Author: Glossary
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Postpartum psychosis
An inexact, general term for any type of psychosis occurring within 90 days after childbirth. A psychosis that develops during the 6 months following childbirth, the highest incidence being in the third to sixth day after delivery through the first month postpartum. The symptoms and signs include hallucinations, delusions, preoccupation with death, self-mutilation, infanticide, distorted…
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Posthallucinogen perception disorder
Reexperiencing one or more of the perceptual symptoms that had been experienced while using the hallucinogen, following cessation of its use. Some examples are the illusion of objects changing shape, false perceptions of movement in the peripheral field of vision, flashes or intensification of colors, or trails of images of moving objects.
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Postconcussional disorder
A proposed disorder (listed in dsm-ivtr appendix b, “criteria sets and axes provided for further study”) whose essential features are acquired cognitive impairment and behavioral disturbance that develop after head trauma. The cognitive and neurobehavioral sequelae appear within 4 weeks of experiencing the trauma and are accompanied by somatic complaints (headache, dizziness, noise intolerance), emotional…
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Positron emission tomography (PET)
A brain imaging technique that permits evaluation of regional metabolic differences by looking at radioisotope distribution. By using positron-emitting isotopes of glucose, oxygen, neurotransmitters, or drugs, one can localize sites of increased (or decreased) metabolic turnover or blood flow in a wide variety of neurological or psychiatric conditions. The visual display is similar to that…
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Positive symptoms (of schizophrenia)
A group of symptoms characteristic of schizophrenia that include delusions, which may be bizarre in nature; hallucinations, especially auditory; disorganized speech; inappropriate affect; and disorganized behavior. In schizophrenia behavior characterized by hallucinations and other bizarre behavioral patterns, negative symptoms. Schizophrenia symptoms manifest as the exhibition or existence of highly abnormal or excessive behaviors, encompassing hallucinations…
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Porphyria
A metabolic disorder characterized by the excretion of porphyrins in the urine and accompanied by attacks of abdominal pain, peripheral neuropathy, and a variety of mental symptoms. Some types are precipitated by barbiturates and alcohol. A disease involving abnormally high blood levels of porphyrin. A hereditary disease affecting the metabolism of porphyrin pigments. Porphyria is…
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Poppers
A street name for nitrite inhalants that are sometimes abused. A slang term for the inhalant drug, amyl nitrate.
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Polysubstance dependence
In dsm-iv-tr, defined as use of at least three different substances (not including nicotine or caffeine) for 6 months or more, during which time no single substance has predominated.
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Polysomnography
The all-night recording of a variety of physiological parameters (e.g., brain waves, eye movements, muscle tonus, respiration, heart rate, penile tumescence) in order to diagnose sleep-related disorders. A record of bodily activity during sleep to identify possible causes of sleep disorders. The simultaneous monitoring of respiratory, cardiac, muscle, brain, and ocular function during sleep. It…
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Polypharmacy
The term is used when too many forms of medication are used by a patient, when more drugs are prescribed than is clinically warranted, or even when all prescribed medications are clinically indicated but there are too many pills to take (pill burden). Furthermore, a portion of the treatments may not be evidence-based. The most…