Specialized Terminology: Mental Health Flashcards

Which term describes a clinical condition characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest, and reduced energy lasting at least two weeks?

Answer: Major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) requires at least two weeks of depressed mood or loss of interest, distinguishing it from shorter episodes or milder chronic conditions like dysthymia.

What does the abbreviation 'DSM' stand for in mental health settings?

Answer: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the standard classification system for mental health diagnoses in the U.S.

In psychiatry, 'psychosis' refers to:

Answer: A state in which a person loses contact with reality

Psychosis describes a condition in which a person experiences a break from reality, often involving hallucinations or delusions, rather than a mood or personality disturbance.

Which mental health condition is characterized by recurrent, unwanted intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety?

Answer: Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves obsessions (unwanted intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors) aimed at reducing distress caused by those thoughts.

The clinical term 'suicidal ideation' refers to:

Answer: Thoughts about ending one's own life

Suicidal ideation specifically refers to thoughts about suicide, which can range from passive wishes to die to active planning, and is distinct from a suicide attempt or non-suicidal self-injury.

A 'co-occurring disorder' in mental health treatment means:

Answer: A client simultaneously having two or more diagnoses

A co-occurring disorder (also called a dual diagnosis) means a person has two or more simultaneous conditions, such as a substance use disorder alongside a mood disorder.

Which term describes an extreme, irrational fear of a specific object or situation that leads to avoidance behavior?

Answer: Phobia

A phobia is an intense, irrational fear of a specific stimulus (object, situation, or activity) that causes significant distress and avoidance, distinguishing it from broader anxiety disorders.