Glossary

Evolutionary psychology - ttempts to explain mental and psychological traits—such as memory, perception, or language—as adaptations, that is, as the functional products of natural selection or sexual selection.

Mental illness - disorder of the mind where thought and/or behavior are abnormal and cause distress

Mental disorder - a psychological or behavioral pattern that occurs in an individual and is thought to cause distress or disability that is not expected as part of normal development or culture.

Mental disorder - significant behavioral or psychological pattern that occurs in an individual and is usually associated with distress, disability or increased risk of suffering.

Psychotherapy - The treatment of mental and emotional disorders through the use of psychological techniques designed to encourage communication of conflicts and insight into problems, with the goal being relief of symptoms, changes in behavior leading to improved social and vocational functioning, and personality growth.

Electroconvulsive therapy or ECT - is a controversial treatment in which a convulsion or seizure is produced by passing an electric current through the brain. ECT is primarily used for treatment-resistent depression and may also be prescribed for mania and schizophrenia.

Depression - a psychological disorder that affects a person's mood changes, physical functions and social interactions.

Serious mental illness (SMI) - sometimes used to refer to more severe and long-lasting disorder.

Mental retardation - A term used when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning and in skills such as communicating, taking care of him or herself, and social skills.