ShareWell Glossary

Acceptance means being able to choose when and how you respond rather than letting other people's thoughts, feelings or behaviors determine your response. Acceptance does not necessarily mean resignation or rejection. Resignation is when you accept that a situation cannot be changed and you move on with your life, while rejection means that you refuse to accept the reality of what has happened. Acceptance is letting go of judgments, expectations, and preconceived notions.

Active listening is the process of deeply concentrating on hearing what is said, and using a number of strategies to understand the message completely. Active listening involves listening with your whole body and mind, not just your ears. Active listening reinforces good communication, by encouraging both parties to express themselves fully. It also builds confidence and reduces arguments by helping you to understand someone else's point of view. Developing active listening skills can help you to think more clearly, to improve your relationships, and to reduce stress.

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition affecting children and teens. It is estimated that 5% of all children have ADHD at some point in their lives; however, many more are undiagnosed and untreated. ADHD can be hard to diagnose because there are so many signs and symptoms of the disorder that look different from one person to another. ADHD is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), and in some cases, are overly active.

Anxiety is the body's natural response to stress. The adrenal glands, located just below your kidneys, release adrenaline and cortisol when you're under stress. These hormones are released in order to help you deal with a threat or danger. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting nearly 40 million American adults. The causes of anxiety disorders aren't fully understood. It's likely that a combination of factors is involved, including genetics and brain chemistry, life events like divorce or job loss and stress. A person with social anxiety disorder may avoid speaking in public situations because they fear being judged negatively by others.

Attachment theory is a psychological development model that was developed by British psychologist John Bowlby in the 1940s. Attachment theory states that infant and child development are shaped by early experiences with caregivers, which can affect their ability to form healthy relationships as adults. The theory proposes that infants have an innate need for attachment with their primary caregiver in order to survive and grow up healthy. In the 1970s, American psychologist Mary Ainsworth developed the Strange Situation Protocol. The Strange Situation is a series of experiments that are used to identify different types of attachment styles. It involves observing mothers interacting with their infants while they're away from their home environment and then interpreting what you see (or don't see) in terms of how it affects your understanding about how children develop healthy relationships with others. Ainsworth proposed three different attachment styles based on how infants respond when separated from their primary caregivers: secure attachment, insecure-avoidant attachment and insecure-ambivalent attachment.

Boundaries are your limits, rules and where you set the line for how people treat you. Boundaries are not just physical; they can be emotional, mental, spiritual and sexual. Boundaries can be set in all areas of your life.

Chronic pain is a condition that lasts for more than three months. It’s an extremely complex condition that affects millions of Americans every day. Chronic pain can be caused by an injury or surgery, arthritis, fibromyalgia and many other diseases. It’s estimated that one in four Americans will experience chronic pain at some point in their lives. Chronic pain affects the nervous system and can cause stiffness, swelling and muscle spasms. There are two types of chronic pain: common and uncommon. Common chronic pain issues include tendinopathy, musculoskeletal (soft tissue) pain, back pain (lower), arthritis and cancer-related nerve or migraine headaches. Uncommon chronic pain issues can include back pain in the upper region; shoulder problems; neck injuries; fibromyalgia syndrome/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); interstitial cystitis/fibrositis; temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMJ dysfunction. Chronic pain management is complex because there are many different types with different causes and treatments available but no one treatment works for everyone.

Cluster B personality disorders are a set of personality disorders that can be challenging and problematic. People with cluster B personalities are often manipulative and seek to control others. They tend to be aggressive, angry, and irritable. They may also be self-centered and grandiose in feeling that they are more important than everyone else around them. The term "cluster B" refers to the fact that there are four main groups: Narcissistic Personality Disorder Narcissists are often self-centered and are only concerned with their own needs. They have a grandiose sense of self-importance and entitlement, which can lead them to exploit others for their own gain. People with narcissistic personality disorder lack empathy, tend to be exploitative and manipulative, and may engage in unethical behavior to get what they want. Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is a personality disorder that can be defined by a pattern of disregard for the rights of others. This can include such behaviors as lying, stealing and manipulating others to achieve personal gain. It also includes being cold-blooded and callous, even in situations where it's not necessary to do so. ASPD is similar to narcissistic personality disorder, but the difference is that ASPD is more severe and less stable. People with this condition may lack empathy or remorse towards other people; they may commit violent crimes without feeling any guilt about it; they tend not to care about their appearance or personal hygiene; they often have high levels of anxiety but don't seek help because they don't realize how serious their condition actually is. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental illness that can be serious and debilitating. It's most often diagnosed in women and affects about 1 percent of the population. People with BPD may have intense fear of abandonment, unstable relationships—and impulsive behavior. They may also be manipulative and seek to control others. Histrionic personality disorder Histrionic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which a person has an excessive need for attention and displays over-the-top behaviors to get it. People with histrionic personality disorder are usually very dramatic, emotional, and attention-seeking.

