Defense Mechanisms
This term describes when we overlook or ignore unpleasant external realities.
What is... Denial
This term describes centering oneself in the present moment.
What is... Mindfulness
1 in 100 (2.4 million) American adults live with this psychotic disorder.
What is... Schizophrenia
People with mental health problems are violent and unpredictable.
Myth. Most people with mental health problems are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Only 3%–5% of violent acts can be attributed to those living with a serious mental illness. In fact, people with severe mental illnesses are over 10 times more likely to be victims of violence than the general population.
If there are 4 apples and you take away 3, how many do you have?
What is... 3
This term describes a person becoming emotionally withdrawn from a healthy sense of self and the world.
What is... Dissociation
This term describes taking your mind off a problem for a while.
What is... A distraction
This term describes a failure of parents or caregivers to respond to a child’s emotional needs.
What is... Childhood emotional neglect
Mental health problems have nothing to do with being lazy or weak and many people need help to get better.
Fact
What has a head like a cat, feet like a cat, a tail like a cat, but isn't a cat?
What is... A kitten
This term describes channeling a negative or destructive impulse into a socially constructive action.
What is... Sublimation
This term describes comforting yourself through the use of your five senses.
What is... Self-soothing (grounding is also an acceptable answer)
Approximately 10.2 million adults have both mental health and addiction disorders. What is it called when someone experiences both of these conditions?
What is... Co-occurring disorder (dual diagnosis is also an acceptable answer).
Emotional neglect is synonymous with emotional abuse.
Myth. Emotional neglect is not necessarily childhood emotional abuse. Abuse is often intentional; it’s a purposeful choice to act in a harmful manner. While emotional neglect can involve intentionally disregarding a child’s feelings, it can also simply be a failure to act or notice a child’s emotional needs.
What do you call a boomerang that doesn't work?
What is... A stick
This term describes returning to an earlier stage of mental development.
What is... Regression
This DBT skill entails doing something the opposite of your impulse and that would be more congruent with a positive emotion.
What is... Opposite action
This term describes how if one person is upset, the other person will often experience the same range of emotions, while at the same time, being unable to recognize their own feelings.
Hint: It is considered one of the signs of enmeshment.
What is... “Symbiotic” Emotions
Friends and family can be important influences to help someone get the treatment and services they need.
Fact
If I drink, I die. If I eat, I am fine. What am I?
What is... A fire
This term describes unconsciously taking unwanted emotions or traits you don't like about yourself and attributing them to someone else.
What is... Projection
This term describes having the awareness and ability to identify and express your feelings.
What is... Emotional awareness
This mental health condition is regarded by NAMI as the leading cause of disability worldwide, as well as a major contributor to the global burden of disease.
What is... Depression
As with the causes of child abuse, the cause of neglect can usually be tied to a specific catalyst and is normally easy to understand.
Myth. Not unlike child abuse, the causes of neglect are multifaceted and often difficult to understand.
When is a doctor most annoyed?
What is... When they are out of patients (patience).