Psychiatry

Glossary of Mental Health Terms

Glossary of Terms – S

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

Schizo–affective disorder – concurrent symptoms of both schizophrenia and a mood disorder such as depression or mania.

Schizoid Personality Disorder – a personality disorder characterized by extreme shyness, aloofness, sensitivity and withdrawal to the point that normal functioning is impaired.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – A type of depression usually experienced in the winter in the northern hemisphere and related to the decline in daylight hours. . SAD affects 3 – 5 % of adults in Canada, with 4 times more women than men affected; it is characterized by a chronic depression, fatigue, and carbohydrate cravings, with regular onset in the fall and offset in the spring. See light therapy.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – a class of drugs introduced in the late 1980s used to treat depression and related disorders. SSRIs boost the levels of he neurotransmitter, serotonin, thereby increasing communication between cells or neurons in the brain. SSRIs have improved the treatment of depression because they are very effective and have fewer side–effects than older antidepressants.

Serotonin – One of the neurotransmitters, or brain chemicals, involved in depression.

Side effects – Effects of a drug treatment that are in addition to the desirable effects of that treatment. Side effects may, in rare instances, be considered favorable, but are more likely to be considered as unfavorable (physical effects such as nausea, headache, constipation, sexual dysfunction, etc. are commonly encountered). Side effects of treatment often are the cause of non–compliance, or discontinuing the therapy.

Sleep disorders - A group of conditions characterized by disturbance in the amount, quality, or timing of a person's sleep. They also include emotional and other problems that may be related to sleep. There are about seventy different sleep disorders grouped under four broad categories: problems with falling and staying asleep; problems with staying awake; problems with adhering to a regular sleep schedule; sleep-disruptive behaviors.

Social phobia – Also known as social anxiety disorder; characterized by unusual or intense anxiety associated with encounters with unfamiliar people or situations, or situations that may involve being watched by others such as speaking to a group, attending parties or business meetings.

Stressors – stimuli that cause stress. These stimuli may be any kind of visual auditory or tactile stimulus as well as internal, private stimuli such as thoughts or feelings.

Substitute decision maker (SDM) – Person who is appointed to decide on treatment for a patient who has been found incapable of consenting to or refusing treatment. If no relative is willing or able to be the SDM, an independent organization called the Public Guardian and Trustee will be made the SDM.

Support group – a group of people who have a common interest or situation, such as a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, who meet regularly to share ideas, feelings and community resource information.

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