Even though I have been reading and writing about mental health for the past 3 years, I still get confused from time to time with the overwhelming amount of acronyms used in the mental health field (job/degree titles, meds, treatment centers, etc).
THERE ARE SO MANY.
I decided to make a list of some that I have come across (DEFINITELY NOT A COMPREHENSIVE LIST- states even have their own acronyms!).
Hope this helps the people who need it!
A
ADHD- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
AN- Anorexia Nervosa
APA- American Psychological Association or American Psychiatric Association
ASD- Autism Spectrum Disorders
B
BD [have also seen BP]- Bipolar Disorder
BN- Bulimia Nervosa
BPD- Borderline Personality Disorder
C
CAS- Certificate of Advanced Study (i.e. part of school psychologist’s training)
CBT- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CD- Conduct Disorder
CIT- Crisis Intervention Team –> Get CIT trained!
D
DBT- Dialetical Behavioral Therapy
DMDD- Disruptive Mood Disregulation Disorder
DSM- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
E
EBP- Evidence Based Practice
ECT- Electroconvulsive therapy
Ed.D.- Doctor of Education degree
F
FGA- First Generation Antipsychotic
G
GAD- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
H
HAM-A- Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale
HAM-D- Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
HIPAA- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
I
IPSRT- Interpersonal social rhythm therapy
IVC- Involuntary Commitment
L
LCSW- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LMFT- Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor
LMHC- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
LP(C)C- Licensed Professional (Clinical) Counselor
^Yeah, these can get confusing. This site can help.
M
MA- Master of Arts
MD- Doctor of Medicine
MDD- Major Depressive Disorder
MH- Mental Health
MDQ- Mood Disorder Questionnaire
N
NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness
NASP- National Association of School Psychologists
NIMH- National Institute of Mental Health
NP- Nurse Practitioner
NSSI- Non-suicidal Self-injury
O
OCD- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
ODD- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
OCPD- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
P
PA- Physician Assistant
PhD- Doctor of Philosophy
PMDD- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
PsyD- Doctor of Psychology (PhD vs PsyD)
PTSD- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Q
QMHP- Qualified Mental Health Professional
R
RN- Registered Nurse
S
SGA- Second Generation Antipsychotics
SNRI- Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
SSP- Specialist in School Psychology degree
SSRI- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
T
TCA- Tricyclic Antidepressant
If you think there is some term that really needs to be added to the list, let me know!
The Calculating Mind 