Glossary
Plain-language definitions of mental health terms used across this site. Each definition is general educational content and not a clinical diagnosis or recommendation.
- Amygdala
- A small almond-shaped cluster of brain cells deep in the temporal lobe. It plays a central role in detecting potential threats and triggering rapid responses.
- Anxiety
- A felt state of activation and worry that varies from a normal human emotion to a clinical disorder. Anxiety becomes a clinical concern when it interferes with daily life.
- Autonomic Nervous System
- The part of the nervous system that controls automatic body functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion. It has two main branches: sympathetic (activating) and parasympathetic (settling).
- Board Certification
- A formal recognition that a physician has met the standards of a specialty board, including passing examinations and completing accredited training. Board certification is voluntary and is separate from state medical licensure.
- Cognitive Arousal
- The state of having an active, alert mind. Pre-sleep cognitive arousal is one of the strongest predictors of insomnia.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- An evidence-based therapy approach that helps people identify and modify unhelpful thinking and behavioral patterns. CBT is delivered by trained licensed clinicians.
- Cognitive Defusion
- A technique from acceptance and commitment therapy that helps a person put space between themselves and their thoughts, rather than treating each thought as a literal truth.
- Cortisol
- A hormone produced by the adrenal glands that follows a daily rhythm and rises in response to stress.
- Depression
- A clinical condition characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and other changes in sleep, appetite, energy, and concentration. Depression varies in severity and benefits from clinical evaluation.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- An evidence-based therapy approach combining cognitive techniques with mindfulness and emotion regulation skills.
- Evidence-Based
- Refers to approaches that have been studied in research and shown to be helpful for specific conditions. Evidence-based treatments are the standard in modern clinical care.
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
- An evidence-based therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder. It involves gradual exposure to feared situations or thoughts while preventing the compulsive response.
- High-Functioning Anxiety
- Not a formal diagnosis. A descriptive pattern in which a person experiences chronic anxiety while continuing to perform well in work and life. Often invisible to the people around them.
- Hypervigilance
- A state of elevated alertness to potential threats. The system stays in scan mode even when no specific danger is present.
- Intrusive Thoughts
- Unwanted thoughts that arrive without permission and often clash with a person's values. Common across the general population. When persistent and distressing, they can be a feature of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Medication Management
- The clinical process of evaluating, prescribing, monitoring, and adjusting psychiatric medications. Medication management requires a licensed prescriber. For plain-language information on specific psychiatric medications, see PsychiatryRx.org.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- A clinical condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce distress. Responds well to specific evidence-based approaches.
- Panic Attack
- A sudden episode of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by physical symptoms like racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, or feelings of unreality. Panic attacks can occur with or without a panic disorder diagnosis.
- Panic Disorder
- A clinical condition characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about future attacks.
- Parasympathetic Nervous System
- The branch of the autonomic nervous system that slows the heart, deepens breathing, and supports digestion, repair, and rest.
- Prefrontal Cortex
- The part of the brain behind the forehead involved in deliberate reasoning, decision-making, and impulse control. Engagement with the prefrontal cortex can be reduced during high-activation states.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- A clinical condition that can develop after exposure to traumatic events. Includes symptoms like intrusive memories, avoidance, changes in mood, and changes in arousal. Responds to specific evidence-based approaches.
- Psychiatrist
- A medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in mental health. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, diagnose conditions, and provide therapy.
- Rumination
- Repetitive, often unproductive thinking about the same topic. Rumination differs from reflection in that it loops without converging on a conclusion.
- SSRI
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. A class of antidepressant medication. For plain-language, psychiatrist-reviewed guides to specific SSRIs and other psychiatric medications, see PsychiatryRx.org.
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- The branch of the autonomic nervous system that activates the body for action, including raising heart rate and mobilizing energy.
- Telepsychiatry
- The delivery of psychiatric care through video, phone, or other remote technologies. Telepsychiatry outcomes are comparable to in-person care for most common conditions.
- Therapist
- A licensed mental health clinician who provides talk therapy. Therapists generally don't prescribe medication.
- Vagal Tone
- A measure of activity in the vagus nerve, which is part of the parasympathetic nervous system. Higher vagal tone is generally associated with better stress recovery.
- Vagus Nerve
- A major nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system, running from the brainstem through the body and influencing heart rate, digestion, and other functions.
This glossary is general educational reference and isn't a diagnostic tool. For any specific condition or symptom, please consult a licensed clinician.