Mental Health Definitions
Mental health is an essential part of overall well-being, influencing how we think, feel, cope with stress, relate to others, and make everyday decisions. Just as physical health can change over time, mental health can shift based on life experiences, relationships, trauma, and biological factors. Learning more about mental health is often a powerful first step toward understanding yourself and exploring supportive options for care.
Below, you will find a short list of common definitions from the mental health and wellness field. Our hopes is that you, armed with information, can make informative decisions about your mental health care.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural response to stress that involves feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear. While occasional anxiety is normal, for some people it can become overwhelming or persistent, interfering with daily life. Anxiety can manifest physically through symptoms like increased heart rate, sweating, or restlessness, and mentally as excessive worry or fear about situations that may or may not happen. Anxiety Anxiety is a natural response to stress that involves feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear. While occasional anxiety is normal, for some people it can become overwhelming or persistent, interfering with daily life. Anxiety can manifest physically through symptoms like increased heart rate, sweating, or restlessness, and mentally as excessive worry or fear about situations that may or may not happen.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition marked by extreme and often unpredictable mood swings. These include emotional highs known as mania-characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and impulsive behavior. And lows known as depression, involving feelings of sadness, low energy, and loss of interest. These mood episodes can affect a person’s ability to function and require management.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a widely used form of psychotherapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. By learning new coping strategies and ways of thinking, people can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, improving their emotional well-being.
Depression
Depression is a common mood disorder characterized by prolonged feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed. It often involves low energy, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, and can affect how a person thinks, feels, and functions in daily life. Depression is more than just feeling “down” and may require treatment to improve.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is a chronic mental health condition characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about everyday issues such as work, health, or finances. This worry is often disproportionate to the actual situation and lasts for months, causing physical symptoms like fatigue, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is a disorder where a person experiences persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that cause distress. To relieve the anxiety these thoughts bring, they perform repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions), such as excessive cleaning or checking. These rituals are time-consuming and can interfere with daily life.
Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder involves sudden, repeated episodes of intense fear known as panic attacks. These attacks may include symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, and feelings of losing control or impending doom. Panic disorder can lead to avoidance of situations where attacks might occur, significantly impacting life.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as combat, accidents, or violence. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. It can cause avoidance of reminders, emotional numbness, and heightened reactions to stress, significantly impacting daily functioning.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a treatment where individuals work with a trained mental health professional to explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It aims to help people understand and manage emotional difficulties, develop coping skills, and improve overall mental health. Different types of psychotherapy address various issues and needs.
Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, trauma, or significant stress. It involves adapting positively to challenges and maintaining mental well-being despite hardships. Resilient individuals can recover from setbacks and continue functioning effectively in their personal and professional lives.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there), delusions (false beliefs), disorganized thinking, and difficulty managing emotions and social interactions. It typically requires long-term treatment and support.
Stress
Stress is the body’s natural response to any demand, challenge, or threat. It can be physical, emotional, or mental and triggers a “fight or flight” reaction that prepares the body to respond. While short-term stress can motivate action, chronic or excessive stress can harm physical and mental health, leading to problems like anxiety or heart disease.
Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal ideation involves having thoughts about, considering, or planning suicide. It can range from fleeting thoughts to detailed plans and is often a symptom of underlying mental health issues like depression or trauma. It’s a critical sign that someone needs immediate support and intervention.
Stigma
Stigma refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, and discrimination directed toward people with mental health conditions. It can lead to shame, isolation, and reluctance to seek help, making recovery more difficult. Reducing stigma is essential for creating supportive environments where mental health can be openly discussed and treated.
Schedule a Therapy Appointment
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, you are not alone—and help is available. Therapy can provide tools, understanding, and support tailored to your individual needs. This page is designed to offer clear, approachable information to help you better understand mental health conditions and explore the therapy options that may support your journey toward healing and balance.
Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgable and compassionate therapists. (910) 298-6207