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SAD
Seasonal affective disorder.
Schema
The way in which a variety of information about any given behavior or knowledge is organized in the mind so that responses can occur relatively automatically and thinking is efficient.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
A depressive disorder usually associated with the winter months.
Self esteem
One�s feeling of personal worth.
Self Help
Treatment that is applied or practiced without the guidance of a professional therapist.
Self Medication
The use of substances (e.g., medications, alternative therapies, substances of abuse) for symptom relief without the guidance of a doctor.
Self Monitoring
A psychotherapy technique in which one is asked to observe and monitor their own behavior.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
An anxiety disorder of childhood characterized by a variety of unrealistic fears about safety, oversensitivity, and chronic anxiety.
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-HT)
A hormone and neurotransmitter (an indoleamine) important in a variety of functions including appetite, sleep, depression and anxiety and depression.
Sign
An observable characteristic of a physical or psychiatric problem/condition.
Simple Phobia
See specific phobia.
Simple Tension Headaches
Headaches that result from prolonged contraction of the muscles of the head and neck due to stress.
SNRI
See Dual Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
Social Phobia
A persistent and exaggerated fear of social situations that often includes fears of humiliation, embarrassment, rejection, and being observed. Most often treated with SSRIs and/or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Social Work
Psychotherapy that emphasizes family and community relationships.
Somatic
Having to do with the body.
Stage of Exhaustion
The third stage of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) in which the organism can no longer resist stress.
Stage of Resistance
Second stage of the general adaptation syndrome during which the organism actively tries to cope with stress.
Startle Reaction/Response
The sudden and involuntary reaction to unexpected events or stimulation.
Status Panicus
A consecutive series of panic attacks that can last for hours or days.
Stimulants
Substances that increase feelings of alertness and reduce feelings of fatigue.
Stress
Biological or psychological variables that result in a change in adaptation and a change in physical or mental health. Stress is most often associated with a changing environment.
Stress- Inoculation Training/Therapy
A type of psychotherapy that focuses on teaching self-instruction to cope with negative thoughts and stress.
Stress tolerance
The degree and nature of stress that a person can tolerate.
Stressor
Anything that causes stress and results in coping behavior.
Substance Abuse
A pattern of substance use that results in significant negative consequences to the individual or others.
Substance Dependence
A pattern of behavior that results in increased tolerance for the substance, physiological and psychological dependence, and withdrawal symptoms.
Support Group
A group of people that meets together to share encouragement and information.
Surdomutism
An inability to speak due to fear.
Sympathetic Division
Division of nervous system responsible for activation of bodily responses under extreme conditions including emotional arousal and physical effort.
Symptom
Reports of experience of a problem that is reported by the patient.
Syndrome
A pattern of signs and symptoms that tend to group together in a disorder.
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