We've provided a very brief glossary of terms to help you understand the most common language used in mental health/illness materials. The terms below are complex and sometimes controversial in their definitions: these definitions are not meant to represent an entire mental health philosophy, profession, medical categorization, illness, or group of people. This lexicon is designed to provide you with a working knowledge of the most common terms used in the mental health literature.
Anorexia Nervosa- an eating disorder characterized by the inability to maintain adequate body weight, an intense fear of weight gain, and an unrealistic, negative body image.
Anxiety Disorders- symptoms of anxiety, including restlessness and nervousness, that are intensely present where there is no actual "danger."
Autism- a disorder that manifests before the age of 30 months, and more often seen in boys, characterized by withdrawal, cognitive deficits, language deficits, and/or self-stimulation.
Behavior Disorders- a general term used to classify people, most often children, who behave in extreme, "unacceptable," or unpredictable ways.
Bipolar Disorder- also sometimes called "manic depression" that is a serious mood disorder characterized by extreme swings between mania and depressions.
Bulimia- an eating disorder characterized by the compulsion to purge consumed food in order to lose weight due to an unrealistic, negative body image, or an intense fear of weight gain.
Compulsions- repetitive behaviors, or rituals, performed in order to get temporary relief from anxiety caused by obsessions.
Consumer- a general term now used to describe a person with a psychiatric disability, or mental illness.
Depression- a mood disorder involving extreme sadness, hopelessness, decreased functioning, apathy, anergia, and suicidal thoughts over an extended period of time.
Managed Care- corporations serving large groups of people to finance and deliver health care for a set fee using a network of physicians, and usually relying on healthcare "gatekeepers" to limit unnecessary services.
Mania- usually a symptom of bipolar disorder characterized by exaggerated affect and behavior, scattered tangential thoughts, a feeling of being "high," impulsivity, and/or over activity.
Psychiatric Disabilities- a general term used to describe any disability related to the area of a person's psychology or psychiatric well-being that could limit functioning, fulfillment, or full breadth of living. Also called "mental illness," "behavioral health disorder," "mental health disorder."
Psychiatrist- a physician who has completed a residency in the field of psychiatry and who can prescribe psychiatric medications and/or engage a client in the therapeutic process.
Psychoanalysis- an approach to psychology first developed by Sigmund Freud that encompasses both a theory of personality and a method of psychotherapy to uncover unconscious motives and conflicts.
Psychologist- a mental health professional who has received a doctoral degree in psychology with extensive training in clinical/therapeutic work.
Psychosis- characterized by distorted perceptions of reality, perhaps accompanied by hallucinations and delusions.
Psychotherapist- a person who practices psychotherapy as a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, social worker or other mental health professional.
Psychotherapy- sometimes called "talk therapy" used to address mental conflicts, problems, and difficulties by talking with a trained therapist.
Schizophrenia- a psychotic disorder characterized by a pattern of serious disturbances of thought and perception, emotions, and behavior.
Social Worker- a mental health professional who has earned a MSW degree and is trained particularly to appreciate the impact of environmental factors when providing therapeutic services.
The Online Dictionary of Mental Health
TherapistFinder Glossary of Mental Health and Disability Terms
SAMSHA's Glossary of Terms for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
About.com's Glossary of Psychiatry
Portland State University Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health Glossary
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