Common Mental Health Terms & What They Mean

Mental Health: Your overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Just like physical health, mental health requires care and attention.
- Example: “I focus on my mental health by practicing gratitude and getting enough sleep.”
Mental Illness: A condition that affects a person’s thinking, mood, or behavior in a way that disrupts daily life.
- Example: “Depression is a common mental illness that can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming.”

How can you tell if someone might be suffering from a mental health disorder?
Diagnosis is the process used to identify a mental health condition, and it is based on symptoms, a patient’s history, and an evaluation by a mental health professional.
An example might be a doctor diagnosing a person with Generalized Anxiety Disorder if they’ve had excessive worry for at least six months.
Symptoms are signs that may indicate someone is suffering from a mental health condition. They can be emotional, like feeling sad or irritable, cognitive, like difficulty focusing, physical, like fatigue or headaches, or behavioral, like withdrawal or impulsivity.
For instance, some of the symptoms of PTSD can be nightmares, flashbacks, or difficulty sleeping.

Treatment is the process of managing a mental health condition. This may include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of these approaches. An example would be “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is a treatment that helps people change negative thought patterns.”
Recovery is a lifelong journey toward better mental health. Recovery doesn’t always mean a condition disappears, but it involves learning to manage it effectively. An example of this would be “With proper support, people with bipolar disorder can lead healthy, fulfilling lives.”

Therapist/Counselor: A trained professional who helps people manage emotional, mental, and relational challenges.
- Example: “Seeing a therapist helped me work through my anxiety in a healthy way.”
Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist:
- A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication.
- A psychologist provides therapy and assessments but does not prescribe medication.
Christian Counseling: Therapy that integrates psychological principles with faith-based guidance.

Trauma: A distressing or disturbing experience that has a lasting impact on mental health.
Example: “Surviving a car accident can lead to trauma that affects how someone feels in a vehicle.”
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): A condition that occurs after experiencing a traumatic event, leading to flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional distress.
Triggers: Situations, words, or environments that cause someone to relive trauma or experience emotional distress.
Example: “Loud noises can be a trigger for someone who has experienced combat trauma.”

Anxiety: Persistent fear, worry, or nervousness that interferes with daily life.
- Example: “Social anxiety makes it hard for some people to feel comfortable in large crowds.”
Depression: A mental health condition marked by persistent sadness, loss of interest, and fatigue.
- Example: “Depression isn’t just feeling sad—it can make even daily tasks feel impossible.”

Addiction: A compulsive dependence on a substance (drugs, alcohol) or behavior (gambling, social media).
- Example: “Someone struggling with addiction may find it hard to stop using even when they want to.”
Withdrawal: The physical and emotional symptoms that occur when stopping an addictive substance.
Recovery Programs: Support systems like 12-step programs, therapy, and faith-based recovery groups that help individuals overcome addiction.

Suicidal Ideation: Thinking about, considering, or planning suicide.
- Example: “If someone expresses suicidal thoughts, it’s important to listen and help them seek support immediately.”
Crisis Intervention: Immediate support and action to prevent harm in a mental health emergency.
Self-Harm: Intentional injury to oneself as a way to cope with emotional distress.

Boundaries: The limits we set to protect our emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
- Example: “Setting boundaries with a toxic family member helped me feel more at peace.”
Self-Care: Intentional actions to maintain mental and emotional health, like prayer, rest, or therapy.
- Example: “Taking a walk outside every morning is part of my self-care routine.”