Acronym Corner: Mental Health

Listening to a bunch of acronyms can feel like trying to make sense of a bowl of alphabet soup! Once too many unfamiliar acronyms get strung together, the output becomes a murky, confusing mess where the letters don't quite spell out anything we understand. 

While acronyms can often save time with internal communications, it is crucial for Wraparound providers to practice speaking everyone's language and develop a discerning ear in order to act as translators for families and the agencies supporting them. Getting to know some of the common acronyms can make things a lot easier! 

Here are a few shorthand terms from the world of mental health (sometimes shortened to MH, by the way!). 

• ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder: This is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people interact, communicate, learn and behave. Everyone with Autism is unique, so their experiences vary widely. 
• ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder: This is a neurodevelopmental disorder that makes it hard for people to concentrate. Unlike ADHD, it does not include symptoms like impulsiveness or hyperactivity. 
• ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Another neurodevelopmental disorder, ADHD includes symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, which can affect someone's daily life and development. 

• DMDD - Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: This affects children and teens who often feel very irritable, angry, and have intense temper outbursts that are more extreme than that of their peers. 
• MDD - Major Depressive Disorder: Also known as clinical depression, this mental illness brings a persistent feeling of sadness, low self-esteem, and a loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable. 
• PDA – Pathological Demand Avoidance: This is presented most often by people with Autism and can involve extreme behaviors to avoid or ignore anything they perceive as a demand. 

By learning these acronyms, you will be better equipped to navigate the world of mental health and support those around you. Happy learning! 

If you have a suggestion for an acronym that needs to be shared, please submit it to Tamara Trejos at tvtrejos@ucdavis.edu to be featured in an upcoming newsletter! 

Read additional articles from this issue of the Wraparound Connections Newsletter!