Terms beginning with "H"

Many misunderstandings in the depiction of people with mental illnesses have arisen from misunderstanding of the vocabulary of mental illnesses, or inaccuracies in that vocabulary’s use. The following glossary has been developed from The American Psychiatric Association’s Psychiatric Glossary and a list prepared by the Mental Health Association in Los Angeles County, of preferred and misunderstood terms used to describe mental illnesses. The glossary contains examples of both proper language and language that perpetuates misunderstanding and stigma.

Those marked with an asterisk (*) are examples of outmoded, inaccurate and stigmatizing language.

Hallucinations

The false perception of a sight, sound, taste, smell or touch when no actual stimulus is present. Hallucination also refers to the imaginary object apparently seen and heard.

Homicidal Maniac*

Phrase used often by public communicators to describe multiple murderers. Its widespread use has perpetuated the myth that mentally ill people are always violent.

Hyperactive*

An outmoded term usually used to describe children who have a mental illness called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).

Hysterics*

A lay term for uncontrollable emotional outbursts.

Edit glossary page "H"

Terms beginning with "H"

Hallucinations

Homicidal Maniac*

Hyperactive*

Hysterics*

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