throat repeatedly, even when asked to stop.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Long-lasting motor tics or vocal tics occur, but not both types as required for Tourette's.
Picture this
A child repeatedly jerks a shoulder for over a year.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Motor or vocal tics have been present for less than a year.
Picture this
A child recently began blinking and sniffing repeatedly without a cold.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A lasting condition can affect reality, thinking, motivation, and functioning. Hearing voices is one possible sign. It does not mean having two personalities.
Picture this
A person hears a voice others cannot hear and becomes too distracted and withdrawn to manage daily tasks.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Periods of psychosis and major mood episodes occur, with psychosis also happening outside the mood episodes.
Picture this
A person has a severe depression and hears voices, but the voices also persist when the depression lifts.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Symptoms similar to schizophrenia last between one and six months. Longer-term assessment may change the diagnosis.
Picture this
Over several months, a person develops voices and confused speech and needs care.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Psychosis begins suddenly, lasts less than a month, and is followed by return to earlier functioning.
Picture this
For several days, a person becomes convinced a television is sending personal instructions, then recovers with care.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A strongly held false belief persists despite evidence, while other functioning may be less affected.
Picture this
A person repeatedly complains that neighbors secretly enter the house despite careful checks showing no entry.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A drug, alcohol, or medicine can cause hallucinations or delusions. A clinician checks timing and other causes.
Picture this
After using a drug, a person hears threatening voices that were not present before.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Psychotic disorder due to another medical condition
Meaning and everyday example
Psychotic disorder due to another medical condition
In simple words
An illness affecting the body or brain directly causes psychosis.
Picture this
A person develops unusual beliefs during a brain illness and needs medical assessment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
At least one manic episode occurs: unusually raised or irritable mood and energy with serious disruption. Depression may also occur.
Picture this
For days, a person barely sleeps, talks nonstop, and spends rent money on huge plans, needing urgent care.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Major depression and hypomania occur. Hypomania is a clear change in energy and mood, less severe than mania; full mania is absent.
Picture this
A person has deep depressions and separate periods of much less sleep, extra talk, and unusual activity.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Long-lasting ups and downs include depressive and hypomanic symptoms that do not meet full episode criteria.
Picture this
Across years, a person's energy and mood repeatedly swing enough to strain everyday life.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Substance/medication-induced bipolar and related disorder
Meaning and everyday example
Substance/medication-induced bipolar and related disorder
In simple words
A substance or medicine causes a marked high-energy or irritable mood disturbance.
Picture this
After a medicine change, a person becomes unusually energized and sleepless and calls the prescriber.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Bipolar and related disorder due to another medical condition
Meaning and everyday example
Bipolar and related disorder due to another medical condition
In simple words
A body or brain illness directly causes a bipolar-like mood change.
Picture this
After a neurological illness, a person develops a striking new pattern of overactivity and little sleep.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Low mood or loss of interest lasts most days for at least two weeks, with other changes that affect life.
Picture this
A person stops enjoying family meals, feels empty, sleeps poorly, and struggles to get to work for weeks.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Depressed mood continues over a long period, often years, with other symptoms.
Picture this
A person keeps working but has felt low, tired, and hopeless much of the time for years.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A child has severe repeated outbursts and ongoing irritability between them, beyond what fits their age.
Picture this
A child has frequent intense tantrums in several settings and remains angry much of the day.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Severe recurring mood symptoms happen before periods and ease afterward, disrupting life.
Picture this
Each month before a period, a person becomes deeply distressed and unable to manage usual activities, then improves.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A substance or medicine causes a significant depressive disturbance.
Picture this
Low mood begins around a substance or medicine change and a clinician checks the connection.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Depressive disorder due to another medical condition
Meaning and everyday example
Depressive disorder due to another medical condition
In simple words
A medical illness directly causes a depressive disturbance.
Picture this
A person develops severe depressive symptoms linked to a medical condition and needs both medical and mental-health care.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Hard-to-control worry about several parts of life continues for months, with tension or other symptoms.
Picture this
Even when things are going well, a person spends hours worrying about money, children, and small mistakes.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Fear of separation from important people is excessive for the person's age and affects life. Adults can have it too.
