Glossary

Treatment based on the belief that psychological problems are the products of faulty learning and not the symptoms of an underlying disease. Treatment is directed at the problem or target behaviour and is designed for the particular person, not for the particular diagnostic label that has been given.

A reaction to the death of a loved one (eg. feelings of sadness and associated symptoms such as insomnia, poor appetite and weight loss).

A severe mental illness with repeated episodes of mania and depression. The person is usually well in the intervals between episodes.

A disturbance that involves the sudden onset of at least one of the following positive psychotic symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech, etc.

An eating disorder characterised by overeating followed by techniques to prevent weight gain, eg. induced vomiting, use of laxatives. Can occur as a phase of Anorexia Nervosa.