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Mental Health Glossary​

Panic Attacks
  • discrete start and finish
  • intense, but typically last less than 30 minutes
  • symptoms include but are not limited to:
  • palpitations, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, fear of losing control or of dying, chills, hot flashes, etc.
  • can result in anxiety about where/when future panic attacks will occur

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • excessive, constant anxiety/worry about many things
  • very difficult to control or turn off the worry process
  • symptoms include but are not limited to:
  • restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance

Social Anxiety Disorder
  • extreme/irrational concern about being negatively evaluated by others
  • sometimes (but not always) manifests as shyness
  • may lead to avoidance of feared situations, or endurance but with extreme distress

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • obsessions = intrusive, anxiety-provoking thoughts
  • compulsions = behaviors that attempt to relieve anxiety
  • you want to stop thinking about the obsession but can’t
  • common types of obsessions
  • contamination, aggressive impulses, sexual content, somatic concerns, need for symmetry
  • common types of compulsions
  • checking, ordering/arranging, counting, washing

Depression
  • feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, difficulty making decisions, etc.
  • change in eating/sleeping patterns, energy loss, etc.
  • ​ex: may sleep much more than normal, shower infrequently
  • may result in anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), irritability, anger, acute sadness, etc
  • overall negative perception on life
  • tendency to blame self, believe that things will never get better, etc.

Bulimia
  • binging behavior à consuming extreme amounts of food during a discrete period of time
  • often takes place in secret
  • sense of being out of control
  • feelings of guilt or shame
  • compensatory behaviors à purging, fasting, starving, vomiting, excessive exercise, use of laxatives, etc.
  • do NOT have to throw up to have bulimia

Anorexia Nervosa
  • negative body evaluations AND a disturbance in self-perception
  • you may be very underweight, but not process it as such
  • intense fear of gaining weight
  • severe restriction of food intake
  • may result in an obsession with food
  • example: you cook but do not eat the food

Substance Related Disorders
  • substance taken in larger amounts or over longer period than intended
  • persistent desire to cut down or unsuccessful efforts
  • lots of time on activities related to obtaining, using, or recovering
  • strong cravings
  • may result in difficulties fulfilling obligations, social or interpersonal problems, etc.​

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • inattention
  • forgetfulness, zoning out, difficulties with organization, easily distracted, constant careless mistakes, failure to focus, etc.
  • hyperactivity
  • inability to sit still, excessive talking, difficulty waiting turns, constant interrupting, fidgety, etc.
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