Dictionary

lithium: An element that can be used as a medication to stabilize mood disorders by shifting the levels of water and electrolytes.

malnourished: The state in which your body lacks the proper food and nutrients it needs to sustain itself.

mania: A severe medical condition characterized by extremely elevated mood, energy and unusual thought patterns.

manic depression: A psychiatric disorder in which mood oscillates between mania (extreme elation) and depression (intense sadness). While some people who suffer from bipolar disorder have extreme episodes, other cases are more mild.

manic-depressive disorder: Another term for bipolar disorder.

major-depressive disorder: Another name for clinical depression.
 
medical complications: An unfavorable evolution of a disease, health condition or medical treatment. This can result in a PTSD case.
 
melatonin: A sleep-related hormone that has been linked to depression.
 
mood disorder: A condition whereby the prevailing emotional mood is distorted or inappropriate to the circumstances.

mood stabilizer: A medication used to treat psychiatric disorders, namely bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, to suppress extreme personality rages. Medications that are mood stabilizers fall into the class of anticonvulsants (i.e. medications that treat seizures).

mortality rate: The amount of death in a given group of people. The mortality rate is generally represented as the number of deaths per 1,000 people of the given group.

muscle atrophy: The continual shrinkage of muscle mass and weight due to a lack of use or a disease.
 
music therapy: An established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages.
 
neglect: To leave someone uncared for or something undone. Such as when a parent does not provide proper treatment for their children.
 
neurotransmitter: A chemical in the brain, such as serotonin or norepinephrine, that sends signals to nerves or other cells letting the body know that it should perform a specific function.

oversleeping: A symptom of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) that involves the patient sleeping more than he or she should.