Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Shared psychotic disorder

    Induced psychotic disorder; for example, person A develops a delusion in the context of a close relationship with person B, who has an already established delusion. The delusion in person A is similar in content to person B’s delusion. One example is folie à deux. Shared psychotic disorder, also known as folie à deux, is…

  • Shaping

    Reinforcement of responses in the patient’s repertoire that increasingly approximate sought-after behavior. In operant conditioning, reinforcing responses that are successively closer approximations of the desired behavior. A technique of behavior modification used in the teaching of complex skills or in encouraging rare forms of behavior. At first the therapist rewards actions that are similar to…

  • Shame

    Shame

    An emotion resulting from the failure to live up to self-expectations.  

  • Shaman

    Shaman

    A healer whose ability comes from trancelike or supernatural experiences. Pertaining to teachers, doctors, and health professionals who use magic in their professional practice. A healer (usually from a tribal or preindustrial culture) who uses non-Western practices and techniques, including faith healing, spirituality, psychological manipulation, chanting, rituals, magic, and culturally meaningful symbolism to restore health…

  • Sexual sadism

    One of the paraphilias, characterized by marked distress over, or acting on, desires to inflict physical or psychological suffering, including humiliation, on the victim.  

  • Vaginismus

    Refers to recurrent or persistent involuntary spasm of the musculature of the outer third of the vagina severe enough to interfere with coitus. Painful spasm of the vagina, hence often resulting in unsuccessful penetration. A spasm of the muscles surrounding the vagina, causing painful contractions of the vagina. A condition in which the muscles at…

  • Dyspareunia

    Refers to genital pain in either a male or a female before, during, or after sexual intercourse that is not due to a general medical condition, drugs, or medication. Painful sexual intercourse in the woman. Pain or discomfort in the pelvis or vagina during or after sexual intercourse. Difficult or painful sexual intercourse in a…

  • Sexual pain disorders

    A subcategory of sexual dysfunctions that includes dyspareunia and vaginismus.  

  • Sexual masochism

    One of the paraphilias, characterized by marked distress over, or acting on, sexual urges to be humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer by the sexual partner. Among the frequently reported masochistic acts are restraint (physical bondage), blindfolding, whipping or flagellation, electrical shocks, or being treated as a helpless infant and clothed in diapers…

  • Sexual dysfunctions

    One of the major groups of sexual and gender identity disorders; includes sexual desire disorders, sexual arousal disorders, orgasmic disorders, sexual pain disorders, sexual dysfunction due to a general medical condition, and substance-induced (intoxication or withdrawal) sexual dysfunction.