Psychiatry

Glossary of Mental Health Terms

Glossary of Terms – D

To view this glossary simply click on the corresponding letter below.

Please note – this is not an exhaustive list, but includes some fo the terminology commonly used in the assessment and treatment of mental illness. The terms in this glossary were derived from the medical glossary of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and are used with the Centre's permission

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Deep Brain Stimulation . – A surgical treatment for major depression that is used only when all other treatment strategies have failed. It involves the implantation of an electrode into specific brain areas related to the expression of mood. A external pacemaker delivers rhythmic minute electrical impulses to the electrode to produce the alleviation of the depressive symptoms.

Delusion – a false, fixed belief not shared by other people in the same culture; for example, a person may believe that his or her thoughts are controlled by outside forces. There are various types of delusions, such as paranoid (with feelings of suspicion) and grandiose (with feelings of excessive self–importance).

Dementia – A deteriorating mental state with a variety of causes, characterized by reduction of intellectual faculties, including memory, judgment and abstract thinking Sometimes accompanied by poor impulse control and/or personality change. Dementia may be progressive, reversible or static.

Depression – an episode characterized by a loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness and loss of interest in things that usually bring pleasure (food, sex, work, friends and entertainment). A depressed person may think often about death or suicide. Physicians diagnose depression when at least five of a group of symptoms including depressed mood and loss of interest have lasted for at least two weeks.

Detention order – A person on a detention order is still under the authority of the Ontario Review Board (ORB). Some people on detention orders have the privilege of living in the community. The psychiatrist and multidisciplinary team have the right to allow or deny any privilege listed on the disposition.

Disposition – A decision the Ontario Review Board (ORB) makes after having a hearing. A disposition details where a person must go, for example, which hospital, facility or doctor the person must remain connected to. A disposition also details what level of security the person will be subject to (maximum, medium or minimum) and the privileges and conditions that apply for the next year.

Diversion – Minor charges are dropped, or stayed, if the accused person agrees to follow an individually tailored treatment plan. The Crown decides whether an accused person will be diverted. The defense counsel, duty counsel and court support worker can help a person look into the possibility of diversion.

Dopamine – a type of neurotransmitter, or brain chemical, thought to be affected in a person with mental illness. Making dopamine more available is one way to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; blocking dopamine helps treat psychosis.

Dual diagnosis – A person who has both a mental illness and an intellectual disability (also known as a "developmental delay" or "mental retardation").

Dysthymia – A mood disorder related to depression, with many of the same symptoms. However, thoughts of suicide and death are typically absent, and the individual is usually able to function. Patients with dysthymic disorder typically have been depressed most of the day, on most days, for at least 2 years.

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