"There are plenty of dictionaries and reference sources online. So why re-invent the wheel!?"

However, when I visited some of these sites to research terms and definitions, I began to feel a little challenged or frustrated to find a wide range of words, ideas, difficult clinical terms, and daisy-chain explanations, which often tended to use the term to define itself. Economy of words is thus one of the great shortcomings of dictionary resources--they hate to repeat themselves.

I imagined, as a result, an index of terms and plain talk explanations, as opposed to official and rigidly correct stuff. I wanted some way to make the terms more meaningful and more useable within the scope of the bipolar/dual diagnosed support groups and conversation.

The explanation of a term as I have given below is not always the definition, is not always clinically accurate, and is rarely the officially accepted version. The explanations this lexicon gives are intended to describe or "give a feel for" the use of the term. I welcome suggestions, input, criticism, and new terms. Just remember that the whole purpose for this reference resource is to give a better understanding of terms, ideas, and expressions. If you have trouble understanding, then that should suggest the need for change or improvement; so speak up when you have a problem.  CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE

abnormal psychology:    the study and treatment of behaviors that are considered [clinically or medically] unlike behaviors of a general population or people; the term "abnormal psychology" suggests a study of behavior which tends to look for underlying physical or "pathological" causes. –Please see a medical dictionary or a doctor for a more accurate explanation–

absent:    gone, undetectable, detached.

absence:    not being there; detachment.

abstain:    avoid using mind or mood altering substances.

abstinence:    conscious avoidance of the use of mind or mood altering substances.

abuse:    use people, places, things (e.g. drugs or alcohol), and events to excess or in a way which tends to be willful, painful, or destructive

abusive:    using people, places, things, and events to excess or in a way which tends to be willful, painful, or destructive,

acceptance:    Belief in true or factual relationships; taking things as they are; deliberately avoiding an effort to change things which one cannot change.

acid:    LSD; a drug which excites the central nervous system.

active alcoholic:    an alcoholic who has alcohol in his/her body.

active substance abuse:    current and ongoing use of mood or mind altering substances to excess or in a which tends to be willful, painful, or destructive.

active user:    a substance user who has mind or mood changing chemicals in his/her body.

addiction:    a progressive or increasing state of mind which tends to crave a mood altering or mind altering substance.

admission:    confession, telling the truth about one's self.

admit:    confess, tell the truth about one's self.

adverse:    unwanted, negative, destructive.

affective disorder:    a state of mind or mental disease which causes extreme emotions, moods, attitudes, or actions.

agitation:    unmanageable disturbance or disruption of thought or action; an increasing level of unwanted activity.

AIDS:    a body's weakened resistance to disease due to the presence of a virus called HIV.

Al-Anon:    a support group for the family and friends of alcoholics.

alcohol:    ethyl alcohol; a mood altering substance which acts generally to slow or inhibit brain activity; sedative.

alcohol abuse:    using alcohol to excess or in a way which tends to be willful, painful, or destructive.

alcohol dependence:    a state of mind which demands the use of alcohol to ease mental, emotional, physical, or social discomfort.

alcoholic:    a person who cannot take one drink of alcohol without an immediate and uncontrollable craving for more alcohol.

Alcoholics Anonymous:    a support and recovering group for alcoholics.

alcoholism:    a progressive or increasing state of mind which, after one drink, tends uncontrollably to crave more alcohol.

amphetamine:    upper; a group of drugs which stimulates the central nervous system.

Antabuse:    a drug prescribed to discourage use of alcohol.

antidepressant:    a drug which acts to limit or reduce the chemical process in the brain which contributes to depression.

antipsychotic:    a drug which acts generally to slow or inhibit brain activity; tranquillizer.

anxiety:    mental or physical discomfort arising from an inability to cope with or accept people, places, things, or events.

assess:    to measure; to compare to accepted guidelines; to qualify for treatment.

assessment:    measurement; comparison; qualification.

attention deficit:    unusual tendency to distraction; inability to maintain focus on or connection to thoughts, events, or activities.

axis I:    assessment or diagnosis of an affective disorder based mainly on behavioral and emotional symptoms; a diagnosis which tends to respond to conventional treatment.

axis II:    assessment of permanent mental, emotional, or behavioral conditions which may limit or prevent effective treatment for the axis I affective disorder.

axis III:    assessment of general medical conditions (physical, mental, or emotional) which may limit or prevent effective treatment for the axis I or axis II conditions.

axis IV:    assessment of physical, social, cultural, and financial conditions as well as other specific conditions of environment which may limit or prevent effective treatment for axis I, axis II, or axis III conditions.

axis V:    rating from 0 to 100 the affected person's ability to interact with or deal with people, events, and environment (e.g. relationships, jobs, physical limitations).

behavior:    observable response or reaction to people, places, things, and events.

