Every term gets the official definition and an 'okay, but what does that mean?'
↙ no jargon left behind
The outward expression of emotion — facial expression, tone of voice, body language — as observed by someone else.
okay, but what does that mean?
How your feelings look from the outside. 'Flat affect' means your face and voice show less emotion than usual.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? Clinicians note how you come across during the conversation as one small part of the picture.
The presence of two or more conditions in the same person at the same time.
okay, but what does that mean?
Having more than one thing going on at once. It's very common.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? They may ask about several areas because conditions often overlap or co-occur.
A repetitive behavior or mental act that a person feels driven to perform, often to reduce distress or prevent a feared outcome.
okay, but what does that mean?
Something you feel like you HAVE to do — check, count, repeat — to make an uncomfortable feeling go away.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? Questions about rituals help distinguish OCD from habits or other patterns.
Used to describe a factor that plays a part in an experience without being its sole cause.
okay, but what does that mean?
One ingredient in the mix, not necessarily the whole recipe.
A fixed belief that is held strongly despite clear evidence against it and isn't explained by the person's culture or religion.
okay, but what does that mean?
A belief that stays rock-solid even when everything points the other way.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? Asked about to understand whether any experiences involve psychosis.
An experience of unreality or detachment from one's own mind, self, or body.
okay, but what does that mean?
Feeling like you're watching yourself from outside, or like you aren't quite real.
An experience of unreality or detachment from one's surroundings.
okay, but what does that mean?
The world feels fake, foggy, dreamlike or far away.
The process of distinguishing between conditions that share similar features.
okay, but what does that mean?
The list of possibilities a clinician is weighing — and the work of figuring out which, if any, fits.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? If they mention 'the differential', they're explaining what they're considering, not concluding.
A disruption in the usual integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception or behavior.
okay, but what does that mean?
Feeling disconnected — from your body, your surroundings, your memory, or yourself.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? They may ask if you ever 'lose time' or feel detached, especially when stressed.
Difficulty managing the intensity, duration, or expression of emotional responses.
okay, but what does that mean?
Feelings that come in very strong, last a long time, or come out in ways that are hard to control.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? It shows up in many conditions (and in stressed humans), so it's asked about broadly.
Difficulties with executive functions such as planning, initiating, organizing, switching tasks, and working memory.
okay, but what does that mean?
Knowing what you need to do and still being stuck starting, switching, or finishing.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? Relevant to ADHD, autism, depression and more.
A perception — hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling or tasting — that occurs without an external source.
okay, but what does that mean?
Sensing something that isn't there for others.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? Asked routinely; many causes exist, including sleep loss and medical issues.
A distinct period of elevated, expansive or irritable mood and increased energy, less severe than mania and without major impairment or psychosis.
okay, but what does that mean?
A stretch of feeling unusually 'up', energetic or wired — noticeable, but not as extreme as mania.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? Questions about periods of little sleep plus lots of energy help clinicians consider bipolar spectrum conditions.
An unwanted, involuntary thought, image or urge that enters the mind and often feels distressing or out of character.
okay, but what does that mean?
A thought that pops in uninvited and feels like the opposite of who you are. Having one doesn't mean you want it.
A distinct period of abnormally elevated, expansive or irritable mood and increased energy, severe enough to cause marked impairment, hospitalization, or psychosis.
okay, but what does that mean?
A much more intense version of hypomania that seriously disrupts life.
Consciously or unconsciously suppressing or camouflaging traits to fit social expectations, often discussed in autism and ADHD.
okay, but what does that mean?
Performing 'normal' — hiding how you naturally think, move or react so you blend in. Often exhausting.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? Masking can make traits harder to spot, so evaluators may ask how you act in private versus public.
Persistent suspicion or mistrust that others intend harm, which may range from mild to delusional.
okay, but what does that mean?
Feeling like people are against you or out to get you, more than the situation seems to explain.
A working diagnosis made when more information is needed to confirm it.
okay, but what does that mean?
Their best current understanding — expected to be revisited.
A state involving loss of contact with reality, typically including hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking.
okay, but what does that mean?
When the brain has trouble telling what's real. It's a symptom with many possible causes — not a diagnosis by itself.
To gather information to determine whether a possible condition does or does not fit.
okay, but what does that mean?
They're checking a possibility. It does not mean they've decided you have it.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? Very common phrase in evaluations.
Repetitive, passive focus on distress, its causes and its consequences.
okay, but what does that mean?
Replaying the same worries or conversations on loop without getting anywhere.
A pattern of seeing people or situations in all-good or all-bad terms, often shifting between the two.
okay, but what does that mean?
Someone is wonderful… until suddenly they're terrible. Nuance gets hard to hold under stress.
Why might I hear this during an evaluation? Often asked about in relation to relationships and personality patterns.