Glossary of Phobias Terms
In order to fully understand phobias, it is necessary to follow the jargon. If your doctor has used terms you don't understand, you may find the definitions here.
Medication Management
Medication management is an important part of treatment for many phobias. What is medication management and how does it differ from other types of phobia treatment?
Medication management is an important part of treatment for many phobias. What is medication management and how does it differ from other types of phobia treatment?
Health Anxiety
Health anxiety is prevalent, especially in today's Internet culture. But what exactly constitutes health anxiety, and what can you do about it?
Health anxiety is prevalent, especially in today's Internet culture. But what exactly constitutes health anxiety, and what can you do about it?
Therapeutic Role-Playing
Therapeutic role-playing is a common technique used to treat many different mental health disorders. What is therapeutic role-playing and how can it help in the treatment of phobias?
Therapeutic role-playing is a common technique used to treat many different mental health disorders. What is therapeutic role-playing and how can it help in the treatment of phobias?
Active-Imaginal Exposure
Active-imaginal exposure blends the technique of imaginal exposure with active behavioral tasks. What is active-imaginal exposure and how is it being used to treat phobias?
Active-imaginal exposure blends the technique of imaginal exposure with active behavioral tasks. What is active-imaginal exposure and how is it being used to treat phobias?
Imaginal Exposure
Imaginal exposure is a fairly new but well-received method for treating phobias. What is imaginal exposure? Does it work? Find out here!
Imaginal exposure is a fairly new but well-received method for treating phobias. What is imaginal exposure? Does it work? Find out here!
Runner's High
A runner's high can be addictive, leading those who enjoy the feeling to seek out ever greater thrills. But what is a runner's high anyway?
A runner's high can be addictive, leading those who enjoy the feeling to seek out ever greater thrills. But what is a runner's high anyway?
Mantra
Mantras are often connected to spiritual and religious beliefs, but serve a purpose in psychotherapy as well. What is a mantra, and how is it used in therapy?
Mantras are often connected to spiritual and religious beliefs, but serve a purpose in psychotherapy as well. What is a mantra, and how is it used in therapy?
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is the most popular form of therapy. Learn more about it here!
Individual therapy is the most popular form of therapy. Learn more about it here!
Agoraphobia Cluster
Mental health professionals often mention that agoraphobia symptoms appear in clusters. What is a cluster, anyway?
Mental health professionals often mention that agoraphobia symptoms appear in clusters. What is a cluster, anyway?
Adrenaline Junkie
Adrenaline junkies seek out ever more challenging and fear-inducing situations. What should you know about adrenaline junkies?
Adrenaline junkies seek out ever more challenging and fear-inducing situations. What should you know about adrenaline junkies?
Accommodation
Definition of accommodation
Definition of accommodation
Agoraphobia
Definition of Agoraphobia
Definition of Agoraphobia
Anticipatory Anxiety
Definition of Anticipatory Anxiety
Definition of Anticipatory Anxiety
Anxiety Disorder
Definition of Anxiety Disorder
Definition of Anxiety Disorder
Assimilation
Definition of Assimilation
Definition of Assimilation
Automatic Thoughts
Definition of Automatic Thoughts
Definition of Automatic Thoughts
Avoidance
Definition of Avoidance
Definition of Avoidance
Behavior Modification Plan
Putting the theories of behaviorism into concrete action, a behavior modification plan can be extremely successful. Learn more about this useful technique here.
Putting the theories of behaviorism into concrete action, a behavior modification plan can be extremely successful. Learn more about this useful technique here.
Behaviorism
Definition of behaviorism
Definition of behaviorism
Benzodiazepines
Definition of Benzodiazepines
Definition of Benzodiazepines
Beta Blocker
Definition of Beta Blocker
Definition of Beta Blocker
Blank Slate
Definition of Blank Slate
Definition of Blank Slate
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Definition of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Definition of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Brief Therapy
Definition of Brief Therapy
Definition of Brief Therapy
Classical Conditioning
Definition of classical conditioning
Definition of classical conditioning
Cognitive Reframing
Definition of Cognitive Reframing
Definition of Cognitive Reframing
Cognitive Theory
Definition of Cognitive Theory
Definition of Cognitive Theory
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Definition of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Definition of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Collective Unconscious
Definition of Collective Unconscious
Definition of Collective Unconscious
Community Mental Health Center
Definition of Community Mental Health Center
Definition of Community Mental Health Center
Compulsion
A compulsion is a ritual performed to relieve anxiety. Although you may know that your compulsion is irrational, you may feel powerless to overcome it. Learn more about compulsions here.
