Glossary

Explore the definition of social and cultural terminology as well as substance use and mental health terms and disorders from A to Z

H

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are falsely perceived objects, experiences, or phenomena manufactured by chemical changes in the brain. Hallucinations are not real, but can be based on prior experiences. They are most commonly caused by mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, but can also be brought on by drugs, alcohol, insomnia, or the side effects of prescribed medicine. Hallucinations are different from illusions; the former is entirely nonexistent within reality while the latter is a misinterpretation of sights or sounds that are actually real.

There are types of hallucinations for each of the five senses: Visual (sight), auditory (sound), tactile (touch), olfactory (smell), and gustatory (taste). Auditory hallucinations are the most common of these, as it is the most likely for people to experience without the influence of drugs, alcohol, or a mental disorder. There are also hallucinations that transcend the senses; presence-based for feeling the presence of someone else who isn’t there, and proprioceptive for the feeling of floating or being suspended in the air.

Harm Reduction

Harm reduction is a set of strategies for reducing the negative consequences of drug use. The main principle behind harm reduction is that services that support people who have used drugs are a natural right. Proponents of harm reduction believe that support systems should be in place in general health to help those who may be struggling with drug withdrawal symptoms, overdoses, or other negative effects of drug use.

Harm reduction doesn’t stop at just helping people recover after negative effects occur; it is also a movement that provides instruction on safe use, abstinence, and post-withdrawal recovery. The main proponents of the harm reduction movement is the National Harm Reduction Coalition, an American organization dedicated to removing the barriers to healthcare that many people who use drugs face. In their mission statement, they acknowledge the inevitability of drug use and hope to mitigate the life-threatening effects as best they can.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Histrionic personality disorder is a mental health condition characterized by emotional instability and a strong desire to be noticed. People with histrionic personality disorder will often act in extreme ways to gain attention. This is because people with histrionic personality disorder tend to hinge their self-esteem on others’ opinions of them. This causes a distorted self-image that requires attention from others to sustain itself.

People with histrionic personality disorder may act in excessively inappropriate or promiscuous ways to maintain attention on themselves. At first, this behavior may appear as charming or flirtatious, but it isn’t based on true feelings or a genuine desire to be promiscuous. People with histrionic personality disorder may not even be aware that they are doing this; it may seem normal for them to act on shallow or nonexistent emotions because of the relief generated by the attention they garner.

Homophobia

Homophobia is the fear, hatred, discomfort with, or mistrust of people who are bisexual, gay, or lesbian. Initially, homophobia was only used to describe negative feelings towards homosexual men, but it has more recently become an umbrella term to describe fear or hatred of anyone with the capacity to be attracted to the same gender. Homophobia can manifest as legal hostility, verbal and physical bullying, or violence against queer folk.

There is evidence to support that homophobia is a relatively modern invention. It is believed that homosexual relationships among men were common and perceived as normal in ancient civilizations. It was only during the middle ages that the stigma around homosexuality began to develop. It was only within the 20th century that homosexuality returned from being classified as a mental illness to a natural sexual attraction in the West.

I

Inhalants

Inhalants are substances that induce psychoactive effects when inhaled. They can be consumed through oral or nasal inhalation via a container, can, or rag. Some popular inhalants include nitrous oxide, gasoline/other volatile solvents, and aerosol. Inhalants tend to be very potent due to the method of consumption, which makes them prone to overuse. Many inhalants are also inherently toxic to the central nervous system.

Inhalant abuse has a variety of negative health effects. The act of using inhalants prevents fresh air from entering the lungs, which could lead to brain damage due to a lack of oxygen. Some symptoms of this are slurred speech, memory loss, inhibited motor abilities, and nausea. Complications due to inhalant abuse can even result in death. Regular inhalant use could cause muscle and weight loss, depression, fatigue, and liver damage.

Intersectionality

Intersectionality studies how different demographic characteristics such as gender, race, or sexuality can affect the opportunities and privileges a person can have. The concept was first coined in 1989 by Kimberlé Crenshaw, a Black female law student at the time who wanted to express the unique difficulties Black women face that white women do not. While the term itself originated in 1989, intersectionality was a palpable reality in the lives of Black women for centuries prior.

Today, intersectionality has been expanded to accommodate more than the nexus of race and gender. The conversation has begun to also bring focus to the privileges granted by class, sexuality, or conformance to cisnormativity. Proponents of the theory hope to illuminate the struggles associated with having overlapping minority identities.

Intersex

Someone who is intersex has reproductive organs or sexual anatomy that lies outside of the male/female binary. They might have traits of both male and female or neither. Some people may have their intersex traits apparent from birth, during puberty, or later in life. In multiple cases, intersex traits are only found post-mortem during an autopsy. Some traits that indicate intersexuality are genital size, chromosomal variation outside of XX and XY, and the presence of multiple sexual organs.

Being intersex was previously known as having a disorder of sexual development (DSD), but this terminology is antiquated. Intersexuality is not a disorder; the concept of intersexuality only exists because our rigid sexual binary-based terminology does not account for biological variation in sexual organs. Since intersex people can also have chromosomal differences that blur the lines between male and female, the classification is socially constructed and applied on a case-by-case basis.

