Tics
Tics are sudden, quick, repetitive movements or vocalizations that the body performs involuntarily. They are categorized into two types: motor tics and vocal tics. Motor tics can manifest as shoulder shrugging, blinking, or facial contortions. Vocal tics, on the other hand, include involuntary sounds like throat clearing, grunting, or barking.
These involuntary actions are commonly associated with Tourette’s Syndrome, which is characterized by the presence of both persistent motor and vocal tics for more than a year. A similar condition, chronic tic disorder, requires the presence of either motor or vocal tics (but not both) for at least a year. Tic disorders are fairly common in children, with approximately 1 in every 50 children experiencing some form of the disorder.
TMS or rTMS
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to influence electrical activity in the brain. The magnets in the device are switched rapidly on and off, creating a series of pulses that can be adjusted in strength, frequency, and targeted area of the brain. These pulses can influence the electrical activity of brain cells and neurons.
Due to its ability to modulate brain activity, TMS can be used as a treatment for various neurological and mental health conditions. It has shown effectiveness in treating major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The noninvasive nature of TMS makes it a viable option for patients who may not respond to other forms of treatment.
Tolerance
Tolerance refers to the diminishing effects of a substance that result from repeated use. It’s the body’s natural response to a foreign substance, which it may view as a “poison” to be resisted and processed. This is why people who take prescription drugs, such as painkillers, often find that they need progressively larger doses to achieve the original effects. The body grows accustomed to the substance, which can be beneficial in some cases but also decreases the effectiveness of helpful medications over time. Individual tolerance levels can vary based on factors like age, stature, medical history, and genetics.
When the body continuously ingests and processes a substance, it eventually requires the substance just to feel normal, rather than for relief, pleasure, or tranquility. This state can lead to withdrawal if the substance is not taken for a prolonged period. Withdrawal is a common issue with substances like opioids, and its symptoms can include headaches, stomach cramps, nausea, and insomnia.
Transfemenine
Transfeminine, often shortened to transfemme, is a term that refers to people who were assigned male at birth (AMAB) and have transitioned to a feminine gender identity. It’s important to note that a transfeminine identity does not automatically mean a person uses she/her pronouns.
Many transfeminine people use other pronouns while still aligning more with femininity than another gender identity. For example, a nonbinary individual who uses they/them pronouns can still identify as transfeminine if it aligns with their sense of self. Some transfeminine individuals may also use multiple sets of pronouns, such as she/her and they/them, interchangeably or in different contexts.
Transgender
Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Sex assigned at birth is based on external sex characteristics. The opposite of transgender is cisgender, which describes individuals whose gender identity aligns with their assigned sex. People who were assigned male at birth but identify as female are referred to as MTF (male-to-female), while the reverse is known as FTM (female-to-male).
Some nonbinary individuals, whose gender identity exists outside of the male-female binary, also identify as transgender, but it’s not a universal rule and should not be assumed. People discover their transgender identity at different times in their lives; for some, it’s during adolescence, while others may not realize it until much later in adulthood. Many transgender and nonbinary individuals will seek gender-affirming care, a type of healthcare that assists in making one’s gender identity align with their physical appearance, sex characteristics, voice and speech patterns, etc.
Transmasculine
Transmasculine, often shortened to transmasc, is a term that refers to people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and have transitioned to a masculine gender identity. It’s important to note that a transmasculine identity does not automatically mean a person uses he/him pronouns.
Many transmasculine people use other pronouns while still aligning more with masculinity than another gender identity. For example, a nonbinary individual who uses they/them pronouns can still identify as transmasculine if it aligns with their sense of self. Some transmasculine individuals may also use multiple sets of pronouns, such as he/him and they/them, interchangeably or in different contexts.
Transphobia
Transphobia is the hatred, fear, disbelief, or mistrust of individuals whose gender identity is perceived to be different from the sex they were assigned at birth. This prejudice extends beyond transgender individuals and can affect anyone who is perceived as gender-nonconforming. Even cisgender people who do not conform to societal gender stereotypes can be subjected to transphobia.
Transphobia can manifest in different ways, from interpersonal to institutional forms. Interpersonal transphobia includes actions like repeatedly misgendering a transgender person after being corrected. Institutional transphobia often takes the form of hostile legislation or policies that restrict the rights and resources designed to protect gender minorities.
Two Spirit
Two-Spirit is a term used within some Native American communities to describe people who possess the attributes of both men and women. This identity existed for centuries before the European colonization of North America. Two-Spirit individuals were not considered men or women, but rather a third gender, and were often revered for their unique roles in their communities.
Two-Spirit people often took on roles traditionally reserved for the opposite sex; for example, Two-Spirit females could become warriors and hunt, while Two-Spirit males might take on trades like basket-weaving and pottery. Their unique perspective was often considered sacred, and they were frequently given the roles of healers or visionaries. The European colonization of North America suppressed this culture, as colonizers introduced their own concepts of gender and religion. This suppression was furthered by the forced assimilation of Indigenous children into predominantly white boarding schools, which stigmatized and suppressed the Two-Spirit identity.