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Glossary of Terms |
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Affective Disorder
Formerly called mood disorder, affective disorder is the name for types of mental health problem that are characterized by extreme emotional responses and persistent mood disturbances. Bipolar disorder and depression are types of affective disorders.
Bipolar Disorders
Sometimes referred to as manic depression, bipolar disorder is a serious mental health problem, often beginning in adolescence or early adulthood, in which dramatic swings between manic "highs" and depressed "lows" alternate with periods of normal mood. See our factsheet on bipolar disorder..
Bulimia
Bulimia Nervosa is characterised by binge eating (eating large quantities of fattening food in a very short space of time) followed by compensatory behaviours such as self-induced vomiting in an attempt to avoid weight gain. Other purging methods e.g. use of laxatives, excessive exercise or fasting are also commonly used as ways to compensate for the effects of binge eating.
This chaotic pattern of binging and purging can become a vicious cycle that dominates a person’s life. Unlike people with anorexia, people with bulimia usually manage to keep their weight within normal limits.
Children And Young People
Children and young people have their own unique concerns when it comes to stigma around mental ill health. Issues of young people who have mental health problems and those who live with or care for somebody who experiences mental ill health are very much in need of highlighting. In the coming year, see me will be developing a children and young people strand to highlight some of the stigma issues here. See the links section for other sources of information.
Delusion
A symptom of many mental health problems, a delusion is a false but unshakeable belief that is not shared by others from the same cultural group but is real to the individual.
Depression
Depression is a term that covers a broad range of psychological distress. In its mildest form, depression can cause lowered mood, which does not stop someone leading a normal life, but makes everything harder to do and seem less worthwhile. As it’s most severe, depression can be life threatening because of the risk of suicide. Depression is much misunderstood by the public. It is not the same as felling a little sad or ‘blue’. The wide range of physical and psychological symptoms that people experience can make depression hard to recognise and understand. Describing someone as ‘depressive’ is derogatory. People usually experience episodes of depression, they should not be defined by the label.
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (1995)
The DDA is a piece of UK wide legislation that safeguards the rights of disabled people in accessing employment, goods and services and education. Mental health problems are included in the law provided they are “clinically recognised, and have a substantial, long term and adverse affect on the individuals ability to carry out day to day tasks.” For more information on the DDA, look at our links section or our discrimination factsheet.
Employers and the Workplace
Mental health is one of the most important issues facing employers and employees. Taking and keeping a job has consistently been shown as a key life goal, and the confidence and self esteem employment provides is key to emotional wellbeing. A workplace that promotes good mental health achieves more through greater morale and productivity. Even given the powerful evidence that mental health problems in the workplace impair the success of those workplaces through days lost, stress or staff turnover, the stigma surrounding mental health issues in Scottish workplaces is rife. ‘see me’ will be developing a strand for employers and the workplace in the coming year.
Good Mental Health
Good mental health is every bit as important as good physical health. Like physical health, a person’s mental health can be undermined and damaged by a whole range of different factors. Promotion of good mental health and provision of support for people who do experience mental health problems has now been placed in the top three priorities for the NHS in Scotland, together with cancer and heart disease.
Everyone has a part to play in safeguarding their own mental health and that of those around them - in the family, in the community, at school or in the workplace. Whether it be helping children to grow up into confident adults or fostering a mentally healthy workforce, promoting good mental health should be a priority for us all.
Mental Health Problems
Anyone can experience mental health in the course of our lives. It is important to recognise that there is a difference between short-term worries and more serious problems which interfere with daily living and which may require specialist help.
Getting help at an early stage improves individuals’ chances of recovery – and most people do recover. People with serious and long-term problems need the right support to enable them to manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.
There are many sources of support available. See our Links page for websites and organisations offering more help and information.
Psychosis
Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality, typically including delusions and hallucinations The term should never be used as a general description of someone with mental health problems.
Recovery
70-80% of people who experience mental health problems will recover. Recovery can mean different things to different people. For many individuals it means that they are able to regain a quality of life that is satisfying, hopeful and contributory, even with limitations that can be caused by their mental health problem or as a side effect of medication. Recovery is about much more than the traditional concept of medical recovery. It is about the development of coping skills, self-management and the ability for people to have a quality of life and a degree of independence/choice. Individuals may not return to the life they led prior to the onset of their mental health problem but the may lead full and productive lives.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health problem, which can manifest itself in a number of ways. Commons experiences of schizophrenia may include hallucinations (usually auditory but can affect four senses - auditory, visual, olfactory and taste), delusions, disturbances of thought and communication, or withdrawal. Not everyone diagnosed with schizophrenia will experience all of these symptoms.
Self harm
Self-harm is a term used to describe the taking of deliberate action to hurt oneself, without the intention to take one’ve feeling about their life situation and their personal health, both physical and mental. You can have a physical illness, injury or mental health problem or illness and still have a sense of wellbeing.
Self-management
Self-management is used to describe an approach by a person with a mental health problem to taking control of their own recovery. This term was pioneered by the Manic Depression Fellowship. They have developed a detailed programme of training for people with bipolar disorders, involving monitoring moods and developing advanced statements.
Service user
Service user is a term used to describe people who are in contact with mental health services. It is a term used by both professionals involved in providing services, and, to an extent, people with mental health problems who are active in getting their voice heard in planning services and representation.
Wellbeing
A person's sense of positive feeling about their life situation and their personal health, both physical and mental. You can have a physical illness, injury or mental health problem or illness and still have a sense of wellbeing.
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