behavior modification:    an effort to change or refine one's response to people, places, things, or events.

behavioral:    implies a relationship or connection of a specific reaction or a specific response to specific persons, places, things, or events.

behaviorist:    a person who studies the relationship of specific reactions or of specific responses to specific people, places, things or events.

belief:    faith or expectation that a specific action or event will give an anticipated result.

binge:    periodic overindulgence; periodic, deliberate, excessive, short term use of mind or mood altering substances; intentionally seeking extreme short term intoxication.

binge drinking:    periodic, deliberate, excessive, short term use of alcohol; intentionally seeking fast and extreme short term intoxication (.08% concentration in blood tests).

biphasic:    [bipolar] cycling, swinging, or "switching" switching [four or more times per year] between mania and depression without an intervening period of euthymic, normal, or balanced mood.

bipolar:    manic-depressive; demonstrating extreme mood swings ranging from manic (exhilarated, energetic, positive, imaginative, optimistic) to depressed (fatigued, lethargic, negative, unimaginative, pessimistic).

bipolar affective disorder:    a diagnosed state of mental or physical ill health which causes or affects extreme mood swings ranging from manic (exhilarated, energetic, positive, imaginative, optimistic) to depressed (fatigued, lethargic, negative, unimaginative, pessimistic).

bipolar disorder:    (also manic-depressive disorder): a diseased or dysfunctional state of mind suggested by extreme mood swings ranging from manic (exhilarated, energetic, positive, imaginative, optimistic) to depressed (fatigued, lethargic, negative, unimaginative, pessimistic).

blackout:    loss of awareness or recollection of a specific event or period of time due to substance abuse.

buffer:    a device or means of intervention used to slow down or moderate an event or to delay an outcome (e.g. a marriage counselor); insulation or protection against a harmful consequence (e. g. emergency treatment).

central nervous system:    the network of cells that allows the brain and the body to communicate with each other; brain and spinal cord.

chronic:    lingering or repeating [event or condition]; sometimes hard-wired or permanent [event or condition].

clinical:    science as applied to people, places, things, and events; generally accepted, generally applied, and generally consistent, professional [standards and practices]; controlled and qualified [human problem solving];

clinician:    one who solves problems and applies answers by using generally accepted, generally applied, and generally consistent professional standards and practices; one who solves or remedies human problems in a controlled and qualified environment.

cocaine:    a substance, derivative of the coca plant, which stimulates the central nervous system and tends to induce feelings of pleasure.

cognition:    self-awareness; awareness of the symptoms, indicators, and impact of one's own thoughts, motives, actions, moods, and emotions.

cognitive therapy:    a professionally supervised effort to improve one's awareness of the symptoms, indicators, and impact of one's own thoughts, motives, actions, moods, and emotions; a clinical effort to change or refine one's perception, beliefs, or reason.

compare:    critically evaluate the difference between one's self and other persons; critically evaluate the difference between one person and another, one place and another, one thing and another, one event and another.

compel:    apply irresistible force, reason, or pressure.

compulsion:    strong or irresistible reason or impulse; the application of irresistible force or pressure.

confidence:    faith reinforced by knowledge and experience.

confront:    offer resistance to the opposing force of change, belief, ideas, fear, opinion or physical barriers.

confrontation:    resistance to the opposing force of change, belief, ideas, fear, opinion or physical barriers.

control:    an effort to secure or force a specific outcome for a specific event or action; an effort to secure or force a specific person to act or think in a specific way; apply power to limit or direct a person, place, thing, or event.

controlled drinking:    an effort to moderate or limit one's use of alcohol.

controlled substance:    a mind or mood altering substance which is legally defined, legally produced and regulated, and which is generally available only through legalized sources.

controlled use:    an effort to moderate or limit one's use of a mind or mood altering substance.

convulsions:    spontaneous and uncontrollable muscle contractions associated with or connected to the abuse of mind or mood altering substances.

coping:    managing, minimizing, or tolerating the discomfort presented by people, places, things, or events.

counsel:    advice and direction.

counselor:    a disinterested and well-practiced listener who provides a trustworthy source of advice and direction.

crack:    purified cocaine.

crave:    to have an overwhelming desire to use mind or mood altering substances combined with lack of self control.

craving:    lack of self-control combined with an overwhelming desire to use mind or mood altering substances.

critical:    tending to devalue a person, place, thing, or event; arbitrary; subjective; demeaning.

cultural:    observable intellectual, altruistic, ritual, spiritual, or physical standards, values, and practices within a defined social group; connected to social values.

cure:    completely overcome or remove all symptoms, effects, and tendencies of a disease; fully restore the integrity and function of a diseased organism; a device or method which fully restores the integrity and function of a diseased organism.

cycle:    a repeating sequence of related events.

delirium:    an agitated state of mind which may include belligerence, violence, rage, and impaired perception.