Picture this
A child repeatedly cannot attend school because they fear a parent will be harmed while apart.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A person consistently cannot speak in certain situations despite speaking in others. It is not simply choosing to be rude.
Picture this
A child chats freely at home but cannot speak at school despite wanting to answer.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A particular thing or situation brings intense fear and avoidance beyond the actual danger.
Picture this
A person avoids necessary appointments because seeing a needle brings overwhelming fear.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations seriously limits life.
Picture this
A student skips presentations and meals with classmates because being watched feels unbearable.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated unexpected panic attacks are followed by continuing worry or changes in behavior. A panic attack alone is not this diagnosis.
Picture this
After sudden waves of terror and racing heart, a person keeps avoiding activities for fear another attack will happen.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A person fears situations where escape or help might feel difficult if symptoms occur.
Picture this
A person stops using buses and crowded shops because they fear becoming unwell and being unable to leave.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A substance or medicine causes significant anxiety or panic.
Picture this
After a substance change, a person develops new intense anxiety and asks a clinician to check the cause.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A physical illness directly causes anxiety symptoms.
Picture this
A person with a newly identified body illness develops severe anxiety needing medical evaluation.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Unwanted recurring thoughts or urges and repeated actions take time or cause distress. Disturbing thoughts do not equal wishes or intentions.
Picture this
A person knows a door is locked but checks it repeatedly until they are late for work.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A person becomes intensely preoccupied with a small or unseen appearance flaw, with checking or other repeated actions.
Picture this
A person spends hours checking a perceived facial flaw and avoids friends because of it.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Letting go of possessions is persistently difficult, leaving living areas cluttered and hard to use.
Picture this
A person's kitchen fills with saved items until there is no safe space to cook.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated hair pulling causes hair loss and is difficult to stop.
Picture this
A person pulls hair while tense and hides bald patches, despite repeated efforts to stop.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated skin picking causes wounds and is difficult to stop.
Picture this
A person repeatedly picks small skin marks until they bleed and feels unable to interrupt the habit.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Substance/medication-induced obsessive-compulsive and related disorder
Meaning and everyday example
Substance/medication-induced obsessive-compulsive and related disorder
In simple words
A substance or medicine causes marked obsessive-compulsive or related symptoms.
Picture this
New repetitive picking or rituals appear after a substance change and need assessment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorder due to another medical condition
Meaning and everyday example
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorder due to another medical condition
In simple words
A physical illness directly causes obsessive-compulsive or related symptoms.
Picture this
New compulsive behaviors appear with a brain illness and a clinician investigates.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
After exposure to severe trauma, memories, avoidance, mood changes, and a sense of danger persist and affect life.
Picture this
Months after an assault, a person has nightmares, avoids reminders, and startles at small noises.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Significant trauma symptoms occur in the first month after a traumatic event.
Picture this
Days after a serious crash, a person feels detached, has intrusive memories, and cannot manage usual tasks.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
An identifiable stress brings distress or behavior changes that exceed what fits the situation and disrupt life.
Picture this
After a job loss, a person becomes so distressed that they cannot manage family routines and seeks support.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
After a death, intense longing or preoccupation persists beyond the required time and cultural expectations, seriously disrupting life. Ordinary grief is not an illness.
Picture this
Long after a loved one's death, a person remains unable to rejoin daily activities because longing dominates most days.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Following extreme early inadequate care, a young child rarely seeks or responds to comfort from caregivers.
Picture this
A young child with a history of severe neglect stays withdrawn even when a safe caregiver offers comfort.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Following extreme early inadequate care, a child is unusually familiar with strangers and lacks expected caution.
Picture this
A young child with a severe neglect history approaches unfamiliar adults and tries to leave with them.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A person experiences disruptions in identity and recurring memory gaps beyond ordinary forgetting. Careful specialist assessment is important.
Picture this
A person finds evidence of daily activities they cannot remember and experiences major shifts in their sense of self.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Important personal memories become inaccessible beyond ordinary forgetting, often related to overwhelming stress.
