Psychiatry Dictionary
Some concepts used in psychiatry and psychotherapy are also frequently encountered in everyday language. However, the same word can have different meanings in everyday language and in clinical usage. For this reason, I have compiled this glossary with the aim of explaining concepts frequently used in the fields of psychiatry and psychotherapy in clear and scientific language.
Understanding a concept does not mean that a person is diagnosing themselves or someone else. Psychiatric symptoms are assessed in conjunction with the person’s history, the difficulties they are experiencing, the duration, severity and impact on daily life.
B
Attachment
A concept used to understand emotional closeness, trust, and relational patterns a person develops with significant others.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorders are mood disorders in which manic or hypomanic episodes may occur. Bipolar I disorder requires at least one manic episode; Bipolar II disorder involves hypomanic and major depressive episodes.