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Glossary of PTSD-Related Terms

Become familiar with all the PTSD-related terms that are important to know.

Hypomania

Learn the definition of hypomania.

Comorbidity

Learn the definition of comorbidity.

Experiential Avoidance

Learn the definition of experiential avoidance.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Learn the definition of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (or ACT).

Acute Stress Disorder

Learn the definition of acute stress disorder.

Anxiety Disorder

Learn the definition of anxiety disorder.

Anxiety Sensitivity

Learn the definition of anxiety sensitivity, a risk factor for PTSD.

Avoidance Symptoms

Learn about the avoidance symptoms of PTSD.

Beginner's Mind

Learn the definition of beginner's mind, an aspect of mindfulness.

Behavioral Activation

Learn the definition of behavioral activation

Benzodiazepine

Learn the definition of benzodiazepine.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Learn the definition of Borderline Personality Disorder

Caregiver Burden

Learn what caregiver burden is.

Chain Analysis

Learn the definition of chain analysis.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Learn the definition of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Complex PTSD

Learn the definition of Complex PTSD.

Compulsions

A compulsion is a type of behavior. Learn the definition of compulsion.

Consequence Modification

Learn what consequence modification is.

Defense Mechanism

Learn the definition of defense mechanism.

Deliberate Self-Harm

Learn the definition of deliberate self-harm or self-injury.

Depression

Learn the definition of depression.

Dissociation

Learn the definition of dissociation.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Dissociative identity disorder used to be known as multiple personality disorder. What exactly is dissociative identity disorder? Find out here.

DSM-IV

Learn the definition for the term DSM-IV.

Eating Disorders

Learn what disorders are considered eating disorders.

Emotional Avoidance

Find out the definition of emotion avoidance here.

Emotional Numbing Symptoms

Learn more about the emotional numbing symptoms of PTSD.

Emotion Regulation

Learn the definition of emotion regulation.

Exposure Therapy

Learn the definition of exposure therapy

Expressive Writing

Learn the definition of expressive writing.

Fight or Flight Response

Learn the definition of the fight or flight response.

Flashback

Learn the definition of a flashback.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Learn the definition of generalized anxiety disorder (or GAD).

Grounding

Learn the definition of grounding.

Hippocampus

Learn what function the hippocampus serves in the brain.

Hyperarousal

Learn the definition of hyperarousal as it relates to PTSD.

Hypersomnia

Learn the definition of hypersomnia.

Hypervigilance

Learn the definition of hypervigilance.

Hypnotherapy

Learn the definition of hypnotherapy.

Imaginal Exposure

Learn the definition of imaginal exposure.

Impulsive Behavior

Learn what an impulsive behavior is.

In Vivo Exposure

Learn the definition of in vivo exposure.

Incest

Learn the definition of incest.

Insomnia

Learn the definition of insomnia.

Interoceptive Exposure

Learn the definition of interoceptive exposure.

Mania

Learn the definition of mania.

Mindfulness

Learn the definition of mindfulness.

Military Sexual Trauma

Learn the definition of military sexual trauma (MST).

Negative Psychotic Symptoms

Learn about the different negative symptoms of psychosis.

Obesity

Learn the definition of obesity.

Obsessions

Learn the definition of obsessions.

OEF/OIF

Learn what the term "OEF/OIF" stands for.

Panic Attacks

Learn the definition of a panic attack.

Panic Disorder

Learn the definition of panic disorder.

Positive Psychotic Symptoms

Learn about the different positive symptoms of psychosis.

Posttraumatic Growth

Learn the definition of posttraumatic growth.

Prevalence

Learn the definition of the term prevalence as it relates to PTSD.

Primary Emotions

Learn the definition of primary emotions.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Learn the definition of progressive muscle relaxation, a particular type of relaxation exercise.

Protective Factor

Learn what a protective factor is.

Psychiatrist

Learn what a psychiatrist is.

Psychologist

Learn what a psychologist is.

Re-experiencing

Learn the definition of re-experiencing as it relates to PTSD.

Relapse

Learn the definition for relapse.

Relapse Prevention

Learn the definition for relapse prevention.

Repression

Learn the definition of repression.

Resiliency

Learn the definition of resiliency.

Risk Factor

Learn the definition of risk factor.

Risk-Taking

Learn the definition of risk-taking.

Rumination

Learn the definition of rumination.

Schizophrenia

Learn the definition of schizophrenia.

Secondary Emotions

Learn the definition of secondary emotions.

Seeking Safety

Learn what Seeking Safety is.

Seemingly Irrelevant Decision

Learn more about seemingly irrelevant decisions.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Learn the definition of the term selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Self-Medication

Learn the definition of self-medication.

Sexual Assault

Learn the definition of sexual assault.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Learn more about social anxiety disorder.

Specific Phobia

Learn what a specific phobia is.

Stigma

Learn the definition of stigma.

Stress Inoculation Training

Learn what stress inoculation training refers to.

Substance Abuse

Learn the definition of substance abuse.

Substance Dependence

Learn the definition of substance dependence.

Subthreshold PTSD

Learn the definition of subthreshold PTSD.

Survivor Guilt

Learn the definition of survivor guilt.

Trigger

Learn the definition of the term trigger as it relates to PTSD.

Traumatic Event

Learn the definition of a traumatic event.

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET)

Learn the definition of virtual reality exposure therapy or VRET.

Worry

Learn the definition of worry.
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