Mental & Emotional State

Basic symptoms

不安感が強いです。
ふあんかんがつよいです。
I feel very anxious.
The most basic phrase — use this first if you're unsure how to describe what you're feeling.
Suggested Department
PsychiatryPsychosomatic Medicine (stress-related physical symptoms; often combined with Psychiatry)

No need to precisely distinguish Psychiatry from Psychosomatic Medicine — many clinics offer both together; either is fine, the doctor will determine the direction after talking with you

Related気分が落ち込む（feeling down/depressed）
気分が落ち込んでいます。
きぶんがおちこんでいます。
I've been feeling down.
The most basic phrase — the doctor will want to know how long it's lasted and whether it's affecting daily life.
Suggested Department
PsychiatryPsychosomatic Medicine (stress-related physical symptoms; often combined with Psychiatry)
Related不安感が強い（strong anxiety）過呼吸（hyperventilation）

By symptom type

夜眠れません。
よるねむれません。
I can't sleep.
Whether you have trouble falling asleep, wake up easily, or wake too early — the doctor will ask about this detail.
Suggested Department
Psychosomatic Medicine (stress-related physical symptoms; often combined with Psychiatry)Psychiatry
Related不安感が強い（strong anxiety）
最近イライラします。
さいきんイライラします。
I've been feeling irritable.
A common symptom that comes with stress and lack of sleep.
Suggested Department
PsychiatryPsychosomatic Medicine (stress-related physical symptoms; often combined with Psychiatry)
集中できません。
しゅうちゅうできません。
I can't concentrate.
If it's clearly affecting your work or studies, it's worth mentioning that to the doctor.
Suggested Department
PsychiatryPsychosomatic Medicine (stress-related physical symptoms; often combined with Psychiatry)
Related気分が落ち込む（feeling down/depressed）
急に不安になって、心臓がドキドキして、息が苦しくなります。
きゅうにふあんになって、しんぞうがドキドキして、いきがくるしくなります。
I have panic attacks — sudden intense anxiety, racing heart, trouble breathing.
If this is the first time it's happened and the symptoms are intense, it may be initially treated as a cardiac or respiratory emergency — describe the situation honestly to the doctor.
Suggested Department
Psychosomatic Medicine (stress-related physical symptoms; often combined with Psychiatry)Psychiatry
Relatedなんとなく気分が沈む・身体が重い（vague low mood and heaviness）
何をするにもやる気が出ません。
なにをするにもやるきがでません。
I have no motivation to do anything.
Losing interest in things you used to enjoy is also worth telling the doctor.
Suggested Department
PsychiatryPsychosomatic Medicine (stress-related physical symptoms; often combined with Psychiatry)
Related気分が落ち込む（feeling down/depressed）
最近お酒や薬の量が増えました。
さいきんおさけやくすりのりょうがふえました。
I've been drinking or taking medication more than usual.
This is important information for the doctor to assess changes in your mental state — you don't need to feel any pressure about sharing it honestly.
Suggested Department
PsychiatryPsychosomatic Medicine (stress-related physical symptoms; often combined with Psychiatry)Certified Addiction Treatment Center (government-designated, specialized in alcohol/drug dependency)

You can first consult Psychiatry/Psychosomatic Medicine; Japan has government-designated "Addiction Treatment Centers" in each prefecture that specialize in alcohol/drug dependency, though not every psychiatry clinic has this — you can search for one near you via the Kurihama Medical Center website

Relatedお酒や薬をやめたいのにやめられない（unable to stop drinking/drug use despite wanting to）
呼吸が速くなって、手足がしびれます。
こきゅうがはやくなって、てあしがしびれます。
I'm hyperventilating — breathing fast, hands and feet feel numb.
A common accompanying symptom of panic attacks — if it's the first time, it's worth getting checked out.
Suggested Department
Psychosomatic Medicine (stress-related physical symptoms; often combined with Psychiatry)Psychiatry
Relatedパニック発作（panic attack）
はっきりした理由はないのですが、なんとなく気分が沈んで、身体が重い感じがします。
はっきりしたりゆうはないのですが、なんとなくきぶんがしずんで、からだがおもいかんじがします。
I don't have a clear reason, but I just feel down and my body feels heavy.
At a first appointment, many people don't know how to describe abstract emotional feelings — this phrase is common and familiar to doctors, so you don't need to have it all figured out before going.
Suggested Department
Psychosomatic Medicine (stress-related physical symptoms; often combined with Psychiatry)Psychiatry
Related気分が落ち込む（feeling down/depressed）やる気が出ない（lack of motivation）
お酒（薬）をやめたいのに、やめられません。
おさけ（くすり）をやめたいのに、やめられません。
I want to stop drinking (or taking medication), but I can't.
This is one of the classic early signs of addiction (izonshou) — you don't need to feel ashamed telling the doctor honestly. Japan has specialized addiction treatment institutions certified by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare that are more specialized in handling this than a general psychiatry department.
Suggested Department
PsychiatryPsychosomatic Medicine (stress-related physical symptoms; often combined with Psychiatry)Certified Addiction Treatment Center (government-designated, specialized in alcohol/drug dependency)

This is a typical early sign of dependency — be honest with your doctor, there's no need to feel ashamed. Japan has government-designated addiction treatment centers that handle this more specifically than general psychiatry

Relatedお酒や薬の量が増えた（increased alcohol/drug use）

Signs that need immediate help

消えてしまいたいと思うことがあります。
きえてしまいたいとおもうことがあります。
I've had thoughts of wanting to disappear / not wanting to exist.
This isn't something you can resolve with just one sentence — please don't carry it alone. Our site's 'Quick Reference for Special Groups' page has a fuller list of support resources (including free helplines). If it's urgent, call 119 directly or go to the nearest emergency room.
⚠️ Danger sign — could be life-threatening
Suggested Department
Emergency / Call ambulance (119)

If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call emergency services or go to an ER with psychiatric care immediately, or call a mental health crisis hotline

Mental & Emotional State Symptoms | Symptom Dictionary Japanese phrases for Mental & Emotional State symptoms, with example sentences and audio.
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