L

Lesbian

Lesbian is a term used to describe a woman who is only sexually or romantically attracted to other women. The term lesbian can also be used for nonbinary or genderqueer individuals if they so choose. It is not required that these nonbinary or genderqueer people must be assigned female at birth or even that they are feminine-presenting.

The word lesbian was first used in the 16th century to refer to people who hailed from the Greek island Lesbos. Of these people included Sappho, a female homosexual poet who often wrote of her love for women. As a result, she birthed both the terms lesbian and sapphic (the capacity for a woman to be attracted to other women). Sapphic is not quite the same as lesbian; for example, bisexual and pansexual women who are attracted to women are sapphic but not necessarily lesbian.

LGBTQIA+

 LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Ally. The plus is there to include other gender or sexual identities not included in the acronym, like pansexual or nonbinary people. The purpose of the acronym is to be as inclusive as possible while acknowledging queer history. 

In some cases, the acronym may be displayed as LGBTQIAA+. This is done to include both asexuals and allies explicitly, as the inclusion of allyship promotes the importance of non-queer advocates in securing queer rights. This helps promote unity between communities with differing cultures and perspectives, contributing to the purpose of the acronym being created in the first place.

LSD (Acid)

LSD, short for lysergic acid diethylamide and commonly known as Acid, is a synthetic hallucinogen. Hallucinogens are substances that induce hallucinations, or false sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or physical feelings that may seem real but aren’t. LSD is known for its relatively harmless psychoactive effects; deaths following use of LSD are very rare, and often occur due to other medical complications.

Some hallucinogens are natural and legal, but LSD is not. This is most likely due to its extremely high potency; even moderate doses of LSD can produce mind-bending, reality-warping effects called “trips”. These trips can be pleasurable or calming, but can often turn unpleasant and scary. Given that there is no way of cutting a trip short, these bad trips can be extremely undesirable and even have lasting psychological effects.

M

Major Depressive Disorder

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a common mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and low mood, which can result in thoughts of self-harm or suicide when untreated. These feelings are not caused by grieving upsetting events in one’s life, but rather a result of changes in brain chemistry. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S., with around 7% of adults and 4.4% of children having some form of depression.

Depression can cause more than just sadness; it can affect thought patterns, interpersonal relationships, and interest in daily activities. The disorder also negatively affects the ability to perform daily tasks, like getting out of bed, brushing teeth, sleeping, eating, etc. Given the wide variety of symptoms, depression is quite treatable. Treatment may include talk therapy and medication, or even guided lifestyle changes, which can mitigate the symptoms of the disorder while not necessarily treating it.

Marijuana (Weed)

Marijuana, also known as weed or pot, is a drug composed of the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from plants of the Cannabis genus. Among the common Cannabis plants included are C. sativa, C. indica, and C. ruderalis. Cannabis and marijuana are often used interchangeably, but marijuana is technically different as it only consists of cannabis products that contain THC, the main component that gives marijuana its psychoactive effects. These effects include relaxation, mild euphoria, and an altered sense of time.

Throughout the 20th century, the legal status of marijuana in the U.S. was ruminated on, adjusted, restricted, and relaxed until the 1990s, when decriminalization efforts began and medical uses of the drug was legalized in multiple states. Now, many states have legalized both medical and recreational applications of marijuana for people over the state-designated legal consumption age.

MDMA ( Molly / Ecstacy )

MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine and also known as Molly or Ecstacy, is a synthetic drug that has the effects of both a stimulant and a psychedelic. It induces excitement, high energy, and euphoria while distorting one’s perception of time. MDMA is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it has no practical applications outside of recreation and it has potential to be abused.

Possible negative effects include nausea, involuntary jaw clenching, and high blood pressure. The high induced by MDMA can also increase anxiety and cause extended bouts of depressive thoughts in the aftermath of drug use. MDMA overuse very rarely results in death, but there are cases of repeated use causing heart conditions that can lead to fatal complications. Due to its reputation as a club drug, MDMA is often accidentally overused in nightclubs and social gatherings.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine, or meth for short, is a Schedule II synthetic stimulant, meaning that it can only be obtained through prescription. Meth is extremely addictive and potent whether it’s smoked, snorted, or injected. The combination of its potency and addictiveness make it one of the leading causes of drug overdoses in the United States. It often takes the form of shiny light blue crystals or powder, which earned it the nickname “ice”. 

Some of the short-term effects of methamphetamine are intense euphoria, alertness, and high energy. The high is often followed by a period of intense discomfort known as a crash. Crashes can induce nausea, vomiting, paranoia, high blood pressure, and heart problems. Crash symptoms can be mitigated or delayed by taking more doses of methamphetamine, which does provide momentary relief, but will either make the eventual crash much worse or result in a meth overdose. Habitual use of meth can also lead to heart problems, strokes, or even death.