delusion:    belief or conviction which is based on faulty reasoning, plausible lies, desperate expectations, or distorted perception.

delusional:    dependent or tending to act upon a belief or conviction which is based on faulty reasoning, plausible lies, desperate expectations, or distorted perception.

dementia:    a persistent loss or impairment of the mental ability to deal reasonably or normally with people, places, and events.

denial:    effort to ignore or discount a fact or a truth; emotional dependence on an obvious lie or a system of obvious lies; stubborn refusal to take action.

dependence:    giving responsibility for one's well-being to a person, place, thing, or event over which one has no effective control; habitual enslavement.

dependent:    having given responsibility for one's well-being to a person, place, thing, or event over which one has no effective control; enslaved by habits.

depressant:    a substance which worsens depression or which induces or worsens the brain chemistry associated with depression.

depression:    a state of mind which may cause a person to feel fatigued, lethargic, negative, unimaginative, pessimistic, hopeless, isolated, useless, disconnected, ambivalent, despondent, or even suicidal; a state of negative emotions often characterized by low self esteem, self destructive thoughts and behavior, desperation, and hopeless or passive attitudes.

depressive:    tending to induce or aggravate a state of mind which may cause a person to feel fatigued, lethargic, negative, unimaginative, pessimistic, hopeless, isolated, useless, disconnected, ambivalent, despondent, or even suicidal.

designer drug:    an illegal or uncontrolled mind or mood altering substance or drug which mimics the effects of a similar controlled substance.

desire:    longing to satisfy a specific need or want; tendency to seek specific self-gratification.

despondent:    without hope; persistently sad.

detox:    [detoxification] a process to counteract a mind or mood altering substance, or to remove a mind or mood altering substance (usually alcohol) from affected body tissue –a process which often also demands life monitoring or life support measures.

diagnosis:    a process which identifies the cause of disease or symptoms of disease.

dilated pupils:    persistent and unusual increase in the size of the opening of the iris due to the presence of a mind or mood altering substance.

disease:    an unwanted or undesired, often destructive, condition caused by impaired, corrupted, or unhealthy body functions or body tissue.

disorder:    a disturbance or interruption of normal mental, physical, or emotional functions.

dopamine:    a chemical produced in the brain and present in regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, motivation and feelings of pleasure. –Please see a medical dictionary or a doctor for a more accurate explanation–

downers:    depressants, sedatives, tranquillizers, alcohol

drug:    a chemical substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, management, or prevention of a disease; a mind or mood altering illegal chemical substance.

drug abuse:    non-prescribed or recreational use of mind or mood altering substances

drug addiction:    a progressive or increasing state of mind or emotion which tends to crave a mood altering or mind altering substance.

drug dependence:    a mental, physical, or emotional dependence on the use of mind or mood altering substances.

drug screen:    a test for common drugs, including prescription drugs, which uses body fluids (usually blood or urine) or tissue samples for testing.

drunk:    an impaired, often euphoric state of mind or reason as a result of the use of a mind or mood altering substance (usually alcohol).

DT's:    (Delirium Tremens) an unstable condition between nerves and muscles which often presents with tremors (the shakes), nausea, muscle spasms, dizziness, and acute pain.

DUI:    driving under the influence of mind or mood altering substances; the crime of driving while intoxicated.

dysfunction:    mental, physical, or emotional inability to interact reasonably or normally with people, places, or events.

dysthymia:    despondency or depression

electroconvulsive therapy:    forcing an electric current through the brain to induce a seizure; a last resort to relieve depression when depression cannot be relieved by other forms of treatment.

emergency intervention:    a spontaneous or critically timed effort to stop or remedy an impending or ongoing crisis; reacting in an effort to force help for a person in a dangerous, critical, or life threatening situation.

emotion:    strong feeling; the first mental response to an encounter with people, places, or events.

emotional:    influenced by lingering strong feelings; a persistent state of mind which tends to react strongly to people, places, or events.

empirical evidence:    an unchangeable or undeniable object, condition, or event based on measurement, experience, observation, or documentation, which tends to demonstrate truth.

esteem:    a measure of worth or value; a feeling of regard or respect toward a person, place, or event.

etiology:    the study of the cause or origin of disease.

euphoria:    a sublime feeling of well-being, comfort, or pleasure caused by the release of certain hormones in the brain, sometimes induced by mind or mood altering substances.

euthymia:    a balanced state of mood.

evaluation:    comparison of a condition, idea, plan, or event to accepted standards, goals, or practices.

evidence:    an unchangeable or undeniable object, condition, or event which tends to demonstrate truth.

expectation:    a state of mind or emotion which tends to depend or rely on the certainty of a future event or condition.

fatigue:    strain due to persistent abuse, unusual force, or extreme exhaustion.

