German Mental Health Vocabulary

About this list

A curated list of essential German mental health vocabulary — organized into categories with translations and example sentences. A practical starting point for using these words in real conversations.

This guide explains the most important German mental health terms in plain language. We include practical words, phrases, and examples so you can understand others and express yourself in sensitive situations. For the broader emotional register that surrounds these clinical terms, see our list of German feelings vocabulary — and for the famously specific German emotional words like Weltschmerz and Kummerspeck that don't have neat English translations, our roundup of weird German words is the natural companion.

General Mental Health Terms

These are the basic words you’ll come across in conversations, doctor’s visits, or when reading about mental health.

die psychische Gesundheitmental health
die Belastungstress / strain
die Depressiondepression
die Angststörunganxiety disorder
die Panikattackepanic attack
die Therapietherapy
der Therapeut / die Therapeutintherapist (m/f)
die Behandlungtreatment
die Diagnosediagnosis
die psychische Erkrankungmental illness

Useful Mental Health Phrases

These next phrases can help you describe mood, emotional states or feelings:

Ich fühle mich oft überfordert.

I often feel overwhelmed.

Ich habe Probleme mit dem Einschlafen.

I have trouble falling asleep.

Ich habe in letzter Zeit viel Stress.

I've had a lot of stress lately.

Ich bin oft traurig, ohne genau zu wissen warum.

I'm often sad without knowing exactly why.

Ich habe manchmal Angst in sozialen Situationen.

Sometimes I feel anxious in social situations.

Mood, Emotions, States of Mind

These words are useful for describing mood, energy, and mental condition.

die Stimmungmood
die Traurigkeitsadness
die Antriebslosigkeitlack of motivation / drive
die Erschöpfungexhaustion
die Unruherestlessness / nervousness
die Gereiztheitirritability
die Hoffnungslosigkeithopelessness
die Konzentrationsschwierigkeitendifficulty concentrating
die Schlafstörungsleep disorder

Getting Help

Knowing how to ask for help and talk about treatment options is very important. Here are words and phrases that come up in therapy, counseling, or medical appointments.

der Psychologe / die Psychologinpsychologist (m/f)
der Psychiater / die Psychiaterinpsychiatrist (m/f)
die Psychotherapiepsychotherapy
die Gesprächstherapietalk therapy
die Verhaltenstherapiecognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
das Erstgesprächinitial consultation
die Behandlungsmethodetreatment method
die Medikamenteneinnahmemedication use / intake

Here are some example of how to use these words in a sentence:

Ich bin in therapeutischer Behandlung.

I'm receiving therapy.

Ich habe bald ein Erstgespräch bei einem Psychologen.

I have an initial consultation with a psychologist soon.

Die Therapie hilft mir, besser mit Stress umzugehen.

Therapy helps me cope better with stress.

Final Thoughts

In German, as in English, it's important to talk about mental health respectfully.

Mental health vocabulary in German is used in both medical and everyday language. Learning to express your feelings clearly is a valuable skill.

German Mental Health Vocabulary (B1) | Vocabulary List