Co-dependency is a pattern of behavior in which one person enables another person. The other partner is often known as the "co-dependent." Codependency can be found in relationships where there is abuse or addiction. Some co-dependent people are more likely than others to become dependent on their partners because of their own self-esteem issues. In codependent relationships, one partner will turn to the other partner for their happiness instead of seeking it within themselves. Codependency can be found in relationships where there is abuse or addiction. Because codependent people generally want someone else to tell them how they should think, feel, or act, they are highly prone to mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.

Coercive control is a form of psychological abuse. It's difficult to identify coercive control once you're in the relationship, because it can be very gradual and subtle. Coercive control is a sign of an unhealthy relationship. The abuser's goal is to make the victim feel like they are powerless, and this can have devastating effects on self-esteem. A person in coercive control may isolate their partner from friends and family members as well as prevent them from having contact with people outside of their intimate relationship. Coercive control can be as dangerous as physical and emotional abuse. It is a form of control that involves the use of intimidation, harassment, and/or fear to keep you in line. This includes: Being told what to do or who to see Being threatened with harm if you disobey their commands Being isolated from family members or friends (especially children)

Compassion is defined as a feeling that relates to suffering and involves an authentic desire to alleviate another's suffering or a friendly and considerate disposition. The word 'compassion' originates from the Latin word for "suffering together," which refers to being present with someone else during times of adversity. This can mean showing support or offering comfort when someone hurts, allowing them to vent about their emotions without judgment or analyzing what's going on in their own life at the time

Coping skills are the tools you use to manage difficult emotions, traumatic events or toxic relationships. Coping skills are healthy ways to deal with difficult emotions and can help you avoid unhealthy habits and behaviors.

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition that develops after someone experiences a traumatic event. It can be caused by any number of different types of experiences and circumstances, including military combat and sexual assault. Complex post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as CPTSD, is often diagnosed in people who experience significant and repeated trauma over time.

Denial is a temporary defense mechanism that can be used to protect a person from negative emotions. It is often used as a way of coping with stressful situations, trauma or abuse. Denial is a normal response to trauma and trauma-related stress and is not a mental health problem in itself. However, denial can lead to avoidance of taking responsibility, delusion and/or inability to change as the root cause is never addressed. The first step in overcoming denial is recognizing it for what it is: an attempt to avoid reality by avoiding thinking about the feelings or experiences.

Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects millions of Americans. In fact, it’s the leading cause of disability worldwide. It can take many forms, from persistent depression to bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder (sometimes called clinical depression). Depression can be caused by many factors, including genetics and biological traits. It may also be influenced by environmental factors such as stressful life events or a lack of support from family members or friends.

Emotional abuse can be hard to recognize because it encompasses behavior that we've been socially conditioned to think is normal. It also includes more subtle forms of abuse, like withholding love and affection. The most common form of emotional abuse is controlling behavior. Emotional abusers use manipulation to exert control over their partners and exploit their victims' insecurities. Another common form of emotional abuse is gaslighting—using tactics like lying or making false accusations to confuse or manipulate someone into believing they are crazy or imagining things that are not happening Emotional abuse can be hard to recognize because it often goes unnoticed. However, emotional abusers use their victims' emotions against them by manipulating those emotions to exert control over their victims. They may do this by withholding love and affection, ignoring a partner's needs, or making unreasonable demands of the other person.

Emotional regulation is the ability to identify, recognize, and manage emotions. It’s about being able to influence which emotions you have, when you have them, and how intensely you experience them.

Financial abuse is a form of interpersonal violence that occurs when one intimate partner has control over the other's access to financial resources, which diminishes the victim's capacity to support himself or herself and forces him or her to depend on the perpetrator financially. It is also known as economic abuse or financial exploitation. Financial abuse is a form of control. The perpetrator uses the victim's money and assets to exert power over them, usually with the goal of gaining and maintaining control over the victim. Financial abuse can be subtle and hard to detect—it often occurs in silence, without obvious signs of wrongdoing. Victims may feel embarrassed or ashamed about speaking up because they fear being judged by others as needing help or being weak; this may lead them not only to stay silent but also try their best not to discuss their situation at all with anyone outside their home environment (such as medical professionals). In addition, victims may feel ashamed about having financial problems due partly because they believe they are responsible for these difficulties alone while also believing that they deserve better treatment than what they receive from an abuser who controls access resources such as bank accounts.