fatty liver:    excessive numbers of fat cells in the liver, a condition which often results from subjecting the liver to large amounts of toxic substances such as alcohol; a condition of the liver in which fat cells accumulate in numbers sufficient to reduce vital blood circulation through the liver.

flashback:    a state of mind in which a traumatic memory or experience from the past disrupts one’s present state of mind, action, or awareness of reality.

focus:    channeling one’s attention or one’s energy toward a single thought, a single event, a single activity, or a single demand.

freebase:    crack; smoke-able cocaine; to smoke crack, cocaine.

gastrointestinal:    related to any region, activity, or function within the mouth, esophagus, stomach, or intestines.

genetic:    inherited; a direct relationship between the physical properties of the parent organism and the physical properties of the offspring.

grandiose:    tending to exaggerate one’s own importance in an effort to impress others.

grandiosity:    exaggerated, often superficial or pompous and offensive speech or behavior used to enhance one’s own importance in an effort to impress others

hallucination:    an imagined, altered, or enhanced perception of an event or condition as a result of the influence of certain mind or mood altering substances; a distorted but compelling perception of an event or sensation; a state of mind in which one is seduced by one’s senses to accept that which is not true; sensory delusion.

hallucinogens:    chemical substances which induce an imagined, altered, or enhanced perception of an event or condition; mind or mood altering substances which cause a state of mind in which one is seduced by one’s senses to accept that which is not true; a substance which tends to alter, impair, or enhance the mind’s interpretation of a sensory event or condition.

helpless:    lacking the means or resources to solve a problem or to overcome a barrier.

helplessness:    critical or persistent lack of means or resources to solve a problem or overcome a barrier.

hepatic profile:    blood test for liver disease and liver functionality.

hepatitis:    infection or inflammation of the liver often caused by a virus and sometimes caused by toxic chemicals or bacteria.

heuristic:    managing a condition or event through trial and error; drawing from experience.

holistic:    managing a condition or event by managing the whole group of related conditions and events to which it belongs.

honesty:    maintaining and practicing truth in relationships with people, places, and events; sincerity.

hostility:    unfriendly and often aggressive attitudes toward others.

humble:    accepting of one’s own limitations.

humility:    recognizing one’s own limitations.

hypertension:    persistent or chronic high blood pressure.

hypnotism:    influence by suggestion over the beliefs or reactions of someone in a controlled, receptive state of consciousness.

hypo mania:    a mild extreme of mood in which one may feel excessively exhilarated, energetic, positive, imaginative, optimistic, inspired, confident, and motivated with, perhaps, unreasonable feelings of agitation.

identify:    to recognize and use similarities in others in order to see one’s own self from a true and accurate perspective.

illicit drug:    street drug; illegal or unauthorized mind or mood altering substance.

inhibition:    conscious, often conspicuous restraint (either self-imposed or externally imposed) from natural, instinctive, or normal behavior.

illness:    an undesirable, unwanted, uncomfortable, often diseased, and usually persistent state of mental, physical, or emotional function.

inpatient:    a patient admitted to a hospital or other medical facility.

insomnia:    inability to remain asleep throughout the night.

intervene:    forcefully or willfully enter into an ongoing event or condition in an attempt prevent, stop, or alter the event or condition.

intervention:    forceful or willful entry into an ongoing event or condition in an attempt prevent, stop, or alter the event or condition.

intoxication:    an altered, euphoric, or impaired state of mind or reason as a result of the use of a [toxic or poisonous] mind or mood altering substance; chemically induced excitement or pleasure sensations.

irrational:    incapable of reasonable or sensible thought or action; senseless; unable to "connect the dots."

irritability:    a state of mind or emotion in which one allows people, places, or events to have a negative and abrasive effect on one’s mood.

isolation:    separation or removal from people, places, or events.

life-threatening:    a condition or event which poses an imminent or eventual consequence of death.

liver cirrhosis:    a chronic condition of the liver in which healthy cell structures are replaced by scar tissue; irreparable damage to liver cells as a result of chronic alcohol abuse, toxins, or infection.

LSD:    lysergic acid diethylamide; acid; hallucinogen; a drug which excites the central nervous system.

malaise:    vague or elusive feeling of discomfort which accompanies the onset of illness such as a cold or flu.

management:    planned, organized, and controlled effort to achieve a specific goal such as to minimize symptoms.

mania:    a compelling, often chaotic extreme of mood in which one may feel excessively exhilarated, energetic, positive, imaginative, optimistic, inspired, confident, and motivated with, perhaps, unreasonable feelings of agitation or rage, or with delusions.

manic depressive:    bipolar; demonstrating extreme mood swings ranging from manic (exhilarated, energetic, positive, imaginative, optimistic) to depressed (fatigued, lethargic, negative, unimaginative, pessimistic).

