Glossary of Mental
Health Terms
Health Terms
ADHD: ADHD is a developmental disease characterized by inattentiveness and distractibility, with or without associated hyperactivity. The American Psychiatric Association lists the three primary types of ADHD as inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and mixed.
Alcohol Disorder: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a medical condition marked by a decreased capacity to reduce or regulate alcohol use in the face of negative social, professional, or health effects. The terms “alcohol abuse,” “alcohol dependence,” “addiction,” and “alcoholism” are all used to describe disorders that are included in this category.
Anxiety: A group of mental health conditions known as anxiety disorders causes excessive trepidation, dread, apprehension, and concern. In addition to generating physical symptoms, this condition changes how a person behaves and processes emotions.
Autism: Developmental impairments collectively known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are brought on by variations in the brain. Autistism is characterized by difficulties with social skills and speech, repetitive activities, and non-verbal communication.
Bipolar Disorder: A condition characterized by periods of mood swings that range from manic highs to depressing lows. Although the precise origin of bipolar disorder is unknown, genetics, the environment, and changed brain chemistry may all be contributory factors.
Depression: Depression is a mental health condition that can range from moderate and transient to severe and persistent. While some people may only experience depression once, others may suffer from it in the longer term. Suicide can result from depression, but it can be avoided with the right help.
Dyslexia: Due to issues recognizing spoken sounds and understanding how they connect to letters and words, dyslexia is a learning impairment that makes it difficult to read (decoding). Dyslexia, sometimes known as a reading handicap, is brought on by individual variations in the language-processing regions of the brain.
Insomnia: Insomnia is a common disorder that can make it difficult for people to fall asleep or keep asleep. Those suffering from insomnia may also wake up too early and have trouble falling back asleep. When someone with insomnia wakes up, they could still feel worn out.
Prescribers: A person who is authorized to prescribe drugs and equipment by the relevant state professional and occupational licensing authority is referred to as a prescriber.
Postpartum Depression: Postpartum depression is the term for a particular type of depression that happens after giving birth. Emotional highs and lows, frequent crying, weariness, guilt, and concern are all symptoms of postpartum depression, which raises the likelihood of facing challenges in caring for the baby.
PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can be brought on by experiencing or seeing a horrific incident. Flashbacks, nightmares, excruciating anxiety, and uncontrolled thoughts about the incident are just some of the symptoms.
SPRAVATO® (esketamine): Adults with severe treatment-resistant depression can use the prescription nasal spray, SPRAVATO®, in conjunction with an oral antidepressant.
Therapists: The term “therapists” refers broadly to practitioners with the education and experience necessary to offer therapy and rehabilitation. It is frequently used to refer to psychologists, but it may also refer to a wide range of professionals, such as social workers, counselors, life coaches, and many more.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment in which brain nerve cells are stimulated with magnetic fields to alleviate the symptoms of depression. When other forms of therapy for depression have failed, TMS is frequently utilized.