Glossary
This glossary provides some easy-to-understand definitions of commonly used mental health terms. As our site grows, we will continue to add terms to this glossary. If you don't see what you're looking for email us and we'll add it to our list.
Addiction
Added on July 02, 2010
The continued behaviour (e.g. using a substance such as alcohol) against the desire or attempts to refrain from the behaviour.
Agoraphobia
Added on July 02, 2010
The fear and avoidance of situations in which one would feel unsafe if they began to experience a panic attack.
Alogia
Added on August 06, 2010
Alogia: limited communication and withdrawal from social interaction.
Anxiety
Added on July 02, 2010
Is a negative mood, which is characterized by physical tension, and apprehension about the future.
Avolition
Added on August 06, 2010
Avolition: inability to complete tasks (ie. pay bills, buy something at the store)
Bexting
Added on July 02, 2010
This is where teens are using mobile devices to send text messages (SMS/txt) to a “bookie” to place bets.
Blunted Affect
Added on August 06, 2010
Blunted Affect: these individuals experience less sadness, joy or anger than most people
Clinical Trial
Added on July 02, 2010
A research study that tests a treatment (drug or other therapy) for effectiveness, safety and tolerability.These studies involve at least two groups of participants – one group receives the experimental treatment, and the other group receives a previously established effective treatment, a placebo treatment or no treatment at all. Clinical trials are also called controlled clinical trials (CCTs) or randomized controlled trials (when patients are randomly assigned to treatment and comparison groups.
Cognition
Added on July 02, 2010
The way one thinks and processes thoughts and information. For an example, memory is a part of cognition.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Added on July 02, 2010
A form of psychotherapy (talk therapy), which is tailored to treat various mental illnesses. It focuses on changing the patient’s thoughts and behaviours to reverse the symptoms and increase the patient’s functioning.
Delusion
Added on July 02, 2010
A disorder of thought content or a belief that something has occurred or will occur that is not real or within reality. Persistent false beliefs that are odd, exaggerated and/or irrational. For instance, ‘my brain is being turned to glass by ray guns operated from outer space enemies’
Depression
Added on July 02, 2010
A clinical term used to describe a mental illness which is characterized by depressed mood, loss of interest, change in sleep and weight or appetite, and other specific symptoms.
Diagnosis
Added on July 02, 2010
A description that classifies a medical or mental disorder or illness.
Disorganized speech and behaviour
Added on August 06, 2010
Disorganized speech and behaviour is often noticed when individuals make up words, put words together in random ways that aren’t comprehendible as sentences. Their behaviour may be all over the place, they are not productive at getting anything done.
Distress
Added on July 02, 2010
Distress always has a causal event, functional abilities are only affected mildly, will disappear with a change in the environment, and professional intervention is not usually necessary.
Evidence-Based Medicine
Added on July 02, 2010
Using best evidence in making decisions for the care of individual patients, involving everything from diagnosis to treatment.
Flattened Affect
Added on August 06, 2010
Flattened Affect: the expression of few emotions, which can include expressing the opposite emotion (ie. for instance laughing at death).
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Added on July 02, 2010
A mental illness, which is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry about a number of possible events (not any single, specific event) that leads to functional impairment.
