Short and Sweet: a Glossary of Frequently Used Terms

Savant Syndrome: a condition in which a person with a mental disability exhibits prodigious or exceptional talent in one particular subject area (such as music, writing, mathematics, or art)

Savant: a person of profound or extensive learning; a scholar

Bipolar Disorder: a depressive disorder formally known as Manic Depression; the patient alternates between periods of mania--characterized by highs in mood, decreased need for sleep--and depression--characterized by feelings of sadness, loss of ambition, and increased tiredness

Depression: a psychiatric condition of debilitating emotional dejection and withdrawal

Anxiety: a psychiatric condition that entails extreme worrying disproportionate to a situation

Existential Depression: a form of depression that arises when an individual confronts certain basics of human existence ("Why am I even here?")

Existentialism: a philosophical movement that emphasizes existence, free will, and personal choice

Gifted: having exceptional talent or ability

Intelligence: one's ability to acquire knowledge or skills

DSM 5: the most recent diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders--used to diagnose psychiatric conditions

More definitions to come soon
Updated 11/7


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