A compulsion is a ritual performed to relieve anxiety. Although you may know that your compulsion is irrational, you may feel powerless to overcome it. Learn more about compulsions here.
Constructivism
Definition of Constructivism
Definition of Constructivism
Conversion Disorder
Definition of Conversion Disorder
Definition of Conversion Disorder
Coping Skills
Definition of Coping Skills
Definition of Coping Skills
Counter-Transference
Counter-transference is a potentially damaging yet relatively common process experienced by many therapists. What is counter-transference, and how do therapists guard against its effects on clients? Find out here.
Counter-transference is a potentially damaging yet relatively common process experienced by many therapists. What is counter-transference, and how do therapists guard against its effects on clients? Find out here.
Crisis of Faith
Definition of Crisis of Faith
Definition of Crisis of Faith
Definition of Cyberchondria
The definition of cyberchondria.
The definition of cyberchondria.
Definition of Medical Student's Disease
The definition of medical student's disease.
The definition of medical student's disease.
Delusional Disorder
Definition of Delusional Disorder
Definition of Delusional Disorder
DSM-IV
Definition of DSM-IV
Definition of DSM-IV
Eclectic Therapy
Definition of Eclectic Therapy
Definition of Eclectic Therapy
Evolutionary Psychology
Evolutionary psychology is commonly cited as a means of explaining human behavior. But what is evolutionary psychology? How does it explain behaviors, especially fears and phobias?
Evolutionary psychology is commonly cited as a means of explaining human behavior. But what is evolutionary psychology? How does it explain behaviors, especially fears and phobias?
Exposure Therapy
Definition of exposure therapy
Definition of exposure therapy
Facilitator
Definition of a facilitator
Definition of a facilitator
Family Therapy
Definition of Family Therapy
Definition of Family Therapy
Fight or Flight Response
Definition of Fight or Flight Response
Definition of Fight or Flight Response
Flashback
Flashbacks are frightening and intense mental revisits of a traumatic event. How can you cope with flashbacks?
Flashbacks are frightening and intense mental revisits of a traumatic event. How can you cope with flashbacks?
Flooding
Definition of Flooding
Definition of Flooding
Goals of Therapy
Definition of Goals of Therapy
Definition of Goals of Therapy
Group Therapy
Definition of Group Therapy
Definition of Group Therapy
Groupthink
Definition of Groupthink
Definition of Groupthink
Guided Imagery
Definition of Guided Imagery
Definition of Guided Imagery
Health Phobia
Health phobia is a sort of catch-all term used to describe various phobias. But what exactly is a health phobia, and how does it differ from other types of phobias?
Health phobia is a sort of catch-all term used to describe various phobias. But what exactly is a health phobia, and how does it differ from other types of phobias?
Homeopathy
Definition of Homeopathy
Definition of Homeopathy
Humanistic Psychology
Definition of Humanistic Psychology
Definition of Humanistic Psychology
Instinctive Response
Definition of Instinctive Response
Definition of Instinctive Response
Intake Interview
Definition of Intake Interview
Definition of Intake Interview
Learned Response
Definition of Learned Response
Definition of Learned Response
Learning Theory
Definition of Learning Theory
Definition of Learning Theory
Legitimate Phobia
Is a legitimate phobia different than an illegitimate phobia? The term is frequently used, but rarely defined. Find out what it means here!
Is a legitimate phobia different than an illegitimate phobia? The term is frequently used, but rarely defined. Find out what it means here!
Magical Thinking
Definition of magical thinking
Definition of magical thinking
Malingering
Learn more about the definition of malingering.
Learn more about the definition of malingering.
MAOI
Definition of MAOI
Definition of MAOI
Mass Hysteria
Definition of mass hysteria
Definition of mass hysteria
Medical Model
Definition of Medical Model
Definition of Medical Model
Mental Health Parity
Definition of Mental Health Parity
Definition of Mental Health Parity
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Learn more about the definition of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Learn more about the definition of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Negative Punishment
Definition of Negative Punishment
Definition of Negative Punishment
Negative Reinforcement
Definition of Negative Reinforcement
Definition of Negative Reinforcement
Nosophobia
Definition of Nosophobia
Definition of Nosophobia
Object of Fear
Definition of Object of Fear
Definition of Object of Fear
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a complicated anxiety disorder. Its symptoms can mirror those of phobias, yet the two conditions are very different. Learn more about OCD and how it differs from phobias.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a complicated anxiety disorder. Its symptoms can mirror those of phobias, yet the two conditions are very different. Learn more about OCD and how it differs from phobias.