manic:    a state of mind which causes or affects a compelling, often chaotic extreme of mood in which one may feel excessively exhilarated, energetic, positive, imaginative, optimistic, inspired, confident, and motivated with, perhaps, unreasonable feelings of agitation or rage, or with delusions. A state of mind which often triggers grandiose, driven, excessive, frenzied, controlling, or even reckless behavior.

mental illness:    Please see a medical dictionary or doctor for an accurate explanation.

mixed state:    a stressful and tense state of mind with symptoms of both mania and depression; a state of strong emotion and conflicting moods often accompanied by desperate and erratic behavior.

moderation:    a conscious effort to manage, control, or limit reactions to people, places, things, and events; an effort to maintain balance.

mood:    a persistent or prevailing attitude triggered by an identifiable emotion (e.g. fatigue triggered by sadness or pain; nervousness triggered by anger or fear; indifference triggered by self-pity or hopelessness); a state of mind which compels one to react to people, places, or events.

mood disorder:    a persistent, often recurring or chronic, state of mind in which a mood may arise spontaneously and uncontrollably without any identifiable emotional trigger; a state of mind which tends to compel one to react irrationally or unreasonably to people, places, and events.

mood swing:    a dramatic or radical change of mood, often from one mood to an opposing mood (e.g. from control to submission; resentment to forgiveness; indifference to interaction).

mood stabilizers:    medicines (often anti-seizure or anti convulsion medicine) or techniques (e.g. cognition) which help to "slow down" the onset of a mood swing or the increase of mood intensity.

morbid:    maintaining a mood, attitude, belief, or mind set that invites or accelerates ill-health, self-destruction, or death; a state of disease which suggests a general prognosis of persistent ill-health or untimely death; destructive or deadly [disease].

morbidity:    percentage of a population or group which have a specified disease or medical condition; undesired result or complication [disease or medical condition].

multiphasic:    [bipolar] cycling, or "swinging" rapidly (four times or more per year) between mania and depression with an intervening period of euthymic, normal, or balanced mood.

narcotic:    a group of addictive drugs (e.g. heroin, Oxycontin, morphine, Percocet, Demerol) which inhibit the five senses, and which tend to induce sleep and coma.

Narcotics Anonymous:    a recovery and support group for those who are addicted to mind or mood altering drugs.

negative:    practicing denial; pessimistic; refusing to recognize, acknowledge, or accept the good or the benefit in people, places, or events; "expecting the worst" outcome in any circumstance; hopeless.

network:    an easily accessed system of people and various resources which tends to increase its individual members’ ability to communicate, to "get things done", to achieve a goal, or to solve a problem.

neurological:    anything explaining the function and relationships among nerves or groups of nerves in the nervous system.

neuropathy:    a disease or abnormality of the nerves or any portion of the nervous system.

obsession:    nurturing or replaying a thought, emotion, or idea until it dominates all others, until it tends to compel or drive one to act or react unreasonably or excessively to a person, place, thing, or event. (i.e. I thought and thought about taking a drink [of alcohol] until I couldn’t get the thought out of my mind. Finally nothing else mattered except for taking a drink.)

occupational therapy:    an effort to restore or improve one’s physical ability to do things.

opiate:    an addictive and most often illegal drug obtained from the opium poppy (e.g. morphine, codeine) or a manufactured drug which has chemical properties of a drug obtained from the opium poppy (e.g. demerol).

opioid:    a manufactured drug which has chemical properties similar to a drug obtained from the opium poppy (e.g. Oxycodone).

OTC:    "over the counter"; drugs and health treatments which may be purchased legally without a prescription.

outpatient:    a person who receives medical treatment without spending the night at the treatment facility.

overdose:    [to use] more than a safe, approved, or prescribed amount of a mind or mood altering substance including pain medicine or sedatives.

pain:    physical, mental, or emotional discomfort; hurting; negative feelings.

pain relief:    removing or reducing physical, mental, or emotional discomfort; stopping or easing the hurt; blocking negative feelings.

paranoia:    lingering suspicion or mistrust for others, based on plausible lies, mis-perceived facts, or irrational thinking (delusions).

para-psychology:    the study of the relationship of mental, emotional, or behavioral states to apparent causes which may prove to be abstract, immeasurable, non-systematic, unverified, or scientifically un-validated: the study of arguable psychological relationships.

pass out:    to experience a loss or reduction of blood supply to the brain, which causes one to lose awareness or to lose consciousness and to collapse physically; to lose consciousness and to collapse due to the stress or influence of a mind or mood altering substance, a sedative(e.g. alcohol), or an anesthetic.

passion:    strong emotion; an unchained or unbridled fondness or preference for a person, place, thing, or event.

pathology:    observable and measurable relationships between the causes and effects of disease, including symptoms.