Picture this
After a deeply distressing event, a person cannot recall an important stretch of personal history.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated or ongoing feelings of being detached from oneself or surroundings cause distress. The person knows the feeling is not literal reality.
Picture this
A person feels as if watching themselves in a film, while knowing they are really present.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Physical symptoms are accompanied by excessive distress, thoughts, or behaviors about them. Symptoms are real, and physical illness may also be present.
Picture this
A person with pain spends much of each day checking and worrying, leaving little room for everyday life.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Persistent fear of having a serious illness continues despite few or mild bodily symptoms and appropriate assessment.
Picture this
After reassuring medical checks, a person keeps fearing a deadly illness and repeatedly checks their body.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Real symptoms such as weakness or seizure-like episodes reflect changes in nervous-system functioning rather than the usual structural disease pattern. They are not deliberate.
Picture this
A person's leg becomes weak; specialist tests and examination identify a functional problem and guide treatment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Psychological factors affecting other medical conditions
Meaning and everyday example
Psychological factors affecting other medical conditions
In simple words
Stress or behavior worsens an existing physical illness or interferes with its treatment.
Picture this
Severe fear leads a person with diabetes to repeatedly avoid needed care, worsening health.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A person deliberately falsifies or causes illness to appear unwell, without an obvious outside reward.
Picture this
A person secretly creates signs of illness and repeatedly seeks treatment as a patient.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A person deliberately falsifies or causes illness in someone else. The diagnosis applies to the person doing it; the other person needs protection.
Picture this
A caregiver invents a dependent person's symptoms and exposes them to unnecessary treatment. Get safeguarding help.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Eating nonfood substances persists beyond what fits age and culture. It can be medically dangerous.
Picture this
A child repeatedly eats dirt or paper and needs a health assessment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Food repeatedly comes back up after eating and may be rechewed or spat out; it is not explained by the usual stomach conditions.
Picture this
After meals, a person repeatedly brings food back into the mouth without typical vomiting.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Food avoidance or restriction leads to nutrition, growth, or major life problems, without being driven by body-shape concerns.
Picture this
A child eats so few foods because of textures that growth slows and family meals become difficult.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Restriction leads to significantly low weight, with intense fear of weight gain or behaviors preventing gain and a disturbed view of weight or its seriousness.
Picture this
A person eats less and less and feels they must keep losing weight even as health deteriorates.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated binges with a sense of lost control are followed by attempts to compensate, such as vomiting, with strong weight or shape concerns.
Picture this
A person secretly eats a large amount, then tries to undo it by vomiting and feels trapped in the cycle.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated eating binges with lost control cause distress, without the regular compensating behaviors of bulimia.
Picture this
A person eats far beyond comfort while feeling unable to stop and later feels deeply distressed.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)
Meaning and everyday example
Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)
In simple words
A serious eating problem does not fit every criterion of a named eating disorder; the clinician states why. It still deserves care.
Picture this
A person has dangerous restriction and intense weight fear but does not meet the low-weight requirement for anorexia.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A significant eating problem is identified but a more specific label or reason is not yet given.
Picture this
A clinic identifies an eating problem during an urgent visit and arranges a fuller assessment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated passing of urine into clothes or bed occurs beyond the expected developmental age. Medical causes must be checked.
Picture this
A school-age child repeatedly wets the bed and needs support, not punishment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated passing of stool in inappropriate places occurs beyond the expected developmental age, often with constipation.
Picture this
A child soils underwear after holding in stool and needs medical help and a gentle routine.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early persists despite a chance to sleep and affects daytime life.
Picture this
A person lies awake for hours on many nights and struggles to function the next day.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Excessive sleepiness continues despite enough main sleep, after other causes are considered.
Picture this
A person sleeps through the night but repeatedly struggles to stay awake during ordinary daytime tasks.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
The brain has difficulty regulating sleep and waking, causing marked daytime sleepiness and sometimes sudden muscle weakness.
Picture this
A person unintentionally falls asleep during daytime activities and needs specialist testing.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Breathing repeatedly narrows or stops during sleep because the upper airway is blocked.
