what is the definition of insane?

Answer 1

The term is originally derived from Latin where it meant simply 'unhealthy'.

Nowadays the only professional use of the word is in law, where it refers to a person incapable of distinguishing between right an wrong. Such a person is not held legally responsible for their crimes, though they can be required to obtain treatment for the mental defect which causes this problem or be restrained instead... perhaps indefinitely.

Of course, there's plenty of casual use, too, where it generally just denote something that is disagreeable of nonsensical.

Answer 2

For me, being insane is primarily being psychotic, very sadistic, or suffering from a fragmented or grossly abnormal personality disorder.

Psychosis is misunderstanding what the world is really like in a major and incapacitating way. The cardinal features of it are delusions (unfounded, bizarre beliefs) and hallucinations, usually compelling voices giving counterproductive orders. It may include fugue states or multiple personalities. Sadism is the perversion of getting pleasure from the power of inflicting pain.

My definition of insanity does NOT include most religious people or believers in other metaphysical systems like Wiccans or New Agers. The insane are dangerous to themselves and possibly others.

What is also NOT insane are neuroses, dementia, or most personality disorders including sociopathy. These are significant and even disabling mental defects, but they are not a loss of sanity.

Answer 3

Merriam-Webster dictionary as a deranged state of the mind or lack of understanding. Today it is most commonly encountered as an informal term or in the narrow legal context of the insanity defense, and in the medical profession, the term is now avoided in favour of specific diagnoses of mental illness as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.[1] When discussing mental illness in general terms, "pathology" is also considered a preferred descriptor.[2]

Answer 4

The best definition I've heard is "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

Answer 5

A popular saying goes thus: When an individual has delusional ideas not grounded in reality, they are called insane.
When a group of people have delusional thoughts not grounded in reality, it is called a religion

Answer 6

this adjective is used to describe a mad person.

in my opinion, one is insane if he follows up what a delusional person does, knows exactly how to hit his ego, and mostly retaliates against that one delusional person.

now which one would be mad? i can't explain.

Answer 7

insane is crazy. like you because you don't know what it means

Answer 8

''To keep doing things in the same way you have always done them and expect different results'' Sums up human experiance neatly.