PCP:    "angel dust" (phencyclidine hydrochloride); an illegal drug which tends to induce hallucinations, which tends to cause damaging changes to the nervous system, and which tends to cause damaging or destructive changes to personality, mood, and behavior (e.g. psychosis, anxiety, mood swings); Phencyclidine.

perception:    a feeling of understanding or a tendency to "have an opinion" about something based on observation, emotion, interaction, or prior knowledge of a person, place, thing, or event (i.e. "The way I see things....); a tendency to react mentally, emotionally, and socially based on one’s belief.

peripheral neuropathy:    a diseased or altered functioning of the motor sensory nerves [to and from the brain and spinal cord]; a condition which tends to result from chronic abuse or overdose of chemical substances or alcohol, and a condition which tends to cause pain, numbness, or loss of control of muscle functions.

pharmacology:    a documented clinical study of the nature, use, properties, and effects of a drug; a written disclosure of the nature, use, properties, and effects of a drug--a disclosure supplied by the pharmacy or the drug manufacturer for doctor and patient information.

phase:    a stage of development; one point in time in a cycle or progression of related events; a word which may only be applied to an ongoing change (e.g. twelve steps or twelve "phases" to recovery; cycling between manic "phase" and depressed "phase").

physical:    something which one can see, touch, taste, smell, or feel; touchable; measurable; observable; possessing substance; something related to the body and brain [touchable] as opposed to the spirit and the mind [untouchable].

physical dependence:    [medical] a state in which the survival or function of body tissue, body organs, or mental processes is impaired or disrupted by the need for a chemically, mentally, or emotionally addictive substance [e.g. opiates, opioids, tranquillizers, sedatives, pain relievers, alcohol).

physical dependence:    [social/environmental] turning control of one’s physical, mental, or emotional survival over to the authority or power of a thing, an event, a place, or a person other than one’s self; giving up empowerment over one’s own well-being; [extreme] enslavement, imprisonment.

physical therapy:    a planned and organized, sometimes professionally managed, effort to increase or improve one’s muscle movement and strength.

physiology:    (physiological  study, documentation, and organization of the nature, properties, function, and relationships among body organs, tissue structures, and systems.

pleasure:    opposite of pain: an extreme feeling of well being or comfort, which tends to compel one to "want more" of the feeling; a state of mind resulting from a hormonal release in the brain which induces sensations of comfort, joy, confidence, power, affection, acceptance and which induces an extraordinary feeling that "all is well", good, and gratifying.

powerless:    lacking strength, resources, or authority to manage or control a person, place, thing, or event; tending to require help.

powerlessness:    a persistent, permanent, or ongoing lack of strength, resources, or authority to control a person, place, thing, or event; persistent, permanent, or ongoing tendency to require help.

prescription:    a doctor’s written permission for a patient to receive medical treatment or to obtain a controlled substance with instructions as to how to apply or use the treatment or the controlled substance.

prevention:    an active means or measure (e.g. device, medicine, treatment, procedure, or activity) used to prevent disease, injury, death, or the related danger of disease, injury, or death; extraordinary actions one takes to maintain one’s safety, well being, or survival.

professional counselor:    a disinterested and well practiced listener who is trained and accredited and, most often, paid to provide a trustworthy source of feedback and direction.

profile:    the description or identity of a person, place, thing, or event as compared to a description of a similar group of persons, places, things, or events; logical comparison.

profile:    [medical]  the description of disease, medical condition, or symptom as compared to a related group of diseases, conditions, or symptoms for the purpose of diagnosing, treating, controlling or managing the disease, condition, or symptom.

prognosis:    the logical, probable, or anticipated outcome of a disease, based on its profile and its actual response to treatment (i.e. "If left untreated, the prognosis for alcoholism is insanity, jail, or death." –Bill W.–).

psychic change:    an unreasoned, possibly unexplainable, change in attitude, beliefs, or behavior often as a result of a powerful "spiritual", intellectual, or emotional event or experience; a usually gratifying or welcome personality change of a positive nature (e.g. from  selfish to benevolent).

psychotherapy:    an effort to improve a mental health condition with professional counseling and encouragement [psychiatrist, psychologist, or professional social worker].

psychotropic:    a drug which influences perception, emotion, or behavior: mood modifying substance, generally not considered to be addictive.

psychiatrist:    [psychiatry, psychiatric] a medical doctor or medical practice under the supervision of a medical doctor who diagnoses, treats, or prevents mental illness.

psychologist:    [psychology, psychological] a professional counselor who is formally educated to understand mental illness, who is often experienced with clinical assessment and treatment of mental illness, and who is skilled and accredited to advise patients with social, emotional, behavioral, and perceptual problems.