Picture this
A sleeper snores loudly, pauses breathing, and wakes unrefreshed. A sleep assessment can help.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
The brain's breathing signals repeatedly pause during sleep.
Picture this
A sleep test shows repeated breathing pauses without the usual airway blockage.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Breathing during sleep is too shallow or slow, allowing carbon dioxide to build up.
Picture this
A person has morning headaches and daytime sleepiness, and testing finds poor overnight ventilation.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
The body's sleep timing does not match the required schedule, causing sleep or daytime problems.
Picture this
A shift worker struggles to sleep during the day and stay awake during night work.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Partial waking from deep sleep can involve sleepwalking or sleep terrors, often with little memory afterward.
Picture this
A child walks around while still partly asleep and remembers little the next morning.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated deeply disturbing dreams cause distress or affect sleep and daytime life.
Picture this
A person repeatedly wakes from frightening dreams and becomes afraid to go to bed.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A person acts out dreams because the usual muscle stillness during dream sleep is lost. Injury is possible.
Picture this
A sleeper shouts and swings an arm during a dream, so the household seeks a sleep assessment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
An urge to move the legs, often with uncomfortable feelings, worsens at rest and in the evening and eases with movement.
Picture this
At bedtime, a person cannot keep their legs still and repeatedly gets up to walk.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A substance or medicine causes a significant sleep disturbance.
Picture this
A person develops persistent sleep trouble after a substance or medicine change and asks for review.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Persistently low sexual thoughts or desire causes personal distress after context and other causes are considered. Low desire alone is not an illness.
Picture this
An adult is troubled by a lasting loss of desire and asks a clinician about health and relationship factors.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated difficulty getting or keeping an erection causes distress and needs assessment of physical and psychological causes.
Picture this
An adult repeatedly struggles during wanted intimacy and books a medical appointment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Ejaculation is repeatedly very delayed or absent during wanted sexual activity, causing distress.
Picture this
An adult feels distressed by a lasting change and seeks help rather than blaming a partner.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Ejaculation repeatedly occurs sooner than wanted with difficulty delaying it, causing distress.
Picture this
An adult avoids intimacy because the recurring problem is upsetting and asks for care.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A persistent reduction in sexual interest or arousal causes personal distress after context and other causes are considered.
Picture this
An adult is troubled by a lasting change in desire and response and discusses it with a clinician.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Persistent difficulty reaching orgasm or a marked reduction in its intensity causes distress.
Picture this
An adult wants help for a recurring difficulty that is upsetting, rather than treating a partner's expectations as a diagnosis.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Pain, fear of pain, or muscle tightening makes penetration difficult or distressing. Medical causes need assessment.
Picture this
An adult experiences pain and tightening during attempted wanted intimacy and seeks gentle medical care.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A substance or medicine causes a distressing change in sexual function.
Picture this
A person notices a change after a medicine adjustment and asks the prescriber; they do not stop it abruptly.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Significant distress or impairment relates to a mismatch between experienced gender and sex assigned at birth. Being transgender or gender diverse is not a mental illness.
Picture this
A person feels persistent distress about sex characteristics and seeks respectful support. Identity alone is not a diagnosis.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A lasting pattern of angry, argumentative, or vindictive behavior exceeds what fits a child's age and affects life.
Picture this
A child repeatedly has intense conflicts with adults across daily routines and needs family-focused assessment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated impulsive aggressive outbursts are far out of proportion to the trigger.
Picture this
A small disagreement leads to a sudden destructive outburst, followed by regret; the pattern keeps recurring.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A repeated pattern violates others' basic rights or major age-appropriate rules. Causes and support needs require careful assessment.
Picture this
A young person repeatedly intimidates others and destroys property, needing a safety and treatment plan.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated deliberate fire setting is linked to tension beforehand and attraction to fire, rather than ordinary motives such as profit or revenge.
Picture this
A person repeatedly feels compelled to set fires and needs urgent help to prevent harm. Most fire setting is not pyromania.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated difficulty resisting the urge to steal items that are not needed for use or value occurs.
