Information for the public
Glossary
- Advocate
- Antipsychotic
- Assessment
- Bipolar disorder
- Care coordinator
- Carers
- Carer's assessment
- Delirium tremens (or DTs)
- Delusions
- Dependent (often called 'addiction')
- Depression
- Detoxification
- Early intervention in psychosis service
- Family intervention
- Hallucinations
- Healthcare professional
- Incentives programme
- Mania/manic episode
- Mental Health Act
- Primary care
- Psychological therapy
- Schizophrenia
- Significant others
- Withdrawal symptoms
Glossary
Advocate
A person who can support patients in discussions with healthcare professionals to make sure that their wishes are made clear. Advocates may speak on a patient's behalf if they are not able to do so themselves. They will also make sure patients receive the information and level of care to which they are entitled.
Assessment
A meeting with a healthcare professional in which they ask questions about a person's physical and mental health, their family background and everyday life, to establish what the illness is, how severe it is and what treatments would suit them best.
Bipolar disorder
A serious mental illness in which a person has periods (or 'episodes') of mania and periods of depression. For this reason, it was once known as 'manic depression'.
Care coordinator
A professional (usually a nurse, social worker or occupational therapist) who will make sure that a person who is being treated by more than one healthcare professional or service receives all the care and support they need according to their care plan.
Carers
People who provide regular and substantial care to a person with a mental and/or physical health problem.
Carer's assessment
An assessment by social services of a carer's physical and mental health and their needs in their role as a carer. Every person aged 16 years and older who cares for someone on a regular basis has the right to request such an assessment. There should be a written carer's plan, which is given to the carer.
Delirium tremens (or DTs)
A sign of alcohol withdrawal, which can include hallucinations and feeling shaky, agitated, disorientated and confused.
Dependent (often called 'addiction')
Feeling a very strong desire to take drugs and/or drink alcohol and finding it difficult to stop or to take/drink less. Dependence on drugs and/or alcohol can mean a person loses interest in other things and will continue to take the drug and/or drink despite knowing about the harm it may be causing themselves and others.
Depression
A common mental health problem, the main symptoms of which are losing pleasure in things that were once enjoyable and losing interest in everyday activities and other people. Many people with bipolar disorder also have depression.
Detoxification
A treatment programme that helps a person to withdraw safely from drugs and alcohol. The treatment usually involves medication.
Early intervention in psychosis service
A service that provides early identification and treatment to people who have symptoms of psychosis.
Family intervention
A psychological treatment that helps families work together to support the person with psychosis and drug and/or alcohol use and to reduce stress in family members. It aims to help families develop communication, problem solving, information sharing and coping skills as well as increasing their knowledge and understanding of the person's condition.
Healthcare professional
A professional who provides treatment and care for health problems. For the treatment of psychosis and drug and/or alcohol use this may include a GP, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a nurse, social worker, occupational therapist or a drug and/or alcohol worker.
Incentives programme
A programme for people who use illegal drugs. The person is given a voucher or a privilege if they have a negative test, showing they have not used illegal drugs. Vouchers are worth a few pounds and can be exchanged for items that encourage a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. They increase in value after each negative test.
Mania/manic episode
Symptoms of bipolar disorder including elation (extreme happiness or feeling 'high'), irritability and over-confidence. A person having a manic episode may not need as much sleep as usual, and may take unnecessary risks, have racing thoughts, fidget, gesture, or talk a lot, and have poor concentration. If the episode is severe they might behave in an inappropriate way and upset others.
Mental Health Act
A law that allows a person with a mental health problem such as psychosis to be treated against their will, or without their agreement, if they are judged to be at serious risk to themselves or others. This is sometimes called 'being sectioned'. A person treated under the Mental Health Act will receive care in hospital where they can expect as much care and support as anyone else. People treated under the Mental Health Act have a legal right to appeal.
Primary care
A part of the healthcare service that includes GPs and mental health teams (such as mental health workers, mental health practitioners, and psychologists).
Psychological therapy
A treatment sometimes called a 'talking treatment' that involves meeting with a therapist to talk about feelings and thoughts and how these affect behaviour and wellbeing.
Schizophrenia
A serious mental illness that affects a person's mental state, including their thoughts, mood and behaviour. The main symptoms are hallucinations and delusions. Because of these symptoms the person may not be able to think clearly or concentrate. They may lose interest in things, lack motivation and become withdrawn from other people.