Psychiatry

Glossary of Mental Health Terms

Glossary of Terms – T

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

Tardive dyskinesia – a disorder in which the patient experiences involuntary movements of the tongue, face, eyes, mouth or jaw, Tardive dyskinesia can be a side–effect of the long term use of certain antipsychotic medications and is usually but not always reversible.

Thought disorder – a pattern of disordered thinking leading to disordered speech characterized by pressured speech i.e. speaking quickly and incessantly; flight of ideas, i.e. inability to complete a thought before switching to the next one; thought blocking; punning; or “word salad”. i.e. in appropraite combination of words to form sentences wiith no meaning.

Tourette's Syndrome – a disorder characterized by tics which are involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or vocalizations that occur repeatedly. (source Mayo Clinic.com)

Tranquillizer – a drug that calms and relieves anxiety

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) – a potential treatment for mood disorders currently undergoing evaluation. TMS stimulates brain cells through s magnetic field that passes through the skull. This treatment does not require any surgery and can be repeated daily until desired effect is achieved.

Treatment order – A time–limited order made by the court that permits people to be treated, even against their will. The purpose of a treatment order is to help make a person Fit to Stand Trial.

Trial – A formal proceeding to decide a case by a court of law. A verdict of guilty, not guilty or Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) will be determined at a trial.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) – A class of drugs used in the treatment of depression and other mood disorders. TCAs increase concentrations of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin, leaving more of these brain chemicals available for use. Over time, this helps restore normal function and lifts the feeling of depression. TCAs are very effective but have a higher incidence of side effects than the SSRI’s

Trigger – a situation or stimulus that can produce either mania or depression in a person who has already had an episode of bipolar illness. Stress, sleep loss, steroids and street drugs are some of the triggers for bipolar disorder.

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