disorder
medical condition affecting normal function
A problem in the body or mind that stops it from working normally, often described by doctors or mental health experts.
[someone] has [a/an] [type of] disorder
- She was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in her early twenties.
- Eating disorder specialists say that early treatment greatly improves outcomes.
- The medication is used to treat bipolar disorder and related mood disorders.
- Sleep disorder clinics have seen a rise in patients after the pandemic.
- Many people live full, productive lives while managing a mental disorder.
- He has a sleep disorder and often wakes up at night.
- The doctor thinks she may have an eating disorder.
- Depression is a common mental disorder.
- This medicine is used for a heart disorder.
- People with this disorder need regular care from a doctor.
state of mess or confusion
A situation where things are messy, not organized, or confused.
[something] is in (a state of) disorder
- The files were in complete disorder after the move.
- His thoughts were in disorder, and he could not make a clear plan.
- Years of poor management left the company in financial disorder.
- The classroom fell into disorder when the teacher left the room.
- The new manager was hired to bring order to the existing disorder.
- Her room is always in disorder.
- The meeting ended in disorder and nobody knew what to do.
- My ideas are in disorder, so I need to write them down.
- There was disorder in the office after the boss left.
- The project started well but soon fell into disorder.
public unrest or violent disturbance
A time when many people act violently or wildly in public and break the rules of normal life.
[there] is [public/civil] disorder [in place]
- The new tax law sparked civil disorder in several major cities.
- Police were deployed to prevent further public disorder after the match.
- Months of political disorder followed the disputed election.
- The government introduced emergency laws to deal with the street disorder.
- Television images showed scenes of disorder outside the parliament building.
- There was serious public disorder after the football game.
- Civil disorder increased after the president left the country.
- Police worked all night to control the disorder.
- The news showed pictures of disorder in the capital city.
- Leaders asked people to stay calm and avoid disorder.
to disturb normal order
To make something no longer ordered or working normally; to disturb or mess it up.
to disorder [something]
- The sudden change in schedule disordered his carefully planned day.
- Years of conflict have disordered the country’s political institutions.
- The trauma completely disordered her sense of who she was.
- A loud crash outside disordered his thoughts and he lost his place in the speech.
- The storm disordered their travel plans.
- Lack of sleep can disorder your thinking.
- The news disordered his calm mood.
- The children quickly disordered the clean room.
- Base: disorder
- Plural: disorder, disorders
- Base: disorder
- 3rd Person Singular: disorders
- Present Participle: disordering
- Past: disordered
anxiety disorder
1disorder with extreme anxiety
A mental problem where a person feels very strong worry or fear that does not match the real situation and makes life difficult.
- He was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder after months of constant worry.
- Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health problems.
bipolar disorder
1disorder with extreme mood swings
A mental health problem where a person’s mood changes between very high energy and very low sadness in strong, repeated cycles.
- Her brother lives with bipolar disorder and takes medication every day.
- The film explores what it is like to have bipolar disorder.
civil disorder
1public unrest or riots by citizens
Violent or uncontrolled actions by groups of people in a city or country, often against the government or police.
- The curfew was introduced after two nights of civil disorder.
- Insurance companies refused to cover damage caused by civil disorder.
eating disorder
1medical condition with disordered eating
A serious problem where a person eats in a very unhealthy way or has extreme fear of gaining weight, such as anorexia or bulimia.
- She was treated for an eating disorder when she was a teenager.
- Social media can sometimes make eating disorders worse.
in disorder
1in a messy or confused state
In a condition where things are not tidy, organized, or under control.
- The office was in disorder after the hurried move.
- Her notes were in disorder, so she struggled during the presentation.
mental disorder
1medical condition of the mind
A medical problem in the mind that changes how a person thinks, feels, or behaves, such as depression or schizophrenia.
- Depression is one of the most common types of mental disorder.
- Many people with a mental disorder do not receive any treatment.
order and disorder
1contrast between organized and chaotic states
A pair of ideas used to talk about the difference between things being organized and controlled and things being confused and out of control.
- The book explores the balance between order and disorder in nature.
- Modern cities are built on a constant struggle between order and disorder.
personality disorder
1long-term problematic personality pattern
A long-lasting mental problem where the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves causes many serious problems in their life and relationships.
- He was diagnosed with a personality disorder in his late twenties.
- People with personality disorders often need long-term therapy.
public disorder
1violent disturbance in public places
Dangerous or violent behavior by groups of people in public, which stops normal life from continuing safely.
- Extra police were sent to prevent public disorder after the verdict.
- The law gives courts new powers to deal with public disorder.
sleep disorder
1medical condition affecting sleep
A problem that makes it hard for a person to sleep normally, for example waking up many times or not being able to fall asleep.
- Shift workers often suffer from sleep disorders.
- He went to a clinic to check if he had a sleep disorder.