In psychological scientific areas are terminologies used which might be complicated and therefore can be elaborated upon to better understand them.
General terms
Mental health: Dynamic combination of emotional, psychological and social well-being which influences cognition, behavior and processes in the brain (perception, thoughts, feelings, connections…).
Mental disorder: Conditions that affect a person’s psychological (sometimes even physical) well-being including behavior, thoughts, cognition and emotions.
Stigma: A strong disapproval of certain behavior/opinion coming from society often attached to shame, discrimination, lack of transparency and prejudices.
DSM: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The latest version if DSM-5 which lists recognized mental disorders with criteria and is used in the US for scientific/professional diagnoses by psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses and other healthcare/professional staff.
Coping: The way how an individual deals with a difficult situation.
Risk factor: A situation/behavior/feeling/location… associated with triggering emotions and increasing the risk of disease/disorder development.
Therapy forms
Psychotherapy: General definition of therapy types which can help affected ones to identify causes and cope with symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy: Practice of skills in daily life to identify, face and change unhealthy behavior.
Interpersonal therapy: Short term treatment which helps patients understand underlying emotions/thoughts that may cause mental disorder in order to express and communicate more openly.
Dialectical behavioral therapy: Form of cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses more on emotional regulation and responsibility.
Psychodynamic therapy: Used to increase self-awareness and bring consciousness to deep rooted patterns which are often related to childhood experiences.
Psychoanalysis: More excessive form of psychodynamic therapy.
Supportive therapy: Guidance and encouragement to build own resources to increase self-esteem, communication and social skills and relief of anxiety.
Sources
World Health Organization, (30.09.2025), ‘Mental disorders’, World Health Organization,
World Health Organization, (08.10.2025), ‘Mental health’, World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (15.10.2024), ‘About mental health’, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Psychiatry, (July 2026), ‘What is Psychotherapy?’, Psychiatry
APA Dictionary of Psychology, (19.06.2018), ‘risk factor’, APA Dictionary of Psychology