psychotic:    [general sense] a compelling, disruptive, or unreasonable state of mental dysfunction, disease, or illness in which one is disconnected from reality (i.e. "...totally in another world.") –Please see a medical dictionary or a doctor for more accurate definition–

rapid cycling:    four or more distinct "swings" between mania and depression during a period of one year; fast and frequent mood changes over a period of from a few minutes to several weeks. –Rapid cycling appears to be a difficult symptom to identify and define, tending to differ from person to person. Please see a medical dictionary or consult with your doctorfor a more accurate explanation.–

rational:    able to think, plan, and react reasonably; a state of mind in which one’s thoughts, emotions, and behavior are based on true, valid, or factual perceptions.

research:    gathering (collecting), organizing, and analyzing facts and information related to understanding or resolving a problem.

reason:    a well considered, often logical and sometimes emotional, motive or explanation for thinking, believing, saying, or doing something.

reasoning:    using true, valid, or factual relationships as a basis for communication and problem-solving; "connecting the dots."

recovery program:    a well-informed, well-managed, consistent plan or strategy to ease or overcome the adverse or unhealthy effects of a mental, emotional, or physical event or condition [disease]; an organized plan to cure or to seek relief from disease or illness.

recovery:    the process of curing a disease, or the process of managing, minimizing, or avoiding the ill effects of a disease; an active effort to improve one’s prognosis.

rehabilitation:    restoring or improving mental, social, and occupational skills which were lost, damaged, or impaired by disease; recovering one’s integrity, self-esteem, and function; a supervised effort to improve one’s prognosis.

rehabilitation center:    a planned, controlled, and managed facility serving inpatients or clients with programs to enhance recovery and to improve mental, social, and occupational skills through education, exercise, group interaction, relevant health care, and physical and emotional support; an organized professional effort to improve one’s prognosis.

relapse:    the return of symptoms, behavior, and consequences of a disease or condition; failed recovery; change for the worse; setback or return to a previous condition.

remission:    the easing or elimination of the symptoms, behavior, or consequences of a disease or condition; a state of health in which a former disease or condition becomes well managed, well controlled, or undetectable (i.e. "I no longer experience extreme moods or mood swings as I did before.")

resentment:    a persistent or recurrent negative feeling or emotion (e.g. anger, hatred) toward specific people, places, or events.

restlessness:    a persistent inability to relax, to find peace, or to withdraw from mental, emotional, or physical demands or activities; uneasiness; compulsion to remain "on the move."

schizophrenia:    a state of mind or brain disorder (psychosis) in which one may become unusually detached or "disconnected" from people, places, or events; a condition of mind which often presents with distorted perception, hallucination, delusion, or extreme focus on one’s own thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. –Please see a medical dictionary or a doctor for a more accurate explanation.–

seclusion:    an effort to hide or to avoid the scrutiny of others; "getting away" from people, places, or events.

secretive behavior:    an effort to withhold knowledge, to hide activities, or an effort to avoid being seen, being understood, or being judged by others.

sedation:    the use of medicine to calm, subdue, or moderate one’s mental, emotional, or physical activity.

sedative:    [tranquillizer]; a medicine (e.g. chlorazepate, alcohol) used to calm, subdue, or moderate one’s mental, emotional, or physical activity.

seizure:     unusual or abnormal activity among brain cells, which may cause abnormal muscle movement (e.g. convulsions), loss of muscle movement or control, or loss of awareness. –Please see a medical dictionary or a doctor for a more accurate explanation.–

self-deprecation:    an unhealthy and persistent belief that one does not "measure up" or meet the standards of others; a negative, often destructive, comparison of one’s self to others (i.e. "I am too short. I am too ugly. I do not deserve to live.").

self-esteem:    a measure of one’s own worth or value; a feeling of regard or respect for one’s own self; meeting one’s own standards rather than the standards of others.

self help:    using one’s own talents, skills, and resources to improve one’s mental, physical, social, or emotional well-being; a self directed effort to solve one’s own problems.

self medicate:    to use mind or mood-altering substances or to use pain killers, tranquillizers, or sedatives without a prescription and without professional direction; tend to abuse chemical substances.

self treat:    unsupervised or non-professional use of methods, tools, or medicine to improve one’s prognosis, often in an effort to avoid help, criticism, or scrutiny from others; an effort often to selectively avoid or deny the whole truth about one’s mental, physical, or emotional condition.

side effects:    unwanted, unplanned, useless, and often hazardous consequences of a medication or a treatment for a disease or medical condition (i.e. "After I took the antidepressant, I began to ‘rapid cycle’. ")

snort:    to inhale a powder form of a mind or mood altering substance (e.g. cocaine).

sober:    able to live without using mind or mood altering substances; "dealing with life on life’s terms"; able to interact with people, places, and events by using reasonable, practical, and beneficial principles and beliefs.

social:   [society] describes a relationship based on sharing thoughts, emotions, and events with other people; mental, emotional, and physical "connections" between or among people.

speed:    amphetamine (upper); class of manufactured substance which increases brain and nerve activity; a mind or mood altering substance which tends to reduce feelings of fatigue, hunger, or inadequacy.

