Mental Health Basics
The term for a persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest.
What is depression?
A type of anxiety that involves fear of social situations.
What is social anxiety?
This brain chemical is linked to pleasure, reward, and motivation.
What is dopamine?
Seeing things as all good or all bad, with no middle ground.
What is all-or-nothing or black-and-white thinking?
True or False: Mindfulness means stopping all thoughts from coming into your mind.
False.
A mental health professional who can prescribe medication in most states.
Who is a psychiatrist?
The term for a sudden episode of intense fear or discomfort.
What is a panic attack?
Chemicals that help brain cells communicate.
What are neurotransmitters?
This distortion involves expecting the worst possible outcome in any situation.
What is catastrophizing?
When practicing mindfulness, if a distracting thought pops up, the best action is to...
What is notice it and gently bring your focus back to the present?
True or False: Mental health and mental illness are the same thing.
What is false?
This form of depression happens during a particular time of year.
What is seasonal depression?
The brain chemical is involved in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep, and is often targeted by antidepressants.
What is serotonin?
When you assume you know what others are thinking, usually negatively.
What is mind reading?
This is the simplest way to start a mindfulness practice.
What is breath awareness or deep breathing?
This mental illness is characterized by extreme highs and lows in mood.
What is bipolar disorder?
True or False: Anxiety is a symptom of Bipolar Disorder.
The brain chemical that makes you feel connection and love towards others.
What is oxytocin?
When you predict the future negatively and believe it’s certain.
What is fortune-telling?
A practice that combines mindfulness with gentle movements, often used in stress reduction and physical therapy.
What is yoga or tai chi?
This book is used by mental health professionals to help diagnose mental disorders in the U.S.
What is the DSM-5?
A therapeutic technique that focuses on challenging negative thought patterns.
What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?
This part of the brain is responsible for thinking, planning, and decision-making.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
This distortion involves taking one small detail and making a broad statement about yourself or others.
What is overgeneralization?
Name one physical effect mindfulness can have on the body.
What is lower blood pressure / slower heart rate / reduced muscle tension?