Madness, the non-legal word for insanity, has been recognized throughout history in every known society. Some traditional cultures have turned to witch doctors or shamans to apply magic, herbal mixtures, or folk medicine to rid deranged persons of evil spirits or bizarre behavior, for example.

Is madness and insanity the same?

As nouns the difference between insanity and madness

is that insanity is the state of being insane; madness while madness is the state of being mad; insanity; mental disease.

What is your definition of madness or insanity?

Search the Definitions. all words any words phrase. insanity. n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality, cannot conduct her/his affairs due to psychosis, or is subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior.