Psychology Terms A–Z

A therapy that uses eye movements to reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional distress.

FOMO is the anxious feeling that others are having rewarding experiences without you, often intensified by seeing curated highlights on social media.

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that calms brain activity. It plays a key role in reducing anxiety and helping the mind feel at ease.

The HPA Axis is a stress response system connecting the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. It's a critical pathway that helps your body respond to stress and return to a balanced state.

The opposite of FOMO, JOMO is the pleasure found in not participating in everything. It means feeling at peace with stepping back and focusing only on what truly matters to you.

A field addressing the unique mental health issues experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals and how to understand and support them. Every person's identity deserves respect, and care tailored to that identity is essential.

The most widely used personality test, consisting of 567 items that assess personality traits and mental health status.

A positive psychology model that describes five core elements of well-being.

REM sleep is the stage of sleep where rapid eye movements occur — it's when you dream and your brain organizes memories.

Comparing yourself to others on social media is a natural reaction, but it can be harmful to your mental health.

A projective test where you create stories based on pictures. Your inner needs and conflicts get projected into the stories you tell.

A system of 24 universal character strengths classified in positive psychology.