Psykisk

Psykisk is a Scandinavian adjective used to describe things relating to the mind, i.e., mental or psychological. It is common in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish and appears in both everyday language and professional or academic contexts. Examples include psykisk hälsa (mental health), psykisk sjukdom or psykiske lidelser (mental illness), and psykiska egenskaper (psychological traits).

Etymology and form: the word derives from the Greek psyche meaning mind or soul, via Latin and other European linguistic developments. The suffix -isk forms adjectives meaning “relating to.” In Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish the form psykisk is widely used with similar meanings across the languages, reflecting shared roots in the Scandinavian linguistic area.

Usage and scope: psykisk is used to talk about mental processes, emotions, and psychological conditions, as well as general mental states. It appears in health care, education, and research, and is found in related terms such as psykologi (psychology), psykoterapi (psychotherapy), and discussions of mental health or cognitive aspects. The term emphasizes cognitive and emotional dimensions rather than physical ones.

Notes: psykisk primarily conveys non-physical, cognitive, or emotional aspects. It is not a term for paranormal or supernatural powers. When discussing such senses, speakers in Nordic languages typically use different expressions or contexts, rather than treating psykisk as equivalent to “psychic” in the paranormal sense.

See also: psychology, mental health, mental illness.