Glossary

Medication used to treat symptoms of depression or anxiety disorders. It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks for an antidepressant to work toward treating depression symptoms.

Medication used to treat psychosis. These drugs are also sometimes used to treat mood swings or extreme behaviors such as aggression.

This is a type of personality disorder that begins in childhood or early adolescence. Common terms for antisocial personality disorder are sociopath or psychopath. People with this disorder will often harm others without feeling guilt, remorse, or sympathy.

A condition characterized by feelings of apprehension about anticipated dangerous or unfortunate events. These feelings often lead to physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, muscle tension, headaches, dry mouth, and feeling like you can’t breathe.

This is a disorder characterized by an emotional state of fear, worry, or apprehension. Some examples of this disorder include panic attacks and phobias.

This is a behavioral disorder characterized by inattention and impulsivity/hyperactivity. Inattention may include difficulty concentrating and inability to listen and complete tasks. Impulsivity includes symptoms such as impatience, restlessness, and an inability to stay in one place.

This is a disorder characterized by difficulty with communication and social interaction. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. Symptoms are usually seen within the first two years of a child’s life. As a spectrum, there is a wide range of symptoms and severity. Children who are high functioning with less severe symptoms can lead normal or near normal lives. Others with more severe symptoms may not be able to live independently.

This type of therapy identifies unhealthy and self-destructive behaviors. The therapy uses conditioning to change these behaviors and focuses on the behavior rather than the underlying cause of it.

This is a mood disorder. People with the disorder have experienced at least one full depressive episode and one manic episode. The first episode, usually depression, is usually seen before age 25. The disorder can be treated effectively with medication and psychological treatment.

This disorder is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with a perceived defect in one’s physical appearance.

This is a personality disorder in which people can have a long-term pattern of mood instability, problems with inter-personal relationships, and poor self-image—with intense displays of anger, depression, and anxiety that may last from a few hours to days. The episodes can happen in response to stress or on their own. People with this disorder can have volatile relationships and self-harming behaviors that can lead to aggression, self-injury, or substance abuse.

A type of eating disorder characterized by recurring binge-eating episodes, including uncontrollably eating abnormally large quantities of food. This binge-eating is followed by self-induced vomiting, misusing laxatives, or excessive exercise.

This is often used to describe a disorder that lasts for years or more and gets worse over time.

A mental health professional who is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders.

A form of psychotherapy to treat various mental health disorders. The focus is on changing the person’s thoughts and behaviors to help reduce the symptoms and increase their ability to function.

Refers to more than one illness, disease, or disorder occurring at the same time in someone.

This is a behavioral or emotional issue characterized by the violation of others’ basic rights and an inability to adhere to age-appropriate social standards. People with this disorder are often callous and lack any feelings of guilt over their behavior. Some of the behaviors associated with the disorder are lying, theft, arson, cruelty to animals, and aggression.

A psychological strategy or adaptation used to decrease tension or anxiety in stressful situations. Psychological treatment often focuses on getting rid of any harmful coping mechanisms—such as overuse of drugs or alcohol.

A negative state of being ranging from feelings of sadness or discontentment to feelings of extreme sadness, pessimism, and the desire to self-harm. Depression is a symptom of a variety of mental health disorders. It interferes with daily functioning and can include changes in eating habits, lack of energy or motivation, changes in sleep patterns, difficulty in concentrating or making decisions, and withdrawal from social activities.

This is the process of identifying the nature of an illness or disorder by examination of the symptoms with assessment techniques such as tests and examinations.

Refers to the diagnosis of two separate disorders that occur at the same me in one person—for example, depression and substance use disorder existing together in the same person.

A feeling of intense happiness or excitement and an increased sense of well-being. Exaggerated euphoria is a common symptom of a manic or hypomanic episode.

A type of therapy focused on improving relationships and behavioral patterns within a family and the people in the family. Various forms of treatment and models of therapy are used in family therapy.

A disorder characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various things, including current events, finances, appearance, health, activities of friends and family, work, and school. Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue. People diagnosed with GAD have difficulty controlling their worry and usually experience the symptoms for six months or longer.

