Glossary

Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal ideation, often referred to as suicidal thoughts, are recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. These thoughts can vary widely in intensity, fluctuate with time, and tend to worsen in stressful situations. People with depression and other depressive mental disorders are at a higher risk for suicidal ideation. It is also more common in people below the age of 18, with an estimated 18% of minors in the U.S. experiencing suicidal ideation at some point in their lives. 

Even though suicidal ideation is not a definitive measure of someone’s likelihood to attempt suicide, it is important to take any thoughts of suicide seriously. It is impossible to determine if someone’s thoughts of suicide will result in an attempt, so it is best to err on the side of caution and seek professional help as early as possible. Treatment for suicidal ideation includes therapy and potentially medication, only if prescribed by your doctor as self-medication can make thoughts of suicide worse. If you (or a loved one) live in the U.S. and experience suicidal ideation, you can call 988 to get over the phone support from professionals through the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Tics

Tics are sudden, quick, repetitive movements or vocalizations that the body performs involuntarily. They are categorized into two types: motor tics and vocal tics. Motor tics can manifest as shoulder shrugging, blinking, or facial contortions. Vocal tics, on the other hand, include involuntary sounds like throat clearing, grunting, or barking.

These involuntary actions are commonly associated with Tourette’s Syndrome, which is characterized by the presence of both persistent motor and vocal tics for more than a year. A similar condition, chronic tic disorder, requires the presence of either motor or vocal tics (but not both) for at least a year. Tic disorders are fairly common in children, with approximately 1 in every 50 children experiencing some form of the disorder.

TMS or rTMS

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to influence electrical activity in the brain. The magnets in the device are switched rapidly on and off, creating a series of pulses that can be adjusted in strength, frequency, and targeted area of the brain. These pulses can influence the electrical activity of brain cells and neurons.

Due to its ability to modulate brain activity, TMS can be used as a treatment for various neurological and mental health conditions. It has shown effectiveness in treating major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The noninvasive nature of TMS makes it a viable option for patients who may not respond to other forms of treatment.

Tolerance

Tolerance refers to the diminishing effects of a substance that result from repeated use. It’s the body’s natural response to a foreign substance, which it may view as a “poison” to be resisted and processed. This is why people who take prescription drugs, such as painkillers, often find that they need progressively larger doses to achieve the original effects. The body grows accustomed to the substance, which can be beneficial in some cases but also decreases the effectiveness of helpful medications over time. Individual tolerance levels can vary based on factors like age, stature, medical history, and genetics.

When the body continuously ingests and processes a substance, it eventually requires the substance just to feel normal, rather than for relief, pleasure, or tranquility. This state can lead to withdrawal if the substance is not taken for a prolonged period. Withdrawal is a common issue with substances like opioids, and its symptoms can include headaches, stomach cramps, nausea, and insomnia.