Author: Glossary
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Olan
A culture-specific syndrome.
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Oedipus complex
Attachment of the child to the parent of the opposite sex, accompanied by envious and aggressive feelings toward the parent of the same sex. These feelings are largely repressed (i.e., made unconscious) because of the fear of displeasure or punishment by the parent of the same sex. In its original use, the term applied only…
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Odynophobia
The fear of pain.
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Occupational therapy
An adjunctive therapy that uses purposeful activities as a means of altering the course of illness. The patient’s relationship to staff and to other patients in the occupational therapy setting is often more therapeutic than the activity itself. A form of psychological treatment that involves habilitating or rehabilitating a person in occupational activities. Medically directed…
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Occupational psychiatry (industrial psychiatry)
A field of psychiatry concerned with the diagnosis and prevention of mental illness in industry, with the return of the psychiatric patient to work, and with psychiatric aspects of absenteeism, abuse, retirement, and related phenomena. A psychiatrist in this field often works in consultation with an employee assistance program (EAP).
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Occupational problem
Job or work difficulty that is not due to a mental disorder. Examples are job dissatisfaction or uncertainty about career choices.
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Obstructive sleep apnea
A common breathing-related sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. It is caused by obstruction of the airway, despite the effort to breathe. The episodes of breathing cessation occur repeatedly throughout sleep and last long enough that one or more breaths are missed. A respiratory problem that occurs during sleep, which involves intermittent…
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Obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders
Conditions that have obsessive-compulsive qualities and show similarities to obsessivecompulsive disorder. Disorders proposed as belonging to this spectrum include hypochondriasis, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and trichotillomania.
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder
An anxiety disorder characterized by obsessions, compulsions, or both that are time-consuming, are distressing, or interfere significantly with normal routine, occupational functioning, usual social activities, or relationships with others. A mental disorder characterised by the need to perform repeated ritual acts such as checking or cleaning, which can be treated with psychotherapy and antidepressants. Obsessive-compulsive…
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Obsession
Recurrent and persistent thought, impulse, or image experienced as intrusive and distressing. Recognized as being excessive and unreasonable even though it is the product of one’s mind. This thought, impulse, or image cannot be expunged through logic or reasoning. A persistent impulse that cannot be relieved by logic. A mental disorder in which a person…