<p>Schadenfreude is an emotion only the German language has a word for. Put simply it is a person enjoying someone else’s misfortune. It does not matter if its monetary, a divorce, a failed exam, or the person being yelled at by the boss… </p>

<p>Link Definition:<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schadenfreude" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schadenfreude</a></p>

<p>Definitely not a mental illness. (for details on mental illness see ICD-10 Fxx.xy. Link: <a href="http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/</a>) </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-12T09:04:03.607Z
2017-05-17T15:22:49.643Z
2017-05-17T15:22:49.643Z
HvG
<p>There are <a href="http://www.dictionary.com/browse/schadenfreude?s=t" rel="nofollow noreferrer">examples at dictionary.com</a> on uses of 'schadenfreude'.</p>

<p>But what is the correct way to describe a person that has/uses/suffers from schadenfreude as part of a personality disorder/mental illness?</p>

<p>She suffers from schadenfreude?
She's diagnosed with schadenfreude?
She delights in schadenfreude? (probably not as the word itself tells us of the delight)
She engages in schadenfreude?
She commits schadenfreude?</p>

<p>I've no idea how to describe someone's mental illness where the primary symptom of this illness is schadenfreude.</p>

<p>What is the correct way to say this?</p>

<p>Edit:</p>

<p>I see from the comments/answer that the question is wrong - I've asked correctly with more details here:
<a href="https://cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/17322/term-for-aspd-specific-for-causing-pain-to-others">Term for ASPD Specific for Causing Pain to Others</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-09T15:30:04.427Z
I don't think schadenfreude is an illness or something other you can suffer. The way I understand, it's simply being able to laugh about painful situation, such as slapstick humour
Robin Kramer-ten Have
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-09T16:13:37.223Z
Schadenfreude isn't a mental illness.  It's an emotion ("I feel schadenfreude").
mrt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-12T07:06:46.450Z
@mrt *et al*. Can one of the commenters turn their views into an answer? It's perfectly reasonable to explain the difference between an emotion and an illness and/or point OP to an incorrect question premise.
AliceD
<abnormal-psychology>
What's the correct way to use 'schadenfreude' to describe a person who has/uses/suffers from it?
Ken Alton
# What's the correct way to use 'schadenfreude' to describe a person who has/uses/suffers from it?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-05-09)

There are [examples at dictionary.com](http://www.dictionary.com/browse/schadenfreude?s=t) on uses of 'schadenfreude'.

But what is the correct way to describe a person that has/uses/suffers from schadenfreude as part of a personality disorder/mental illness?

She suffers from schadenfreude?
She's diagnosed with schadenfreude?
She delights in schadenfreude? (probably not as the word itself tells us of the delight)
She engages in schadenfreude?
She commits schadenfreude?

I've no idea how to describe someone's mental illness where the primary symptom of this illness is schadenfreude.

What is the correct way to say this?

Edit:

I see from the comments/answer that the question is wrong - I've asked correctly with more details here:
[Term for ASPD Specific for Causing Pain to Others](https://cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/17322/term-for-aspd-specific-for-causing-pain-to-others)

**Tags:** abnormal-psychology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I don't think schadenfreude is an illness or something other you can suffer. The way I understand, it's simply being able to laugh about painful situation, such as slapstick humour  
> **username_2**: Schadenfreude isn't a mental illness.  It's an emotion ("I feel schadenfreude").  
> **username_3**: @username_2 *et al*. Can one of the commenters turn their views into an answer? It's perfectly reasonable to explain the difference between an emotion and an illness and/or point OP to an incorrect question premise.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-05-12. Score: 1

Schadenfreude is an emotion only the German language has a word for. Put simply it is a person enjoying someone else’s misfortune. It does not matter if its monetary, a divorce, a failed exam, or the person being yelled at by the boss…

Link Definition:<https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schadenfreude>

Definitely not a mental illness. (for details on mental illness see ICD-10 Fxx.xy. Link: <http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/>)


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