Mental Health Glossary

The outward expression of emotion, as observed by others through facial expression, tone of voice, and body language.

The inability to experience pleasure from activities normally found enjoyable. A core symptom of major depression.

A class of medications used to treat depression and other mental health conditions by modifying neurotransmitter activity in the brain.

A medication used to reduce anxiety. Includes benzodiazepines, buspirone, and certain antidepressants.

The emotional bond formed between a child and caregiver that shapes emotional development and future relationship patterns.

A mood disorder characterized by alternating episodes of mania or hypomania and depression.

A state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion, often accompanied by cynicism and reduced professional efficacy, resulting from prolonged workplace stress.

The simultaneous presence of two or more disorders or conditions in a single individual.

A fixed, false belief held despite evidence to the contrary. A positive symptom of psychotic disorders.

A disconnection between thoughts, feelings, surroundings, or actions. Can range from mild detachment to severe identity fragmentation.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision, used as the standard diagnostic reference for mental health clinicians.

A chronic form of depression lasting at least two years with less severe but more enduring symptoms than major depression.

A sensory perception that occurs without external stimulus. Can be auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory, or gustatory.

A state of heightened physiological and psychological alertness, including exaggerated startle response and difficulty sleeping. A symptom cluster of PTSD.

The International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision, published by the WHO. Used alongside or instead of the DSM in many countries for mental health diagnosis.

The process of providing patients with adequate information about a proposed treatment, including risks and benefits, to enable voluntary decision-making.

A state of abnormally elevated mood, energy, and activity. Characterized by grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, rapid speech, and impulsive behavior.

A chemical messenger that transmits signals between neurons. Key examples include serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA.

A condition characterized by persistent unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety.

The proportion of a population found to have a specific condition at a given time. Used to measure how common a mental health condition is.

A mental state involving a loss of contact with reality, typically featuring delusions and/or hallucinations.

The treatment of mental health conditions through verbal and psychological techniques, conducted by a trained professional.

A reduction in symptom severity to the point where diagnostic criteria are no longer met, though the individual may not be fully symptom-free.

Deliberate injury to oneself, often as a coping mechanism for emotional distress. Distinct from suicidal behavior, though it is a risk factor for suicide.

The collaborative, trusting relationship between therapist and client. Consistently identified as one of the strongest predictors of positive therapy outcomes.