A type of therapy characterized by mental and emotional interaction between two or more participants. This type of therapy focuses on participant interaction, with one or more therapists facilitating it. The goal is to create a supportive and encouraging environment and, ultimately, help patients develop self-respect and self-understanding and improve their interpersonal relationship skills.

Sensory experiences that appear to be real but are created in the mind. The most common hallucinations are auditory (hearing things that aren’t there) and visual (seeing things that aren’t there). Hallucinations usually occur as a symptom of a psychotic disorder like schizophrenia, but can also occur due to the use of substances, neurological abnormalities, and other conditions.

In general, this is any action taken to interfere with a process and usually takes place in the presence of a mental health professional. In an intervention, an individual’s loved ones express their concerns regarding an individual’s behavior or condition. The end goal of an intervention is for the individual to seek treatment immediately. If the client refuses to seek treatment, participants share their interpersonal consequences for this decision.

This is a legal procedure used to confine someone with a serious mental illness to a mental health facility. Involuntarily hospitalized individuals are considered a danger to themselves or others and may not recognize their need for treatment or understand the severity of their illness. They also may not be able to survive without this medical attention.

This is a mood disorder characterized by the symptoms of a major depressive episode. These symptoms include persistent sadness, lack of interest in once enjoyable activities, changes in appetite or weight, sleep problems, feelings of worthlessness, suicidal ideation, and attempted suicide.

An episode characterized by an elevated or irritable mood, restlessness, talkativeness, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, a decreased need for sleep, engagement in risky behaviors, and a tendency to be more easily distracted. Manic episodes last at least a week. Someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder will experience one or more manic episodes.

A mental health professional who provides independent services or works as a part of a treatment team. Mental health counselors primarily work with those who experience emotional or behavioral issues.

This is any disorder characterized by prolonged and pervasive emotional disturbances. Mood disorders include bipolar disorders and depressive disorders including major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

These are medicines used to help normalize mood. They are usually used to treat bipolar disorder. Some of these are: lithium, valproate, and carbamezapine. Some of these medicines are also commonly used in the treatment of epilepsy.

This disorder is characterized by a long-term pattern of an inflated sense of self-importance, talent, and achievements; a need for excessive attention and admiration; a lack of empathy for other people and a tendency to take advantage of others and feel entitled to special favors; and either indifference or feelings of rage and humiliation in response to criticism.

A persistent and disturbing preoccupation in an idea, image, or impulse that is intrusive or inappropriate. Obsessions cannot be controlled and can lead to anxiety, distress, or discomfort. Obsessions include thoughts about contamination, a desire to maintain things in a particular order, and persistent doubt. Individuals often try to neutralize obsessions with compulsive behavior.

This disorder is characterized by persistent preoccupations or obsessions which prompt the performance of a neutralizing behavior or compulsion. Obsessions often involve preoccupations with contamination, dirt, illness, or doubts about performing specific actions. Compulsions often manifest in the form of repetitive cleaning, checking, ordering, repeating, and hoarding.

A sudden and intense feeling of apprehension and fearfulness without the presence of any actual danger. Symptoms include heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, chest pain or discomfort, choking or smothering sensations, sweating, and dizziness. Panic attacks may occur in the context of anxiety disorders, other mental disorders, or general medical conditions.

This is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. These panic attacks are associated with concern of having another attack, worry related to the consequences of an attack, and behavioral changes related to the attacks.

This is a general term for a group of behavioral disorders characterized by lifelong behavior patterns. People with personality disorders don’t adjust or function well in changing social environments. Signs of these patterns may include poor judgment, emotional control, impulse control, relationship functioning, etc.

PTSD is a disorder characterized by feelings of fear, terror, or hopelessness triggered by experiencing or witnessing an event that the individual believes to be a threat to life, physical well-being, and safety. Symptoms of PTSD can include re-experiencing the traumatic event through recollections, flashbacks, or nightmares; chronic physical arousal leading to an exaggerated startle response, disturbed sleep, difficulties concentrating or remembering, and survivor guilt; and disinterest in activities and feelings of detachment from others.

