Glossary

_{From: Borderline personality disorder: An information guide for families. (© 2009 CAMH)}

Unless otherwise noted, all definitions originate in CAMH publications.

affect. The current, observable state of feeling or emotion, such as sadness, anger or elation. (Manitoba Schizophrenia Society ) 

alienation. Refers to the “separation” of people from control over many material and social aspects of their lives.

cognition. The mental process of knowing, including aspects such as awareness, perception, reasoning and judgment.

cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Probably the most widely used treatment for all types of mental health problems. The focus of this approach is on helping individuals change unhelpful thoughts, feelings and behaviours. The focus is on the present and helping people see how negative thoughts can lead to bad feelings and problem behaviours and supporting them to make changes by replacing unhelpful thoughts with positive thoughts and healthy behaviours.

concurrent disorders. Refers to conditions in which people have both a mental health and substance use problem.

co-occurring disorders (COD). Another way of describing a situation where someone has one or more mental health disorders and one or more substance use disorders. It can also refer to any combination of disorders that a person is experiencing at the same time.

dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Based on the biosocial theory of borderline personality disorder that views BPD as the consequence of an emotionally vulnerable individual growing up in an environment that is invalidating or dysfunctional with the affected individual experiencing difficulties in the areas of emotions, relationships, cognition and sense of self. DBT was initially developed by Marsha Linehan, and uses approaches that focus on the here and now and are designed to overcome the lack of self-validation experienced by the person living with BPD and to help her or him acquire the skills to deal more adaptively with these difficulties.

dissociation. A change in one’s perception or experience of oneself and/or the external world. A feeling of “spacing out” or daydreaming.

DSM-IV-TR. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is used in North America to diagnose mental disorders. A text revision of the fourth and most recent edition, the DSM-IV-TR, organizes mental disorders into 16 major diagnostic classes (e.g., mood disorders and substance-related disorders). Within these diagnostic classes, disorders are further broken down (e.g., depressive disorders and bipolar disorders are included in the mood disorders class). For each disorder, the DSM-IV lists specific criteria for making a diagnosis.

epidemiology. The study of the occurrence of disease and other health-related conditions in specified populations. (Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine)

ethnocultural. An adjective that refers to a group of people who share and identify with certain common traits, such as language, ancestry, homeland, history and cultural traditions. In this guide, ethnocultural communities are defined as those communities whose members have ethnic origins that are not French, British or Aboriginal. While these communities often include newcomers, it is important to remember they also include people whose roots in Canada go back more than one generation.

integrated treatment. Treatment for substance use and mental health problems are combined and ideally provided in the same treatment setting by the same clinicians and support workers, or the same team of clinicians and support workers. This ensures that a client receives a consistent explanation of substance use and mental health problems and a coherent treatment plan. The client gets co-ordinated and comprehensive treatment, as well as help in other life areas, such as housing and employment. Ongoing support in these life areas helps clients to maintain treatment successes, prevent relapses and meet their basic life needs.

Justice of the Peace. A judicial officer who has authority to do a variety of things
in criminal matters, including issuing warrants and orders of examination under the Mental Health Act, and hearing bail applications and provincial offence trials.  

mentalization-based therapy (MBT). A psychodynamic therapy that emphasizes individual recognition of the person’s own mental states as well as those of others as a way of explaining behaviours.

neurosis. A mental illness in which insight is retained but there is a maladaptive way of behaving or thinking that causes suffering, for example, depression, anxiety, phobias or obsessions. 

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Patients with this disorder have intrusive thoughts (obsessions) or the urge to perform irresistible repetitive acts (rituals). The performance of these acts/behaviours may reduce anxiety.

panic disorder. An anxiety disorder characterized by attacks of severe anxiety, terror or fear.

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A condition of re-experiencing the effects of a traumatic event long after the event is over.

predisposition. The state of being predisposed; a tendency, inclination, or susceptibility.

prevalence. Frequency of a disorder, used particularly in epidemiology to denote the total number of cases existing within a unit of population at a given time or over a specified period. 

primary care. The first level of care, and usually the first point of contact, that people have with the health care system. It includes advice on health promotion and disease prevention, assessments of one’s health, diagnosis and treatment of episodic and chronic conditions, and supportive and rehabilitative care. (Ministry of Health: Primary Health Care Strategy, 1999)

psychiatrist. A person with a medical degree and five years of psychiatric training. Because psychiatrists are medical doctors, they are licensed to prescribe medication and provide psychotherapy. Their services are covered by OHIP. As medical doctors, they are more likely to identify connections between psychiatric and physical health problems. Some clients report that psychiatrists tend to be more focused on medication than on talking therapy, perhaps because of their medical training. However, some psychiatrists put emphasis on psychotherapy in their practice.

psychoeducational. A process or aspect of a process that allows people to recognize and learn how to manage their psychiatric illness.

psychosis/psychotic. Refers to disturbances/describes a condition where disturbances cause someone’s personality to break down. The person loses touch with reality; he or she may imagine hearing voices or seeing things or believe things that seem untrue.

recovery. A process, an outlook, a vision and a guiding principle. Recovery has also been described as a process by which people recover their self-esteem, dreams, self-worth, empowerment, pride, dignity and meaning. For professionals and families, recovery is about treating the whole person: identifying their strengths, instilling hope, helping them to function by helping them take responsibility for their lives.

registered psychologist. The College of Psychologists of Ontario regulates the profession of psychology in Ontario. Members of the College of Psychologists are regulated professionals and are the only persons authorized to practise psychology in the province. Psychologists and Psychological Associates are members of the College of Psychologists. 

residential treatment. Intensive treatment, for which a person stays at a treatment facility 24 hours a day. These programs vary in length from a few weeks to several months.

schema therapy. Therapeutic approach based on cognitive behavioural or skills-based therapy, but also targets deeper aspects of emotions, personality and schemas that are ways in which an individual categorizes the world.

social phobia. A significant amount of anxiety and self-consciousness in everyday social situations. Affected people worry about being judged by others and embarrassed by their own actions. This anxiety can lead them to avoid potentially humiliating situations. Other symptoms such as blushing, sweating, trembling, problems talking or nausea can also occur. Women are twice as likely as men to develop social phobia, which typically begins in childhood or early adolescence.

stigma. Refers to the negative attitudes people have toward people with mental health problems, leading to prejudice and unfair and discriminatory behaviour.

substance use. Many people use alcohol, tobacco and even marijuana in moderate amounts and don’t experience any problems. However, some people may start using larger amounts regularly, or using other substances to get intoxicated. These behaviours can lead to problems with a person’s job, family and health. After repeated abuse, some people may become dependent on the substance.

System Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS). A cognitive behavioural approach that teaches clients skills of emotional and behavioural regulation. This is reinforced by also teaching methods to family and friends that reinforce and support these new skills.

Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP). Though this treatment is based on psychodynamic concepts, it also incorporates some behavioural elements, in particular setting up a treatment contract and framework with the client and addressing some of the behavioural symptoms of BPD.

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