The glossary of

mental health

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Sorted A-Z

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

A type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals accept their thoughts and feelings while also committing to behaviors that align with their values.

Active Participant

An individual who takes an active role in their own treatment and recovery process. This means that the person is engaged and invested in their mental health care and is actively working towards achieving their treatment goals.

Addiction

A compulsive and chronic disorder characterized by the need for continued use of a substance or behavior despite harmful consequences.

Anhedonia

A symptom commonly associated with depression characterized by a reduced ability to experience pleasure from activities that were once enjoyable.

Antipsychotic

A type of medication used to treat symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions.

Apology

A verbal or written expression of regret or remorse for words, actions, or behaviors that have caused harm, hurt, or distress to another person or oneself.

Arousal

The degree of activation or deactivation associated with an emotion. High arousal emotions are those that involve a heightened level of physiological activation, such as excitement, fear, or anger. Low arousal emotions, on the other hand, are those that involve a lower level of physiological activation, such as relaxation or boredom.

Avolition

A lack of motivation or inability to initiate and persist in goal-directed activities.

Behavioral Activation

A form of therapy that focuses on increasing engagement in positive activities to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

Behavioral Therapy

A type of therapy that focuses on changing negative or unhealthy behaviors and replacing them with positive ones.

Bipolar Disorder

A mental health disorder characterized by mood swings ranging from high (mania or hypomania) to low (depression).

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

A mental health disorder characterized by intense emotions, unstable relationships, and impulsive behaviors.

Burnout

A state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or chronic stress. It occurs when an individual feels overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands and expectations. Burnout is often associated with work-related stress, but it can also occur in other areas of life, such as caregiving, relationships, and personal goals.

Catastrophizing

The tendency to imagine and focus on the worst-case scenario in a situation.

Check-in

The practice of pausing and reflecting on one's thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the present moment. It involves taking a few minutes to tune in to one's inner state and to become aware of any emotions, physical sensations, or mental patterns that may be present.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of therapy that combines cognitive therapy (changing negative thoughts) and behavioral therapy (changing negative behaviors) to treat mental health disorders.

Cognitive Impairment

A condition that affects cognitive functioning, including memory, attention, and decision-making. Cognitive impairment can be a symptom of mental health disorders or a side effect of certain medications.

Cognitive Remediation Therapy

A form of therapy that aims to improve cognitive function in individuals with mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Comorbidity

The presence of more than one medical condition or disorder. In mental health, comorbidity often refers to the co-occurrence of multiple mental health disorders.

Counseling

A type of therapy that involves talking with a trained professional about issues related to mental health, personal growth, and overall well-being.

Death

Often associated with a range of emotions, such as fear, sadness, grief, and acceptance. People may experience these emotions when they contemplate their own mortality, or when they lose someone close to them. The feeling of death can also be influenced by cultural, religious, and personal beliefs about death and the afterlife.

Decide

To make a choice or come to a conclusion after considering different options or possibilities. It involves evaluating information, weighing the pros and cons, and selecting a course of action based on one's preferences, values, or goals.

Depression

A mental health disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest in activities.

Derealization

A sense of detachment from one's surroundings or a feeling that the world is not real.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

A type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals regulate their emotions, manage distress, and improve interpersonal relationships.

Dissociation

A disconnection between a person's thoughts, emotions, and actions. Dissociation can be a symptom of trauma or other mental health disorders.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

A mental health disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states.

Dual Diagnosis

The presence of both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder.

Dysthymia

A type of depression characterized by chronic low mood and a lack of enjoyment in life.

Eating Disorder

A mental health disorder characterized by abnormal eating habits, often leading to severe physical and mental health problems.

Efficacy

The ability of a treatment or intervention to produce a desired outcome.

Ego-Dystonic

Thoughts, impulses, or behaviors that are in conflict with a person's values, beliefs, or self-concept.

Emotional Regulation

The ability to manage and regulate one's emotions effectively. This involves being able to identify and understand one's own emotions, and then using strategies to manage and regulate those emotions in healthy and productive ways. Examples of emotional regulation strategies include deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, cognitive reappraisal, and problem-solving. Developing strong emotional regulation skills can help individuals better cope with stress, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve overall mental health and well-being.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of others.