This is a forecast of the severity, duration, and outcome of a condition, disease, or disorder. A medical professional can give a prognosis before treatment so that patients and their caregivers can make a knowledgeable selection of different treatment options.

A psychiatrist is a medical practitioner specializing in the study, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of personality, mental, and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists complete four years of medical school—the last two years of which is spent studying with physicians—and four years of residency in a hospital or agency approved by the American Medical Association.

A psychologist has been trained in an area of psychology at a university or school of professional psychology and has a doctoral degree in philosophy (Ph.D.), psychology (PsyD), or education (EdD). Psychologists may work in various areas including  schools, social agencies, hospitals, and clinics.

A mental state in which reality is experienced in a different way than other people. It’s characterized by disruptions in perception, cognition, cognitive processing, and emotions. As a result of these disruptions, an individual in psychosis may experience delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech.

A type of treatment for emotional, behavioral, personality, and other psychiatric disorders based mainly on person-to-person communication. In psychotherapy, a professionally trained and licensed mental health professional uses different forms of communication and interaction to assess, diagnose, and treat adverse emotional reactions, thought processes, and behaviors.

This is a type of therapy using recreational activities as a part of rehabilitation or therapeutic processes for someone with a physical or psychological illness. Recreational activities used in this kind of therapy include arts and crafts, sports, games, and group outings.

A psychotic disorder characterized by an abnormal interpretation of reality due to cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disturbances. Schizophrenia usually starts between the late teens and mid-thirties. People who have schizophrenia experience delusions and hallucinations (psychotic symptoms) and many other problems that can make day-to-day living difficult. While schizophrenia runs in families, some people can get it without a family history of the disorder.

Any injury that a person inflicts on themselves without the intent to die. Examples of self-harming behaviors include burning or cutting following an emotionally upsetting event, as a method of manipulation or threat, or as a way of solving a problem.

An anxiety disorder that can be diagnosed in children which makes it very hard for them to be away from their parent or caregiver. People with separation anxiety disorder can be helped with psychological treatment.

This is an anxiety disorder regarding the fear of having to be in social situations. A person with social anxiety disorder avoids situations that make them feel anxious. Examples include, the fear of public speaking, the fear of going to a party because other people are “judging” them, and performing in front of other people.

Attaching negative qualities to mental disorders (for example, thinking people with a mental disorder are dangerous). Stigma is a strong force and is harmful in that it may keep people from talking about their disorder, getting help, or receiving treatment. It can create a false image of what mental disorders are and may force people to limit their social interactions, work, education, or to not seek help if they have a mental disorder. It can also cause discrimination and exclusion of people with mental illnesses.

A group of medications that improve various aspects of brain function, such as: alertness, concentration, elevated mood, wakefulness, and decreased appetite. They are often used to treat ADHD. Large doses of stimulants can cause anxiety, panic, seizures, headaches, stomach cramps, aggression, and paranoia.

Death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to kill oneself. Suicide often occurs during a major depressive episode. It can also happen as a result of a substance use disorder or another psychiatric disorder.

An attempt to kill oneself that does not result in death.

This is a preoccupation with thoughts, images, or fantasies about killing oneself. Most individuals who experience suicidal ideations do not attempt suicide.

The process in which a vulnerable person is provided advice, support, and assistance by their caregivers or support network so they can make and communicate their own decisions.

A trained professional who practices and is skilled in a particular kind of therapy to treat mental or physical diseases or disorders. A therapist may sometimes also be referred to as a psychotherapist in mental health.

A stimulus that affects one’s emotional state by causing extreme distress or a feeling of being overwhelmed. An example of a trigger is a memory that brings up uncomfortable or upsetting feelings.

This is being admitted as a patient to a mental health unit for treatment (usually in a hospital) based on someone’s agreeing to be admitted. Someone who is voluntarily admitted is free to leave whenever they believe they are ready.