Psychology's Glossary
Psychology's Glossary
20 Mental health and disorders terms
I'm Jessica and I have been studying Psychology for 2 years in Montreal at Ahuntsic College. The human brain is fascinating, but complex to understand all of its illnesses and connections to our behaviors. This glossary can help students or other people to have a global introduction about mental health , disorders and some professionals in the field as a starting point to learn about psychology. It composes of 20 items that are linked with definitions and a French translation. MayoClinic.org , Merriam Webster and MedicineNet.com are the sources used in this glossary. The method of research is to write down each term on Google and then, I selected a definition on one of the three sources I already presented. Now, I hope that you will read it all and have a better representation of what is psychology.
- abnormal behavior
- Behavior is considered abnormal when it is atypical or out of the ordinary, consists of undesirable behavior, and results in impairment in the individual's functioning.
- fr: comportement anormal
- anorexia
- An emotional disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat.
- fr: anorexie
- anxiety disorders
- Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).
- fr: troubles anxieux
- autism spectrum disorder
- Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior.
- fr: trouble du spectre de l'autisme
- bipolar disorders
- Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
- fr: troubles bipolaires
- brain domage
- Neurotrauma, brain damage or brain injury (BI) is the destruction or degeneration of brain cells. Brain injuries occur due to a wide range of internal and external factors. In general, brain damage refers to significant, undiscriminating trauma-induced damage, while neurotoxicity typically refers to selective, chemically induced neuron damage.
- fr: dommages cérébraux
- depression
- Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
- fr: dépression
- diagnostic
- A device or substance used for the analysis or detection of diseases or other medical conditions.
- fr: diagnostique
- insomnia
- Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. You may still feel tired when you wake up.
- fr: Insomnie
- mental disorder
- A mental disorder, also called a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning.
- fr: Problème mental
- mental health
- Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
- fr: santé mentale
- obsessive-compulsive disorder ( OCD )
- Someone with OCD feels invaded by uncontrolled and repetitive thoughts crossing their mind despite their desire or will. They are unable to stop having these thoughts even with the knowledge that they are senseless. These thoughts become obsessions.
- personality disorders
- A personality disorder is a type of mental disorder in which you have a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning and behaving. A person with a personality disorder has trouble perceiving and relating to situations and people.
- fr: troubles de la personnalité
- positive psychology
- Positive psychology is the study of the "good life", or the positive aspects of the human experience that make life worth living. As an art, it focuses on both individual and societal well-being.
- fr: psychologie positive
- psychiatrist
- A medical practitioner specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
- fr: psychiatre
- psychologist
- A person who specializes in the study of mind and behavior or in the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
- fr: psychologue
- psychotic symptom
- Psychosis is characterized by an impaired relationship with reality. It's a symptom of serious mental disorders.
- fr: symptôme psychotiques
- schizphrenia
- Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling.
- fr: schizofrénie
- socially acceptable
- Simply put, socially acceptable behavior is behavior that is accepted as normal or appropriate within a social culture or subculture.
- fr: socialement acceptable
- the diagnostics and statistical manuel of mental disorders ( DSM -5 )
- The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) is the product of more than 10 years of effort by hundreds of international experts in all aspects of mental health. Their dedication and hard work have yielded an authoritative volume that defines and classifies mental disorders in order to improve diagnoses, treatment, and research.