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Mental Health Glossary

Simple, accessible definitions to help parents and caregivers understand the terms they encounter in their child's mental health journey.

Glossary of Terms

Designed to help parents and caregivers better understand commonly used psychological terms in a simple way.

A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T

A

Adaptive Functioning
Practical, everyday skills required to manage daily life, including communication, self-care, and social participation.
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
A neurodevelopmental condition marked by difficulty sustaining attention and focus, without the hyperactive symptoms seen in ADHD.
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
A common neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and sometimes hyperactivity, affecting school, home, and social functioning.
Adjustment Disorder
Emotional or behavioral responses to stressful events that are stronger than expected and cause significant distress or difficulty in daily life.
Adolescence
The developmental stage between childhood and adulthood involving rapid physical, emotional, and cognitive changes.
Affect
The outward expression of emotion observed through facial expression, tone, and behaviour.
Alogia
A reduced ability to speak or express thoughts, often seen in certain psychiatric conditions.
Anhedonia
Difficulty feeling pleasure or interest in activities that were previously enjoyable.
Anorexia Nervosa
An eating disorder marked by restricted food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image.
Anticonvulsant
Medications primarily used to control seizures; some are also effective in stabilizing mood disorders.
Antidepressant
Medication used to treat depression and certain anxiety disorders by balancing brain chemicals.
Antipsychotic
Medication used to treat symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, or severe mood disturbances.
Antisocial Personality Disorder
A pattern of disregarding the rights of others, often seen in older adolescents and adults.
Anxiety Disorders
A group of conditions involving excessive fear, worry, or avoidance that interfere with daily functioning.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
A therapy approach that uses structured techniques to teach skills and reduce challenging behaviors, often used for autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
A neurodevelopmental condition involving differences in social communication, behavior, and interests, with varying levels of support needs.
Avolition
Lack of motivation or ability to initiate and complete tasks.

B

Behavioral Activation
A therapy technique encouraging engagement in meaningful activities to improve mood and reduce depression.
Behavioral Therapy
Therapeutic approaches that focus on modifying observable behaviors and teaching new skills.
Benzodiazepines
Medications that reduce anxiety or help with sleep, usually prescribed short-term due to dependency risk.
Binge Eating
Eating large amounts of food in a short period, often accompanied by a sense of loss of control.
Bipolar Disorder
A mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of mania (high energy, impulsive behavior) and depression.
Bulimia Nervosa
An eating disorder involving episodes of overeating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise.

C

CD (Conduct Disorder)
A pattern of behavior where social rules or the rights of others are persistently violated.
Cognitive
Relating to thinking, learning, memory, and problem-solving skills.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
A therapy approach that helps children recognize and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
Comorbid
The presence of more than one disorder in the same individual at the same time.
Compulsion
Repetitive behaviors a person feels driven to perform, often to reduce anxiety or distress.
Congenital
Present from birth, usually referring to conditions caused by genetics or early development.

D

Depressive Episode
A period characterized by persistent sadness, low energy, and reduced interest in activities.
Developmental
Relating to the growth and progress of skills and abilities from childhood to adulthood.
Diagnosis
A professional identification of a condition based on symptoms, behaviors, and assessments.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
A therapy that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness and emotional regulation skills.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
A condition in children marked by severe temper outbursts and chronic irritability.
DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
The standard reference used by mental health professionals to classify and diagnose mental health conditions.
Dual Diagnosis
The presence of a mental health disorder alongside substance use or another medical condition.
Dyslexia
A learning disorder that affects reading, spelling, and sometimes writing, despite normal intelligence.

E

Eating Disorders
Conditions affecting eating behaviors, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating.
Enuresis
Recurrent urination during the day or night in a child old enough to control bladder function.
ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention)
A therapy method used to treat OCD by gradually facing feared situations and resisting compulsive responses.
Exposure Therapy
A technique that helps children confront fears in a safe and controlled way.

F

Family Therapy
Therapeutic sessions involving the whole family to improve communication and relationships.
Flattened Affect
A lack of emotional expression or response, sometimes seen in mood or psychotic disorders.

G

GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
A condition characterized by excessive worry about everyday matters.

I

IEP (Individualized Education Program)
A plan developed to provide children with special learning needs tailored support in school.
Insomnia
Difficulty falling or staying asleep, which can affect mood and cognitive function.
Interpersonal Therapy
A therapy approach that focuses on improving social relationships and communication.

L

Learning Disorder
A neurologically-based difficulty with acquiring academic skills like reading, writing, or math.

M

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
A serious mood disorder marked by prolonged sadness, loss of interest, and other functional impairments.
Mania / Manic Episode
A period of abnormally elevated mood, energy, or irritability, often seen in bipolar disorder.
Mood Disorders
Conditions that primarily affect a child's emotional state, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
Mood Stabilizer
Medication used to regulate mood swings in bipolar disorder or other conditions.

N

Neuropsychological Testing
Assessments that measure cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
Neurotransmitter
Chemicals in the brain that transmit messages between nerve cells, affecting mood, attention, and behavior.

O

Obsession
Repeated, unwanted thoughts that cause distress, often seen in OCD.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
A disorder involving unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions).
ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder)
A pattern of angry, defiant, or vindictive behavior toward authority figures.

P

Panic Attack / Panic Disorder
Sudden, intense fear or discomfort, sometimes accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
A therapy designed to improve communication and behavior between parent and child.
Pathological Demand Avoidance
A behavioral profile involving extreme avoidance of everyday demands and expectations.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A condition following trauma characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance, and heightened arousal.
Prognosis
The expected course or outcome of a condition.
Psychiatrist
A medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders.
Psychoeducation
Providing families and children with information to understand and manage conditions.
Psychologist
A professional trained to assess and support mental health through therapy and evaluation.
Psychosis
Severe mental disturbance involving a loss of contact with reality, including hallucinations or delusions.
Psychostimulants
Medications that increase attention and focus, often used in ADHD.

R

Reading Disorder
A learning disorder affecting the ability to read accurately or fluently.

S

Schizoaffective Disorder
A mental health condition featuring symptoms of both schizophrenia and mood disorders.
Schizophrenia
A serious psychiatric disorder affecting thinking, perception, and behavior.
School Refusal
Extreme anxiety or avoidance related to attending school, often associated with separation anxiety or social anxiety.
Selective Mutism (SM)
Consistent inability to speak in certain social situations despite normal ability in others.
SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)
Medication used to treat depression, anxiety, and related disorders.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Excessive fear or anxiety about being apart from primary caregivers.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Intense fear of social situations that can impair daily functioning.
Specific Phobia
Severe, persistent fear of a particular object or situation.
Substance Use Disorder
Patterns of using substances that cause harm or interfere with functioning.
Suicidal Ideation
Thoughts of ending one's own life, which require immediate attention.

T

Tic
A sudden, repetitive movement or sound that is difficult to control.
Tourette's Disorder
A condition involving multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic over time.
Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)
Therapy designed to help children process trauma and learn coping strategies.

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