speedball:    intravenous use of a depressant combined with a stimulant (e.g. heroine with amphetamine).

statistic:    measurement and analysis of a fact, condition, or characteristic shared among a group of people, places, things, or events.

street drug:    illegally obtained mind or mood altering substance (e.g. crack).

stress:    impaired ability to react reasonably due to emotional conflict or due to the burden of dealing with opposing forces between people, place, things, or events; forcing or "bending" toward the "breaking point."

stimulant:    a chemical substance which tends to increase mental, physical [metabolic], or emotional activity (e.g. caffeine, amphetamine, cocaine); "upper."

substance abuse:    use of a mind or mood altering substance, pain killer, sedative, or tranquillizer in a way for which it was not intended, not designed, or not prescribed.

suicide:    willfully, intentionally, and knowingly killing one’s self or deliberately engaging in a practice or activity as a result of which one’s own death is certain; deliberate fatal overdose of a mind or mood altering substance.

support group:    a two or more people who regularly commit to share experience, strength, hope, and resources in an effort to provide each other comfort, encouragement, help, and direction for the purpose of solving a shared problem.

symptom:    a sign, a fact, evidence, an indicator, a clue, or a noticeable change which tends to reveal the presence of a disease or condition, or which tends to reveal the presence of a group of diseases or conditions.

tension:    an uneasy, delicate, often stressful, balance of force due to unresolved or stubborn conflict between emotions, events, people, or things (i.e. "Rapid cycling and mixed moods leave me totally confused and frustrated!"); frustration.

THC:    delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol; the primary intoxicating or mind/mood altering chemical in marijuana and hashish resin.

therapist:    a trained [licensed] and accredited person [most often paid] who applies conventional or clinical methods, tools, and techniques to improve a patient’s mental, physical, emotional, or social ability.

therapy:    an organized, managed, and controlled effort to apply conventional or clinical methods, tools, and techniques to improve a patient’s mental, physical, emotional, or social ability.

thyroid screen:    a blood test to measure functions in the thyroid gland or to detect disease in the thyroid gland.

tolerance:    [medical] the ability of body tissue and organs to manage, function, or survive high doses of chemical substances; the quantity of a mind or mood altering substance just sufficient to induce failure of mental, emotional, or physical functioning (i.e. Studies suggest that alcoholics and substance abusers may be able to function over time with higher and higher intake of the substance.); increased mental, emotional, and physical resistance to the effects of mind or mood altering chemicals.

toxic:    poisonous; chemical or biological substance which tends to damage or destroy body tissue.

toxicology:    study of the nature, effects, and detection of poisons and the treatment of poisoning; medical report of the presence of poison in one’s body tissue.

treatment:    a planned, organized, and controlled attempt to remedy or cure a disease or medical condition.

treatment center:    a facility which employs trained, accredited, qualified health professionals, professional social workers, and often trained volunteers to provide an ongoing remedy or cure for a disease or medical condition.

treatment plan:    a strategy to provide an ongoing cure or remedy for a disease or medical condition; a specified agreement or contract between a patient and the doctor, counselor, therapist, or treatment facility to apply relevant or appropriate methods, tools, and techniques to improve or to restore a patient’s mental, physical, emotional, or social ability.

treatment program:    a planned, supervised, controlled, usually ongoing, activity or group of related activities to promote or employ a remedy or cure for a disease or medical condition.

tremors:    unintentional, usually persistent, movement or rhythmic movement of muscles in "voluntary" muscle groups (e.g. hands, facial muscles, jaw, tongue)

truth:    a fact, condition, or event which remains consistent or which tends remain unchanged by time or circumstances; reality.

twelve step program:    twelve actions beginning with admitting a problem and ending with maintaining a change which overcomes the problem. For example:

ultradian cycling:    rapid cycling of an extreme nature (i.e. "Most people with rapid cycling have only four distinct mood swings in a year; but I often have one or more mood swings in a single day!).

uppers:    chemical stimulants; drugs or substances which increase brain or nerve activity (e.g. Speed, Ecstacy, Bennies–names for amphetamines, amphetamine-like drugs, and benzedrine.)

vitamin therapy:    general or often specific use of food or food chemicals to prevent, remedy, or cure a disease or medical condition.

vitamin:    one of a group of chemicals normally present in food, which assist or maintain normal tissue health and body functions.

violent:    [behavior] tending to damage or destroy: acting malevolently; destructive.

withdrawal:    an active, often painful, effort to cease one’s physical, mental, emotional, or functional dependence on a mind or mood altering substance, including alcohol, tranquillizers, sedatives, stimulants, depressants, and pain killers; a temporary or transient physical and mental condition of pain, discomfort, or trauma which results from the struggle to escape one’s dependence on mind or mood altering substances.

Thank you all for your help, support, and inspiration; and thanks to the following online reference sources: