Manic-depressive illness
a mood disorder defined by manic or hypomanic episodes (changes from one's normal mood accompanied by high energy states)
Mania
heightened energy, sensitivity, creativity, sociability, and productivity
Depression
characterized by an utter lack of feeling that causes exhaustion, despair, and psychological pain; difficulty performing the daily tasks of normal life; can lead to suicidal ideation
Unipolar Depression
depression without recurring manic episodes
Bipolar Disorder
another word for manic-depressive illness, bipolar disorder is the more commonly accepted term in the medical world today
Stigma
mark of disgrace; a distinguishing characteristic that causes others to change how they treat you
Medication Stigma
stigma about taking daily medication that causes non-compliance
Medication Compliance
Usage of medication in accordance with prescription. In order for a medication to work properly, it should be taken exactly as prescribed; medication non-compliance is one of the largest problems facing manic-depressives
Clinical Psychology
branch of psychology concerned with the assessment and treatment of mental illness
Madness
the state of being mentally ill, especially severely; outdated term
Side Effects
a secondary, often undesirable effect of a medical treatment
Lithium
common mood stabilizer prescribed to those with manic-depressive disorder
Psychiatry
the study and treatment of mental illness
Mercurial
unstable
Candy Striper
a volunteer in a hospital
Rorschach Test
Psychological test in which subjects' perceptions of random images like inkblots are recorded and analyzed
Tempestuous
stormy, turbulent
Idiosyncratic
Distinctive, Quirky
Mental Illness
disorders that affect mood, thinking, and behavior
Parity
Equality