Operant Conditioning
Definition of operant conditioning
Definition of operant conditioning
Palpitations
Definition of Palpitations
Definition of Palpitations
Panic Attack
Definition of Panic Attack
Definition of Panic Attack
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is closely linked with agoraphobia. But what is panic disorder, exactly, and how do you know if you have it?
Panic disorder is closely linked with agoraphobia. But what is panic disorder, exactly, and how do you know if you have it?
Parroting
Definition of Parroting
Definition of Parroting
Phobia
Definition of Phobia
Definition of Phobia
Phobic Reaction
Definition of phobic reaction
Definition of phobic reaction
Phobic Stimulus
Definition of Phobic Stimulus
Definition of Phobic Stimulus
Positive Punishment
Definition of Positive Punishment
Definition of Positive Punishment
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is a technique used to increase desired behavior. What exactly does it entail? Learn more here.
Positive reinforcement is a technique used to increase desired behavior. What exactly does it entail? Learn more here.
Presenting Problem
Definition of Presenting Problem
Definition of Presenting Problem
Psycho-Educational Group
A psycho-educational group is a specific type of therapy group focusing on educating clients. Why is it so important? Who is in charge? Learn all about these groups here.
A psycho-educational group is a specific type of therapy group focusing on educating clients. Why is it so important? Who is in charge? Learn all about these groups here.
Punishment
Common knowledge states that punishment refers to the consequences of negative behaviors. But did you know that punishment itself can be positive or negative? Here is what you should know.
Common knowledge states that punishment refers to the consequences of negative behaviors. But did you know that punishment itself can be positive or negative? Here is what you should know.
Purposeful Breathing
Purposeful breathing is a catch-all phrase describing many different types of breathing techniques. But what is purposeful breathing, and why is it so important to phobia management? Find out here!
Purposeful breathing is a catch-all phrase describing many different types of breathing techniques. But what is purposeful breathing, and why is it so important to phobia management? Find out here!
Reinforcement
Reinforcement is a commonly used behavioral tool for shaping behavior. What is it, and why can it be both positive and negative?
Reinforcement is a commonly used behavioral tool for shaping behavior. What is it, and why can it be both positive and negative?
Rumination
Definition of Rumination
Definition of Rumination
Self Medicating
Definition of Self Medicating
Definition of Self Medicating
Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy is related to self-esteem, but is not identical. Find out what self-efficacy actually means, and how your level could affect your phobia treatment.
Self-efficacy is related to self-esteem, but is not identical. Find out what self-efficacy actually means, and how your level could affect your phobia treatment.
Social Phobia
Definition of Social Phobia
Definition of Social Phobia
Somatization Disorder
Definition of Somatization Disorder
Definition of Somatization Disorder
Somatoform Disorder
Definition of Somatoform Disorder
Definition of Somatoform Disorder
Specific Phobia
Definition of Specific Phobia
Definition of Specific Phobia
SSRI
Definition of SSRI
Definition of SSRI
Stop! Technique
Definition of stop technique
Definition of stop technique
Support Person
Definition of Support Person
Definition of Support Person
Survivor Guilt
Survivor guilt is a common experience in the wake of a crisis or disaster. Officially recognized as a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder, survivor guilt can lead to other disorders, including phobias. Here's what you should know about this often-overlooked reaction.
Survivor guilt is a common experience in the wake of a crisis or disaster. Officially recognized as a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder, survivor guilt can lead to other disorders, including phobias. Here's what you should know about this often-overlooked reaction.
Systematic Desensitization
Definition of Systematic Desensitization
Definition of Systematic Desensitization
Therapeutic Milieu
Definition of Therapeutic Milieu
Definition of Therapeutic Milieu
Therapeutic Rapport
Therapeutic rapport is often mentioned as an important component of the therapeutic relationship. But what exactly is therapeutic rapport, and how is it created?
Therapeutic rapport is often mentioned as an important component of the therapeutic relationship. But what exactly is therapeutic rapport, and how is it created?
Transference
Transference is a popular buzzword in certain types of therapy. But what does it mean? How do you know if it is occurring, and whether it is healthy for your progress? Learn more about this common process.
Transference is a popular buzzword in certain types of therapy. But what does it mean? How do you know if it is occurring, and whether it is healthy for your progress? Learn more about this common process.
Treatment Plan
Definition of Treatment Plan
Definition of Treatment Plan
Treatment Team
Definition of Treatment Team
Definition of Treatment Team
Trigger
Definition of Trigger
Definition of Trigger
Vertigo
Definition of vertigo
Definition of vertigo
White Coat Hypertension
Definition of white coat hypertension
Definition of white coat hypertension