HomeCategoriesMedicine & Health

Medicine & Health

Evidence-based definitions for medical conditions, treatments, drugs, anatomy, and public health — without the jargon.

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Total terms
10
Subcategories
2 min
Avg. read time
43 terms
A
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common mental health condition that affects how people focus, control their impulses, and manage their energy levels. It can impact daily life, including school, work, and relationships.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
A
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading individuals to restrict their food intake significantly. This condition can result in severe health complications and requires professional treatment to overcome.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
A
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, fear, or unease that can be mild or severe. It often occurs in response to stress or perceived danger, affecting daily life and mental health.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
A
Autism Spectrum Disorder
A developmental disorder that affects how a person thinks, interacts, and experiences the world. It is called a spectrum because it includes a wide range of symptoms and abilities.
BeginnerMental Health1 min
B
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder is a serious mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food in a short period, often accompanied by feelings of loss of control. It can lead to emotional distress and physical health issues. This disorder is different from regular overeating as it involves a psychological component.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
B
Bipolar Disorder
It is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These mood changes can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior, and the ability to think clearly.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
B
Borderline Personality Disorder
This mental health condition is characterized by intense emotions, unstable relationships, and a distorted sense of self. People with this disorder often experience rapid changes in mood and struggle with feelings of emptiness and fear of abandonment.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
B
Bulimia Nervosa
It is an eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by purging to prevent weight gain. Individuals with this condition often struggle with their body image and self-esteem.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
C
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of mental health treatment that helps people change negative thought patterns and behaviors. It focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions to improve emotional well-being.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
C
Crisis Intervention
Crisis intervention is a set of emergency psychological support techniques aimed at helping individuals in acute distress. It focuses on providing immediate assistance to stabilize a person's emotional state and connect them to further resources if necessary.
BeginnerMental Health1 min
D
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a type of talk therapy designed to help people manage their emotions and improve their relationships. It combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices to teach skills for coping with stress and emotional challenges.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
D
DSM-5
The DSM-5 is a manual used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental disorders. It provides standardized criteria and classifications to help ensure consistent and accurate diagnoses across different practitioners.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
D
Delusion
A delusion is a false belief that is strongly held despite evidence to the contrary. It often occurs in mental health disorders and can significantly impact a person's thoughts and behaviors.
BeginnerMental Health1 min
D
Dysthymia
It is a chronic form of depression that lasts for at least two years. People with dysthymia may feel sad or hopeless most of the time, but the symptoms are usually less severe than those of major depression.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
E
EMDR
A therapeutic approach known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. It uses guided eye movements to aid in the recollection of distressing memories, reducing their emotional impact.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
E
Eating Disorder
An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition that affects a person's relationship with food and body image. It can lead to unhealthy eating habits and significant health problems.
BeginnerMental Health1 min
E
Exposure Therapy
A form of therapy used to help people confront their fears in a controlled way. It aims to reduce anxiety by gradually exposing individuals to the things they fear or avoid.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
G
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
It is a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry about various aspects of life. This worry can interfere with daily activities and lead to physical symptoms like restlessness and fatigue.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
H
Hypomania
A state of hypomania is a milder form of mania characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and heightened activity. It often occurs in people with bipolar disorder and can lead to impulsive behaviors and poor decision-making.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
I
ICD-11
This is the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, which helps healthcare providers diagnose and treat various health conditions. It includes codes for mental health disorders and provides a standardized way to understand and communicate about these issues globally.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
M
Major Depressive Disorder
A mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities. It can affect daily functioning and overall quality of life.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
M
Mania
A state of heightened emotion, energy, and activity, mania is often associated with bipolar disorder. It can lead to impulsive behavior and impaired judgment, impacting daily life significantly.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
M
Mental Health
It refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how individuals think, feel, and act, and it also influences how they handle stress and relate to others.
BeginnerMental Health1 min
M
Mental Illness
A mental illness is a condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood. It can disrupt daily life and make it hard to cope with stress, relate to others, and make choices.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
M
Mindfulness
It is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment, without judgment. This can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
M
Mood Stabilizer
A mood stabilizer is a type of medication used to help control mood swings, especially in conditions like bipolar disorder. These drugs help keep a person's mood more stable and reduce extreme highs and lows.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
N
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
This condition is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. People with this disorder often believe they are superior and may exploit relationships to meet their own needs.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
O
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors. People with OCD often feel compelled to perform certain actions to reduce anxiety caused by these obsessions.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
P
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It can lead to severe anxiety, flashbacks, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
P
Panic Attack
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear or anxiety that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. These attacks can happen unexpectedly and may feel overwhelming, often causing individuals to fear future attacks.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
P
Panic Disorder
A mental health condition characterized by recurring and unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden periods of intense fear or discomfort. These attacks can lead to significant changes in behavior and may cause individuals to avoid situations where they fear an attack may occur.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
P
Phobia
A phobia is an intense, irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that leads to avoidance behavior. This fear is often disproportionate to the actual danger posed and can significantly impact a person's daily life.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
P
Psychiatrist vs Psychologist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication and treat mental health disorders, while a psychologist focuses on therapy and counseling to help people manage their mental health. Both professionals play important roles in mental health care but have different training and approaches.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
P
Psychoanalysis
A method of treating mental health issues, psychoanalysis focuses on exploring the unconscious mind to understand thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It often involves talking with a trained therapist to uncover hidden emotions and past experiences that influence current behavior.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
P
Psychosis
This condition involves a disconnection from reality, where a person may experience hallucinations or delusions. It can significantly affect thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, leading to distress and impairment in daily life.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
P
Psychotherapy
It is a type of treatment for mental health issues that involves talking with a trained therapist. The goal is to help people understand their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors to improve their mental well-being.
BeginnerMental Health1 min
R
Resilience
It is the ability to bounce back from difficult situations and adapt to challenges. This skill helps people cope with stress and recover from setbacks, making it a key aspect of mental health.
BeginnerMental Health1 min
S
Schizophrenia
It is a serious mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may experience delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking, which can disrupt their daily life.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
S
Social Anxiety
It is a common mental health condition where a person feels intense fear or anxiety in social situations. This can lead to avoiding interactions, which can affect daily life and relationships.
BeginnerMental Health1 min
S
Stigma (mental health)
Stigma in mental health refers to the negative attitudes and beliefs that society holds about individuals with mental health conditions. This stigma can lead to discrimination, social isolation, and a reluctance to seek help.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
S
Substance Use Disorder
A condition characterized by an individual's inability to control their use of substances like drugs or alcohol, leading to significant impairment or distress. It affects both physical health and mental well-being.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
S
Suicide Prevention
It refers to efforts aimed at reducing the risk of suicide by providing support, education, and resources to those in need. These initiatives can include counseling, hotlines, and community programs that promote mental wellness.
BeginnerMental Health2 min
T
Therapy
Therapy is a type of treatment aimed at helping individuals improve their mental health and emotional well-being. It involves talking to a trained professional who can provide support, guidance, and strategies to cope with various challenges.
BeginnerMental Health2 min