Picture this
A person repeatedly steals small unwanted items after rising tension, then feels ashamed and seeks help.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Alcohol use becomes hard to control and causes problems despite attempts to change.
Picture this
A person repeatedly drinks more than planned, misses responsibilities, and cannot cut down. Severe withdrawal can be dangerous.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Cannabis use becomes difficult to control and continues despite harmful effects.
Picture this
A person keeps using cannabis despite missed work and repeated failed attempts to reduce use.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Repeated PCP use causes impaired control or significant harm.
Picture this
A person repeatedly returns to PCP use despite frightening episodes and disrupted life.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Use of other hallucinogens causes impaired control or significant harm.
Picture this
A person keeps using a hallucinogenic drug despite recurring problems at home and work.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Using inhaled chemicals for their effects becomes hard to control and harmful.
Picture this
A person repeatedly inhales chemical fumes for their effects and needs prompt help because this can be deadly.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Opioid use involves impaired control and harm. Tolerance during prescribed treatment alone does not establish the disorder.
Picture this
A person repeatedly uses opioids despite overdoses and wants help stopping. Treatment can reduce overdose risk.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Use of sleeping or calming drugs becomes difficult to control and harmful.
Picture this
A person takes more calming tablets than intended and cannot safely manage use. Abrupt withdrawal can be dangerous.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Use of stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine becomes difficult to control and harmful.
Picture this
A person repeatedly uses a stimulant despite sleeplessness and major money and family problems.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Nicotine-containing tobacco use is difficult to control and continues despite harm.
Picture this
A person wants to quit smoking but repeatedly returns to it despite worsening breathing.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Another substance, or one not yet identified, causes impaired control and significant problems.
Picture this
A person keeps using an unknown drug despite harm and seeks assessment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Recent substance use causes a recognizable temporary change in behavior, thinking, or body function. This is a diagnostic group, not proof of addiction.
Picture this
After drinking, a person becomes unsteady and confused. Slow breathing or difficulty waking is an emergency.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Reducing or stopping a regularly used substance causes a characteristic set of symptoms. The pattern differs by substance.
Picture this
A person becomes shaky and unwell after stopping heavy daily drinking and seeks urgent medical care.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Too much caffeine causes a significant cluster of symptoms such as restlessness, sleeplessness, or racing heartbeat.
Picture this
After many caffeinated drinks, a person becomes very restless and cannot sleep.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Cutting back after regular caffeine use causes symptoms such as headache and fatigue.
Picture this
A daily coffee drinker stops suddenly and develops a headache and unusual tiredness.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Distressing visual changes recur after hallucinogen use has ended, after other causes are checked.
Picture this
Long after drug use, a person keeps seeing trails around moving objects and seeks assessment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Persistent gambling becomes hard to control and causes major life problems.
Picture this
A person repeatedly gambles bill money, hides losses, and cannot stop despite trying.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A sudden, fluctuating change in attention and awareness often reflects illness, medicine effects, or withdrawal. Seek urgent medical care.
Picture this
An older adult who was clear yesterday becomes confused and unusually sleepy today during an infection.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A decline in thinking abilities interferes with independent daily life. Different diseases can cause it.
Picture this
A person repeatedly gets lost on familiar routes and can no longer safely manage medicines.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A measurable decline in thinking is present, but everyday independence is largely maintained, sometimes with extra effort.
Picture this
A person notices increasing memory difficulty and relies on lists while still managing daily tasks.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease
Meaning and everyday example
Neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease
In simple words
Alzheimer's disease causes a progressive decline in memory and other thinking abilities.
Picture this
A person repeatedly forgets recent conversations and gradually needs more daily support.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Disease affecting frontal or temporal brain areas causes progressive behavior or language changes.
Picture this
A person's manners and judgment change markedly, or familiar words become increasingly hard to find.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Thinking changes may occur with fluctuations, visual hallucinations, movement symptoms, and disturbed dream sleep.
Picture this
A person has clear and confused periods, sees people who are not there, and develops stiffness.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Damage to brain blood vessels contributes to a decline in thinking.
