Medical Terms

The Limbic System

an organ system in the brain that is associated with thought, mood, and emotion

Hippocampus

creates long-term memories and learning

Thalamus

receives messages from sensory organs; processes these senses, relaying impulses to and from the cerebrum

Hypothalamus

responsible for sexual and behavioral functioning

Amygdala

responsible for both positive and negative emotions; events are processed for importance; Here, anxiety and fear may occur

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

chronic and excessive worrying that causes physical symptoms

Panic Attack

a sudden, unexpected sensation of fear in the absence of real danger, and unnecessary activation of the fight-or-flight response

Panic Disorder

fear of panic attacks

Phobias

persistent and irrational fear of a thing or situation that causes the individual to avoid the thing or situation

Social Anxiety Disorder

fear of situations where the person is afraid of being embarrassed or being evaluated negatively by others

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

a severe stress disorder that results from actual or threatened death or injury to the person or someone else

Adjustment Disorder

feelings of sadness or hopelessness after a stressful event

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

is characterized by a short attention span and impulsive behavior that is inappropriate for the child’s developmental age

Dyslexia

a type of learning disability characterized by an inability of the brain to process symbols correctly, leading to difficulty reading

Learning Disabilities

disorders in children of normal intelligence who have difficulty with specific skills, such as processing language or grasping mathematical concepts

Autism Spectrum Disorder

characterized by difficulty developing normal social relationships and communication skills

Bipolar Disorder

characterized by cycles of severe mood changes between mania and severe depression

Depression

characterized by sadness, changes in sleep, energy, and concentration, apathy, and inability to enjoy oneself

Anorexia Nervosa

characterized by a false perception of body appearance

Bulimia Nervosa

characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by purging

Psychotic Disorder

characterized by loss of contact with reality and deterioration of normal social functioning

Schizophrenia

characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical thought patterns, delusions, and hallucinations

Somatic Symptom Disorder

characterized by distress and excessive focus on physical complaints or symptoms

Illness Anxiety Disorder

characterized by recurring anxiety and worry about a potential physical illness

Alcoholism

chronic alcohol dependence with symptoms upon withdrawal

Insomnia

a prolonged abnormal inability to sleep

PHQ-9

Patient Health Questionnaire that measures nine diagnostic criteria for depression

GAD-7

Seven questions that assess for anxiety disorders

Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale

Assesses for ADHD

Rorschach Test

Assesses personality and emotional functioning

Outpatient

Care provided via telehealth or in an office setting

Intensive outpatient

Care is provided several times weekly as patients continue to live at home

Partial Hospitalization

Care is provided in a hospital setting several days a week, and return home in the evenings

Residential

Care is provided at a facility but without full-time medical care

Inpatient

Care is provided either voluntarily or involuntarily in the hospital setting

Acrophobia

an excessive fear of heights

Affect

the outward appearance of a person’s mood

Agoraphobia

an excessive fear of environments where a panic attack may occur

Anxiolytic drug

medication administered to temporarily relieve anxiety

Claustrophobia

excessive fear of being in small spaces

Delirium tremens

sudden severe mental changes and seizures as a result of stopping the use of alcohol

Delusion

personal belief that is false, but maintained despite evidence to the contrary

Electroconvulsive theapy

a procedure in which small electric currents are passed through the brain to reverse symptoms of certain mental illnesses

Hallucination

a sensory perception that is experienced despite the lack of a stimulus

Naroclepsy

a sleep disorder causing sudden and uncontrollable, but brief, episodes of falling asleep during the day

Paranoia

intense anxiety due to persistent mistrust and suspicion of someone or something

Phobia

a persistent, irrational fear of a thing or situation that causes significance distress and avoidance of the thing or situation

Psychiatrist

a specialist who diagnoses and treats mental health disorders, chemical dependencies, and emotional problems

Psychology

the scientific study of the mind

Psychopharmacology

drug therapy for mental health disorders

psychosis

a disturbed thought pattern that makes it difficult for a person to distinguish real from not real

psychotic disorder

a state of loss of contact with reality and deterioration of normal social functioning

psychotropic drug

medication producing temporary changes in mind, emotion, and behavior

Schizophrenia

a psychotic disorder usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations and potentially accompanied by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances