Fourth Edition, September 2011

Agitation/Agitated
Restless, repeated activity arising from a person’s anx-
iety or frustration. For example, the person may be un-
able to stand or sit still, and may be noticeably upset. It 
is important to note that a side eff ect of antipsychotic 
medication is physical restlessness, usually fi rst noticed 
as shaking in the arms and legs, which can mimic agi-
tated behaviour.
Most of these terms don’t appear in Making a 
Diff erence: An Educators Guide to Child and Youth 
Mental Health Problems, because we have tried to 
avoid the technical language that is often used by 
child and youth mental health professionals. This 
glossary is included to help you understand reports 
and discussions with mental health professionals.

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Making a Diff erence: An Educators’ Guide to Child and Youth Mental Health Problems
www.cymhin.ca
3 . 2
Glossary of terms and abbreviations
Agoraphobia 
Anxiety about being in places or situations in which 
escape might be diffi
cult or embarrassing, or in which 
help may not be available should a panic attack occur. 
The fears typically relate to venturing into the open, 
of leaving the familiar setting of one’s home, or of be-
ing in a crowd, standing in line, or travelling in a car or 
train. Although agoraphobia usually occurs as a part of 
panic disorder, agoraphobia without a history of panic 
disorder has described.
Antidepressant Medication
Medication used for the treatment of depression.
Antipsychotic Medication
Medication for the treatment of psychoses such as 
schizophrenia. These drugs tend to reduce delusions 
and hallucinations, and have a calming eff ect.
Anxiety
The apprehensive anticipation of future danger or 
misfortune accompanied by a feeling of uncomfort-
able mood or somatic symptoms of tension. The focus 
of anticipated danger may be internal or external. 
Anxiety is often distinguished from fear in that fear is a 
more appropriate word to use when there exists threat 
or danger in the real world. Anxiety is refl ective more 
of a threat that is not apparent or imminent in the real 
world, at least not to the experienced degree.