Picture this
After strokes, a person has new trouble planning tasks and managing finances.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury
Meaning and everyday example
Neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury
In simple words
A brain injury causes lasting difficulties with thinking or daily functioning.
Picture this
After a serious head injury, a person has persistent trouble remembering instructions.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Substances or medicines cause a lasting decline in thinking beyond a brief intoxication.
Picture this
After prolonged harmful substance use, a person has continuing memory problems requiring assessment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
HIV-related brain effects cause difficulties with thinking or functioning.
Picture this
A person living with HIV notices new planning and memory problems and seeks medical review.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A rare prion disease can cause rapidly worsening thinking and neurological problems.
Picture this
Over a short period, a person develops fast-worsening confusion and movement problems requiring urgent specialist care.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Neurocognitive disorder due to Parkinson's disease
Meaning and everyday example
Neurocognitive disorder due to Parkinson's disease
In simple words
Parkinson's disease is accompanied by a decline in thinking beyond the movement symptoms.
Picture this
A person with Parkinson's develops increasing difficulty organizing tasks and remembering information.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Neurocognitive disorder due to Huntington's disease
Meaning and everyday example
Neurocognitive disorder due to Huntington's disease
In simple words
Huntington's disease can cause progressive thinking, behavior, and movement changes.
Picture this
A person with Huntington's needs growing help with planning and daily decisions.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Neurocognitive disorder due to another medical condition
Meaning and everyday example
Neurocognitive disorder due to another medical condition
In simple words
Another illness directly causes a decline in thinking.
Picture this
A person develops ongoing thinking problems linked to an identified medical illness.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Neurocognitive disorder due to multiple etiologies
Meaning and everyday example
Neurocognitive disorder due to multiple etiologies
In simple words
More than one cause contributes to thinking decline.
Picture this
A clinician finds that both Alzheimer's disease and vascular damage contribute to a person's difficulties.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A pervasive pattern of mistrust leads a person to interpret others' motives as harmful, affecting relationships.
Picture this
A person repeatedly assumes harmless comments are attempts to undermine them and cannot sustain trusting relationships.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A pervasive pattern of social detachment and limited emotional expression affects life. Introversion alone is not a disorder.
Picture this
A person consistently avoids close relationships and shows little emotional response across many settings.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A pervasive pattern combines difficulty with close relationships, unusual beliefs or perceptions, and distinctive behavior.
Picture this
A person feels that ordinary events carry special personal messages and struggles with close connections.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A lasting pattern of disregarding others' rights includes harmful or irresponsible behavior, with a relevant earlier history. It does not mean being shy.
Picture this
An adult repeatedly deceives and exploits others and ignores the harm caused; a clinician examines the lifelong pattern.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A lasting pattern involves intense emotions, unstable relationships or self-image, and impulsivity. Treatment can help.
Picture this
A small sign of separation feels unbearable; a person swings between closeness and conflict and seeks skills to manage distress.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A pervasive pattern of excessive emotional expression and attention seeking affects functioning.
Picture this
Across many situations, a person feels deeply uncomfortable without attention and relationships repeatedly suffer.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and limited empathy causes problems. A single selfish act is not a diagnosis.
Picture this
A person repeatedly expects special treatment and dismisses others' needs, damaging relationships across settings.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A pervasive fear of rejection and feelings of inadequacy lead to avoiding social involvement despite wanting connection.
Picture this
A person wants friendships but repeatedly avoids opportunities because criticism feels unbearable.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A pervasive need to be cared for leads to submissive behavior and intense fear of separation.
Picture this
An adult cannot make ordinary decisions without repeated reassurance and remains in harmful relationships to avoid being alone.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Rigid perfectionism, order, and control interfere with flexibility and relationships. This differs from OCD's intrusive thoughts and rituals.
Picture this
A person repeatedly misses deadlines because nothing feels perfect and cannot let others do tasks their own way.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Personality change due to another medical condition
Meaning and everyday example
Personality change due to another medical condition
In simple words
A lasting change from earlier personality is directly caused by a medical illness.
