Glossary Copy
adaptive
anxiety that is adaptive helps people adjust to new conditions and therefore be more prepared and perform better
amygdala
part of the brain that has evolved to keep us safe; when a threat is detected, it triggers a process that shuts down clear and rational thinking, hijacks attention, and prepares the body to fight or flee from situations perceived as threatening
anxiety
an emotion that is fuelled by our brain’s automatic response to danger; it is characterized by feelings of apprehension, nervousness, worried thoughts, and a variety of physical symptoms
anxiety disorder
a group of disorders diagnosed by a mental health professional when anxiety is causing clear and significant harm in multiple aspects of a person’s life; the presence of a disorder signals a need for treatment
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
an evidence-based therapeutic treatment approach that aims to identify and change unhelpful or negative thoughts and behaviours; in the case of anxiety, children and adults learn how anxiety affects their brains and bodies, and they practise skills to manage symptoms and situations that cause distress
cognitive restructuring
a component of cognitive behavioural therapy that involves learning to recognize, challenge and replace unhelpful thoughts that get in the way of healthy functioning
Everyday Anxiety Strategies for Educators (EASE)
a collection of 12 lessons, aligned with B.C. curriculum and designed for use in K–7 classrooms, that introduce strategies for effectively managing everyday anxiety
exposure
a component of cognitive behavioural therapy that involves learning to intentionally face fears by being exposed to them in small, manageable doses
fight-flight-freeze response
a physical response to a threat, triggered by the release of neurochemicals; clear and rational thinking shuts down, attention is hijacked, and the body is prepared for approaching or avoiding the threat
mental disorder
a condition that causes significant distress or impairment in our functioning; there are many types of mental disorders, with very different causes, symptoms and progressions
mental health
more than just the presence of positive emotions or the absence of mental disorders, mental health includes our capacity to successfully adapt to the challenges—both positive and negative—that life sends our way; it is affected by our ability to solve problems, our social connections, our understanding of the world around us, and our thoughts, feelings and behaviours
protective factors
help us maintain optimal mental health even when life is challenging; they include things related to:
- the individual—e.g., a strong sense of self-worth and good problem-solving skills
- family—e.g., supportive relationships and clear behavioural expectations
- school and community—e.g., strong social connections and opportunities to develop skills and interests.
resilience
the ability to cope with problems, stress and other difficult situations in life
risk factors
can reduce our capacity to navigate life’s challenges and can contribute to a decline in our mental health; they include stressors that we have had to endure in the past, like chronic illness, repeated trauma, and poverty (e.g., insecurities related to food, shelter and safety)
stress
a natural response to external pressure or challenges that subsides once the situation has been resolved; prolonged stress can contribute to anxiety problems, when worried thoughts about the stressor persist and result in problematic behaviours