Microaggression

Microaggressions are indirect statements or actions that carry discriminatory or prejudiced undertones. They are harmful towards members of marginalized groups based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. Sometimes, microaggressions can be difficult to spot given their indirect nature, and may even occur by accident. For example, an accidental microaggression may involve a compliment tainted by disparaging insinuations about one’s identity, like “you speak English very well” to an Asian-American with the assumption that they weren’t born in the U.S. 

The term “microaggression” was coined in 1970 by psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce to explain the phenomena of discreet slights made towards African-Americans that didn’t seem to qualify as explicit racism. The opposite of microaggressions are macroaggressions, or institutional systems that prevent marginalized groups from succeeding under them. An example of a macroaggression is the implementation of a travel ban against predominantly Muslim countries.

Minority Stress

Minority stress is the concept that people in marginalized groups experience additional stress due to stigma and discrimination. It is widely accepted that this is part of the reason that people in marginalized groups have higher rates of chronic diseases and mental health issues; the constant stress of everyday life causes mental and physical fatigue which makes it more difficult to resist maladies. The reason why minority stress is so insidious is because it is chronic. Discrimination and prejudice are built into every aspect of modern society, from advertisements to social media and beyond. The lack of respite makes activities that would be relaxing or neutral for the majority group stressful and draining for the minority.

Adolescents and teens exposed to minority stress will experience the negative effects more acutely than adults. This is referred to as a developmental collision; the stress associated with being in a minority group strains mental development at a crucial age, amplifying the stress as a result. Part of the issue is that these younger minorities are being exposed to the exact same stressors as older members of their groups because of how ingrained discriminatory stressors are in society.

Misogyny

Misogyny is defined as the hatred of or prejudice against women. It is normally perpetrated by men, but women and nonbinary people can also be misogynistic. The use of the term was popularized in the 70s by second-wave feminists to refer to people, systems, or behaviors that were harmful to women specifically. Misogyny is generally agreed to occur as a result of patriarchy, or male-dominated society.

Originally, it was distinct from sexism against women; misogyny referred more to violence and sexual abuse against women while sexism was more general. However, both words became less distinct as time went on, leading to them being almost interchangeable today. As a result, misogyny can not only refer to people with a contempt for women, but also societal or institutional systems that exist to prevent women from holding positions of power, exercising their civil rights, or gaining other advantages.

Mushrooms

Psilocybin is a chemical compound found in certain mushrooms that has hallucinogenic effects when broken down by the body. These mushrooms, often referred to as magic mushrooms, are generally grown in Mexico and Central America and have been used in native rituals for thousands of years. In modern-day, magic mushrooms are eaten recreationally or taken as a form of informal therapy, given that the hallucinations caused by psilocybin can be vivid and pleasurable.

Magic mushrooms affect everyone who takes them in different ways. Given that they are grown and not synthesized, it is difficult to tell how much psilocybin is contained in each mushroom, which impacts the ability to self-regulate. Common side effects of taking mushrooms include nausea, vomiting, and muscle weakness. In certain cases, intense hallucinations can induce psychosis and exacerbate the conditions of psychotic illnesses like schizophrenia.

N

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition that affects people’s view of themselves and others around them. It is characterized by the need to feel important or impressive, sometimes paired with a lack of empathy for others. People with NPD tend to put their own wellbeing at risk to fulfill their desires, often harming themselves in the process. The condition gets its name from the myth of the Greek hunter Narcissus, who was so enamored by his own reflection that he stared at it until he died.

Narcissistic personality disorder is relatively common, with around 5% of the U.S. population having some form of NPD. It is also 50-70% more common in males than females. Often, NPD is developed at an early age due to trauma, abuse, or too much/too little attention and praise. NPD frequently occurs in tandem with other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. Treatment for the condition includes talk therapy and medication.

Neurocognitive Disorders

Neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) are characterized by the gradual decline of cognitive function. They differ from developmental disorders, which are present from birth or early life. The main cause of developing an NCD is age; around 3% of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have a neurocognitive disorder, but that number rises to 19% in the next decade and nearly 50% in the decade after. Secondary causes of NCDs include chemical imbalances, genetic predisposition, and brain trauma.

Neurocognitive disorders were initially categorized as “dementia” in official medical settings. As research continued, NCDs became more distinct from one another, contributing to the need for more precise diagnoses. With the publication of the DSM-5 in 2013, neurocognitive disorders replaced dementia as the umbrella term for these conditions and dementia was renamed as “major neurocognitive disorder” to reflect its unique severity.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) impact brain development, learning, and cognitive function. Symptoms of NDDs tend to manifest in children or adolescents, but many people go undiagnosed until adulthood. Common neurodevelopmental disorders include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), motor disorders like Tourette Syndrome and cerebral palsy, and learning / communication disorders.

It is estimated that around 5-20% of the general population has some kind of NDD. The wide estimation range is due to the variety of severity and expression of symptoms; some people have mild symptoms of a neurodevelopmental disorder which may go unnoticed until adulthood. Some people may never even find out that they have an NDD at all, and will simply live with the disorder unbeknownst to them and their loved ones. Treatments for NDDs vary depending on the specific disorder but often include behavioral therapy and medication.

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