Flow is a state of intense focus, full involvement and enjoyment in a person’s chosen activity. It is often described as being in the zone, or being in the flow. Flow has been described by psychologists as “being completely focused on what you are doing at that moment, with all your attention there…[and] giving yourself to that activity fully and completely”.

Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that's seen in abusive relationships. It's the way that abusers manipulate victims, twisting the truth and denying they ever said or did things, even when there are witnesses and evidence to the contrary. Gaslighters use fear tactics like intimidation and threats against their victims (or potential victims) in order to make them doubt themselves. Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse that uses tactics to convince an individual that they're not in control of their own actions or feelings. It's also known as "gaslighting" because the person being gaslighted may begin to question their own sanity.

Gray Rock is a way to set boundaries and avoid conflict. It refers to a person becoming as disengaged, unresponsive and neutral as possible in all their interactions with another person – essentially mimicking a “gray rock”. If you find yourself being emotionally or abused by another person and cannot go No Contact, Gray Rock may be able to help you alleviate the abuse.

Lived experience refers to a firsthand life experience.. Lived experience can help people connect with each other and share their stories. It is an important part of recovery because it helps people understand what others feel and think about living with these kinds of conditions.

Mindfulness is the practice of being aware without judgment. It’s a state of active, open attention on the present. Mindfulness is a skill that can be learned, practiced and improved. The benefits of mindfulness can be felt in many areas of life, from managing stress and anxiety to improving mental and physical health.

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition that causes people to think, act and feel in ways that are harmful to themselves and to others. Narcissists can be charming and manipulative, but they also tend to have grandiose ideas of their importance, achievements or attractiveness.People with narcissistic personality disorder usually do not realize or believe that they have a mental health problem. They may believe they are superior beings who deserve special treatment. Narcissistic personality disorder is not considered a mental illness by all experts, but rather a collection of behaviors that have been grouped together because they tend to occur together in those who have narcissistic tendencies (for example: all-or-nothing thinking; excessive self-confidence). People with narcissistic personality disorder usually do not realize or believe that they have a mental health problem. Narcissists often lack empathy for other people's feelings and experiences—a condition called “asymmetry” (meaning one person has strong feelings while the other doesn't). The exact cause of narcissistic personality disorder is unknown, but experts believe it is related to a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is an extreme form of narcissism. There is no cure for NPD but psychotherapy can help understand and manage symptoms.

No contact means cutting off all communication with the narcissist in your life. No contact is not meant to be a punishment—it's about creating a new balance of power and practicing self-care.

Panic attacks are a common mental health problem that many people experience. The symptoms of panic attacks can vary from person to person, but they tend to include feelings of terror and intense anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, shortness of breath and nausea. Some people experience these symptoms only when they're exposed to situations that trigger their anxiety (such as being in public places where there are crowds). Others may have repeated episodes over time because their nervous system is constantly readjusting itself after each one occurs. People experience panic attacks in different ways. People with panic disorder experience many different types of panic attacks, ranging from mild to severe. Some people only have one type of panic attack while others may experience many different types of attacks over time.

Positive psychology is a field of study that uses empirical research to explore what makes people happier. The goal of positive psychology is to help people be more resilient, successful and fulfilled. Positive psychology explores the “science of happiness.” It's a science-based approach to well-being that looks at positive emotions, strengths and character traits as determinants of better health, personal fulfillment and success at work. Positive psychologists believe that people can be trained to strengthen their positive traits; they also believe that we each have unique strengths—and these strengths allow us to achieve our goals in life by using them more effectively than other people do when they try to achieve similar goals.

Trauma bonding is a type of emotional and/or physical attachment that occurs when someone experiences extreme trauma. Trauma bonders feel an intense need to connect with someone else in order to cope with the overwhelming stress they are experiencing. This can lead to feelings of love, dependence, and even obsession, but it should not be considered as a healthy bond.

Triangulation is a tactic used by manipulators, narcissists and gaslighters to instill jealousy and uncertainty. It is often used by a narcissist to describe the other people in the relationship as the abusers so that they can focus on those mistakes while obscuring their own actions. The triangle is a form of manipulation where one is unsure who is telling the truth