Picture this
After a brain illness, a previously careful person becomes markedly impulsive and needs assessment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A persistent pattern of arousal from observing unsuspecting people in private becomes a disorder when diagnostic conditions, including acting without consent or significant distress or impairment, are met.
Picture this
An adult has recurring urges to watch people without consent and seeks specialist help to prevent harm.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A persistent pattern of arousal from exposing genitals to unsuspecting people becomes a disorder under diagnostic conditions involving nonconsent or significant distress or impairment.
Picture this
An adult has recurring urges to expose themselves to strangers and seeks help before acting.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A persistent pattern of arousal from touching or rubbing against a nonconsenting person becomes a disorder under diagnostic conditions.
Picture this
An adult feels recurring urges to touch strangers without permission and seeks help to keep others safe.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A pattern of arousal involving one's own suffering causes significant distress or impairment. Consensual interest alone is not a disorder.
Picture this
An adult's recurring sexual pattern causes serious personal distress and interferes with daily life, so they seek care.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A pattern of arousal from another person's suffering involves acting with a nonconsenting person or causes significant distress or impairment under diagnostic conditions.
Picture this
An adult worries about recurring urges to harm others sexually and seeks specialist help to prevent harm.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A persistent sexual interest in prepubescent children meets additional diagnostic conditions, such as acting on urges or significant distress or interpersonal difficulty. Children cannot consent.
Picture this
An adult recognizes dangerous recurring urges involving children and seeks specialist help immediately while avoiding access to children.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A persistent sexual focus on certain objects or nongenital body parts causes significant distress or impairment. A consensual interest alone is not a disorder.
Picture this
An adult's pattern seriously interferes with life and causes personal distress, leading them to seek care.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A pattern of arousal involving cross-dressing causes significant distress or impairment. Clothing choices or gender identity alone are not disorders.
Picture this
An adult seeks help for distress and life disruption linked to this arousal pattern; dressing differently alone needs no diagnosis.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A serious syndrome can involve unusual lack of movement or response, rigid postures, or marked agitation. It can occur with psychiatric or medical conditions and needs urgent care.
Picture this
A person becomes nearly motionless and stops eating or responding normally; the household seeks urgent medical assessment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A sudden surge of intense fear brings symptoms such as racing heart, breathlessness, or dizziness. It can occur in many conditions and is not by itself panic disorder.
Picture this
A person suddenly feels terrified with a racing heart on a bus. New chest pain or fainting needs medical attention.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Depression during pregnancy or after birth is a timing-related presentation, not a separate disorder family.
Picture this
After childbirth, a parent remains deeply low and cannot enjoy usual activities, and asks for care rather than dismissing it as baby blues.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Psychosis after childbirth is an emergency presentation that can involve confusion, unusual beliefs, or voices. It requires urgent assessment.
Picture this
After a birth, a parent becomes confused, barely sleeps, and hears voices; another adult helps keep everyone safe and calls emergency care.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Thinking about or taking steps toward ending one's life is a serious warning sign, not a single psychiatric diagnosis.
Picture this
A person says they want to die and starts preparing. Stay with them if safe and get immediate crisis or emergency help.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Deliberate self-injury without intent to die is a behavior that still needs support and a safety assessment.
Picture this
A person injures themselves to cope with overwhelming feelings and needs compassionate help, not punishment.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
Some medicines can cause persistent involuntary movements, often of the face or limbs.
Picture this
A person taking a medicine develops new lip movements and contacts the prescriber rather than stopping abruptly.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
A rare dangerous reaction to certain medicines can cause fever, stiffness, and confusion. It is an emergency.
Picture this
After a medicine change, a person develops a high fever, rigid muscles, and confusion; the family calls emergency services.
This is a made-up example, not a checklist for diagnosing someone.
How to get help
If this pattern is distressing, unsafe, or making life hard, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. You can say: “I have noticed a change. Can you help me understand it?”
For immediate danger, severe confusion, an overdose, or trouble breathing, call your local emergency number. In the U.S., call 911. For suicidal thoughts or an emotional crisis in the U.S., call or text 988. You do not need a diagnosis to ask for help.