Euphoria

A state of intense happiness, excitement, or well-being.

Eustress

Positive stress that can motivate and energize individuals to achieve their goals.

Excoriation

A compulsive skin-picking disorder that can result in significant physical and psychological harm.

Exposure Therapy

A type of therapy that involves gradually exposing individuals to feared situations or stimuli to help them overcome anxiety or trauma-related disorders.

Family Therapy

A type of therapy that involves family members in the therapeutic process to improve communication, solve problems, and strengthen relationships.

Free Association

A technique used in psychoanalytic therapy where individuals talk freely about their thoughts, feelings, and memories without censoring themselves.

Gestalt Therapy

A type of therapy that focuses on the present moment and helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Gratitude

A positive emotion and mindset of acknowledging and appreciating the good things in one's life, both big and small.

Grief

The emotional response to the loss of a loved one or significant life change.

Group Therapy

A type of therapy that involves a group of individuals with similar mental health concerns working together to support each other and solve problems.

Habit

A routine behavior or action that has become ingrained in a person's daily life through repetition and often performed subconsciously. Habits can be either positive or negative and can impact various aspects of a person's life, including physical health, emotional well-being, and productivity. Habits are formed when the brain associates a certain behavior with a specific cue, such as a time of day, a particular location, or a specific event. Over time, this association becomes automatic, and the behavior becomes a habit that is difficult to break.

Humanistic Therapy

A type of therapy that emphasizes the individual's unique experiences and personal growth.

Hypnosis

A technique used in therapy to induce a trance-like state where individuals are more open to suggestion and can access their subconscious mind.

Hypochondriasis

A mental health disorder characterized by excessive anxiety about having a serious illness or disease.

Hypomania

A less severe form of mania characterized by elevated or irritable mood and increased energy.

Inner Dialogue

The ongoing conversation that a person has with themselves in their mind. It is a natural and often unconscious process that involves the use of inner speech or self-talk.

Integrative Therapy

A type of therapy that combines different therapeutic approaches to treat mental health disorders.

Interpersonal Therapy

A type of therapy that focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and resolving communication problems.

Journaling

A therapeutic technique that involves writing down thoughts, emotions, and experiences to improve self-awareness and promote emotional healing.

Jungian Therapy

A type of therapy based on the work of Carl Jung, which emphasizes the importance of exploring the unconscious mind and its influence on behavior.

Ketamine Therapy

A type of therapy that uses low doses of ketamine to treat depression and other mental health disorders.

Kinesiology

A therapeutic technique that involves using muscle testing to identify and treat mental health and physical problems.

Life Coaching

A type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals achieve personal and professional goals.

Logotherapy

A type of therapy that focuses on finding meaning and purpose in life as a way to improve mental health and well-being.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness.

Mentalization

The ability to understand and interpret the mental states of oneself and others.

Microaggression

Subtle, often unconscious acts of discrimination or bias that can have a cumulative negative impact on individuals and groups.

Mindfulness

A therapeutic technique that involves being fully present and aware of one's thoughts, emotions, and sensations in the present moment.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

A form of mindfulness meditation that aims to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

Mood Stabilizer

A type of medication used to treat mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder.

Music Therapy

A type of therapy that uses music to promote emotional and physical healing.

Narrative Therapy

A type of therapy that helps individuals create new, empowering stories about their lives to overcome negative thought patterns and improve mental health.

Neuropsychology

The study of how brain structure and function influence behavior and mental processes, used in assessment and treatment of mental health disorders.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical in the brain that transmits signals between neurons. Imbalances in neurotransmitters have been linked to mental health disorders.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A mental health disorder characterized by repetitive, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors or rituals.

Occupational Therapy

A type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals achieve their daily living and work goals through physical, emotional, and cognitive rehabilitation.

