Glossary

Antipsychotics: A group of medications used to treat psychotic illnesses, first developed in the 1950s and 1960s. Newer antipsychotics developed in the 1990s are known as atypicals and have fewer side effects such as movement disorders.

Apathy: A symptom of several mental illnesses, apathy is a lack of emotion or interest in things one would ordinarily consider important.

Bipolar Disorder: Formerly referred to as manic depression, bipolar is a serious affective disorder, typically beginning in adolescence or early adulthood, in which dramatic swings between manic “highs” and depressed “lows” alternate with periods of normal mood.

Case Managers: Healthcare professionals who work directly with clients, coordinate various activities, and act as the clients’ primary contact. Case managers are often social workers or nurses.

Delusion: A symptom of many mental illnesses, a delusion is an illogical belief that is held strongly, even in the face of evidence that it is false.

Depression: A spectrum of affective disorders, ranging from passing sad moods to serious, crippling disease requiring medical treatment. A common negative symptom of schizophrenia.

Hallucination: A false distorted perception of objects of events, including sensations of sight, sound, taste, smell, or touch, typically accompanied by a powerful sense of their reality.

Manic Episode: The high moods which can make you feel overly happy, irritable or restless.

Mixed Episode: Having symptoms of acute manic episodes and depressive episodes at the same time.

Paranoia: A developing pattern of unfounded thoughts and fears, often based on misinterpretation of actual events. People with paranoia may consider themselves endowed with unique and superior abilities or may have the delusion that others are conspiring to do them harm.

Positive Symptoms: In schizophrenia, symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and agitation. These symptoms are called “positive” because the behavior adds to what is considered normal.

Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who has specialized in psychiatry, is qualified to diagnose and treat mental disorders such as schizophrenia, and is able to prescribe medications.

Psychologist: A non-medical professional possessing a doctorate who is qualified to diagnose and treat mental disorders such as schizophrenia, and perform psychological research, testing, and therapy.

Psychosis: A group of symptoms in major mental illness that include loss of contact with reality, breakdown of normal social functioning, and extreme personality changes. Psychotic episodes may be short-lived or chronic and worsening. People affected may experience hallucinations, delusions, regressive behavior, and an inability to control impulses.

Schizophrenia: A mental illness whose symptoms can sometimes make it hard for people to function and interact socially. For example, individuals with schizophrenia may not be able to think clearly, or may not know the difference between what is real and what is not real.