VII Glossary

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A type of psychotherapy that helps a person recognize distorted/negative thinking with the goal of changing thought and behaviors to respond to changes in a more positive manner.^[1]

Depressive episode: An episode where the person experiences a depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Several other symptoms are also present, which may include poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth, hopelessness about the future, thoughts about dying or suicide, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite or weight, and feeling especially tired or low in energy.

Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition: When a person experiences a persistent depressed mood or a significant loss of interest or pleasure in activities, and these symptoms are directly caused by a medical illness or condition.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): A medical treatment reserved for clients with severe major depression who have not responded to medications, psychotherapy, or other treatments. It involves a brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the client is under anesthesia.

Group therapy: A type of psychotherapy that brings people with similar disorders together in a supportive environment to learn how others cope in similar situations.^[2]

Hypertensive crisis: An acute rise and significantly elevated blood pressure, typically over 180/120 mm Hg, that causes acute end-organ damage such as stroke, myocardial infarction, or acute kidney damage. It can be caused by MAOIs, a class of antidepressants.

Latency: A delayed response to a question or comment.

Light therapy: Therapy for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) that involves sitting in front of a light therapy box that emits a very bright light. It usually requires 20 minutes or more per day, typically first thing in the morning during the winter months. Most people see some improvements from light therapy within one or two weeks of beginning treatment.

Major depressive episode: A period of at least two weeks during which a person experiences a persistently depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities, most of the day, nearly every day.

Perinatal depression: Depressive disorder that occurs during pregnancy.

Peristent depressive disorder: A chronic form of depression that is typically less severe in intensity than Major Depressive Disorder but lasts much longer.

Postpartum depression: Feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may make it difficult for mothers of newborns to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or for their babies. Severe postpartum depression can lead to postpartum psychosis.

Postpartum psychosis: Severe postpartum depression can cause delusions (thoughts or beliefs that are not true), hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or smelling things that are not there), mania (a high, elated mood that often seems out of touch with reality), paranoia, and confusion. Women who have postpartum psychosis are at risk for harming themselves or their child and should receive help as soon as possible by calling 911 or taking the mother to the emergency room.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): A severe and disabling form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that involves significant mood disturbances and physical symptoms occurring in the week or two before menstruation.

Rhabdomyolysis: Severe muscle breakdown which releases myoglobin into the bloodstream and subsequently clogging renal filtrations and causing kidney damage.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): A type of depression causing symptoms during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight and usually improves with the arrival of spring. SAD is more than just “winter blues.” The symptoms can be distressing and overwhelming and can interfere with daily functioning.^[3]

Serotonin syndrome: A medical emergency that can occur in clients taking medications that affect serotonin levels.

Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder: A type of depression that occurs as a direct result of using, misusing, or withdrawing from certain substances or medications.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): A noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression when other depression treatments haven’t been effective.