Pain

Any unwanted or uncomfortable emotion, thought, or sensation that an individual experiences in their life. Pain is an inevitable aspect of reality and that individuals must learn to face and deal with it in order to achieve personal growth and development. The tools they present are designed to help individuals confront and transform their pain, enabling them to lead a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

Panic Disorder

A mental health disorder characterized by recurrent panic attacks and a fear of having more panic attacks.

Play Therapy

A type of therapy that uses play and creativity to help children express emotions and develop coping skills.

Positive Thinking

A mental attitude that involves focusing on the positive aspects of a situation, rather than dwelling on the negative. It is a way of interpreting and responding to events in a more optimistic and constructive manner. Positive thinking involves recognizing and acknowledging negative thoughts, but then consciously replacing them with positive ones.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health disorder that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Psychodynamic Therapy

A type of therapy that explores unconscious thoughts and past experiences to improve mental health and well-being.

Psychopharmacology

The study of the effects of medications on the brain and behavior. Psychopharmacology is often used in the treatment of mental health disorders.

Psychosis

A mental disorder characterized by a loss of contact with reality, including delusions and hallucinations.

Psychosomatic Disorder

A physical condition or symptom that is caused or exacerbated by psychological factors, such as stress or anxiety.

Quality of Life

The overall satisfaction and fulfillment one experiences in their life, used as a measure of mental health and well-being.

Quantum Psychology

A therapeutic approach that combines principles of quantum mechanics with psychology to promote self-awareness and emotional healing.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

A type of therapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns to improve mental health and well-being.

Relaxation Techniques

Therapeutic techniques that involve breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and other methods to reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Relive

To re-experience something from the past, often in vivid detail. This can refer to a wide range of experiences, such as memories of events, emotions, sensations, or even dreams.

Resilience

The ability to adapt and cope with stress and adversity. Resilience is an important factor in mental health and well-being.

Rumination

The tendency to obsessively dwell on negative thoughts and emotions.

SMART Goal

A specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goal that is used to guide the goal-setting process towards success.

Schema Therapy

A type of therapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative core beliefs and patterns of behavior that contribute to mental health disorders.

Schizoaffective Disorder

A mental health disorder characterized by symptoms of both schizophrenia and a mood disorder, such as depression or bipolar disorder.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

A mental health disorder characterized by odd or eccentric behaviors and beliefs.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A type of depression that occurs during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight.

Self-awareness

The ability to be conscious and aware of one's own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It involves having a clear understanding of one's own strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs, and being able to reflect on and regulate one's own emotions and behavior. Self-awareness is an important aspect of personal growth and development, as it enables individuals to understand their own needs and goals, make better decisions, and improve relationships with others. Developing self-awareness often involves engaging in self-reflection, seeking feedback from others, and practicing mindfulness techniques.

Self-care

Any intentional action taken to prioritize and maintain one's physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that is associated with mood regulation. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression and anxiety.

Social Anxiety Disorder

A mental health disorder characterized by excessive fear and anxiety in social situations.

Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)

A procedure used to treat symptoms of PTSD and other anxiety disorders by blocking a cluster of nerves in the neck.

Stigma

Negative attitudes and beliefs about mental illness and those who experience mental health challenges. Stigma can create barriers to accessing care and can contribute to feelings of shame and isolation.

Stress

A physiological and psychological response to a perceived threat, challenge, or demand. It is the body's way of responding to any situation that requires adaptation or change.

Struggle

A state of difficulty or challenge that a person experiences while trying to accomplish a task, achieve a goal, or deal with a problem or obstacle. Struggles can be physical, emotional, or mental in nature, and they often require significant effort, persistence, and determination to overcome.

Suicidality

A term used to describe thoughts, behaviors, and actions related to suicide.

Keep searching!

Rocky the raccoon mascot with a Hike blue backpack with an encouraging smile.

The Library of Resources

Check Out

Important Note

It is important to note that while the resources provided in this library can be helpful, they are not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health concerns or having thoughts of suicide, it is crucial to seek the help of a qualified mental health professional.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call your local emergency services or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) immediately. In the U.S., the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's shortcut number is 988.

Included in Profiles

Credits

Adam Doffiri

Anna Everhart

Matt Begnoche

Corey Moen