The stage at which a young person develops secondary sex characteristics.
Stressor
Something that causes stress.
Chemical Dependency
A disease related to substance abuse in which a person experiences negative physical, mental, and emotional effects related to drug use but continues to use the
Social Anxiety Disorder
A disorder in which a person has excessive anxiety about social situations.
Postpartum Depression
Depression experienced after the birth of a child.
Person-centered care
Care that emphasizes the individuality of the person who needs care and revolves around that person’s preferences, choices, and dignity.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A mental health disorder caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event or series of events.
Stress
The state of being frightened, excited, confused, in danger, or irritated.
Chickenpox
A highly contagious, viral illness that was once very common among children; the varicella-zoster vaccine has greatly reduced the number of cases of this illnes
Holistic Care
A type of care that involves caring for the whole person—including the person’s physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs.
Substance Abuse
The repeated use of legal or illegal substances in a way that is harmful to oneself or others.
Mental Health
The normal functioning of emotional and intellectual capabilities.
Major depressive disorder/depression:
A type of depressive disorder that causes pain, fatigue, apathy, sadness, irritability, anxiety, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite, as well as other symptoms;
Hallucination
A false or distorted sensory perception.
Phobia
An intense, irrational fear of or anxiety about an object, place, or situation.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
A developmental disability that causes differences in a person’s social interactions and communication.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
A condition in which babies stop breathing and die for no known reason while asleep.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
A disorder characterized by recurring intrusive behavior or thoughts that cause anxiety or stress.
Spina Bifida
A developmental disability caused when part of the backbone is not well developed a birth; literally means split spine.
Bulimia
An eating disorder in which a person eats large amounts of foods or very fattening foods, and then eliminates the food by vomiting, using laxatives, or exercisi
Psychosocial Needs
Needs that involve social interaction, emotions, intellect, and spirituality.
Anxiety
Uneasiness, worry, or fear, often about a situation or condition.
Physiological Needs
Needs that relate to the processes and activities that keep living things alive.
Bipolar Disorder
A mental health disorder that causes a person to swing from periods of deep depression (a depressive episode) to periods of extreme activity (a manic episode).
Defense Mechanism
An unconscious behavior used to release tension or cope with stress.
Grief
Deep distress or sorrow over a loss.
Down syndrome
A developmental disability that occurs when an extra number 21 chromosome is present; can cause different degrees of intellectual disability and physical sympto
Cerebral Palsy
A developmental disability caused by brain damage while in the uterus or during birth; can cause both physical and mental disabilities.
Leukemia
A form of cancer in which the body’s white blood cells are unable to fight disease.
Schizophrenia
A type of psychotic disorder that causes problems with thinking, communication, and the ability to manage emotions, make decisions, and understand reality.
Intellectual disability
The most common developmental disability; people with intellectual disability develop at a below-average rate and have below-average mental functioning.
Menopause
The end of menstruation; occurs when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 months.
Anorexia
An eating disorder in which a person does not eat or exercises excessively to lose weight.
Hospice care
Holistic, compassionate care given to people who have approximately six months or less to live.
Developmental disability
Disability that is present at birth or emerges during childhood, up to age 22, and restricts physical and/or mental ability.
Premature
Term used to describe babies who are born before 37 weeks’ gestation (more than three weeks before the due date).
Terminal illness
A disease or condition that will eventually cause death.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
An anxiety disorder that is characterized by chronic anxiety and worry, even when there is no cause for these feelings.
Delusion
A persistent false belief.
Chronic
In relation to an illness, long-term or long-lasting, requiring ongoing management of symptoms.
Panic Disorder
Disorder characterized by a person having regular panic attacks or living with chronic anxiety about having another attack.
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