Author: Glossary

An older tetracyclic antidepressant medication infrequently prescribed today because of its association with increased risk of seizures. Now available only as generic but may still be known by the discontinued brand name ludiomil. A heterocyclic antidepressant Ludiomil is the brand name. Adverse effects include sedation and gastrointestinal, cardiac, and neurological disturbances. A drug used to…

A behavior pattern characterized by attempts to exploit interpersonal contact. A form of treatment that involves moving or rubbing parts of the body with the hands, e.g. to treat a disorder of a joint. Skillful use of hands to reduce a fracture; to diagnose, as in palpation; or to perform other diagnostic or therapuetic maneuvers…

The remembered content of a dream or fantasy, as contrasted with latent content, which is concealed and distorted. In psychoanalytic theory, the apparent meaning of a dream that masks the latent content manifest dream.  

A distinct period (usually lasting at least 1 week) of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood accompanied by symptoms such as inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, overtalkativeness or pressured speech, flight of ideas or feeling that thoughts are racing, inattentiveness and distractibility, increased goal-directed activity (e.g., at work or school,…

A term often used synonymously with bipolar disorder, as defined in dsm-iv-tr. A mental disease characterized by extreme mood swings from high to low. A psychological condition marked by a disruption in mood is termed a mood disorder. This disruption can be unipolar, involving either depression or mania alone, or bipolar, involving oscillations between the…

An imprecise and misleading term for an emotionally disturbed person. Usually implies violent behavior. Not specifically referable to any psychiatric diagnostic category. A person who behaves in an uncontrolled way or is considered to have an obsession.  

A syndrome characterized by excessive elation or irritability, inflated self-esteem and grandiosity, hyperactivity, agitation, accelerated thinking and speaking, and flight of ideas. The syndrome is found in bipolar disorders and may also occur in certain toxic and drug-induced states. Formerly used as a nonspecific term for any type of “madness.” Currently used as a suffix…

A system organized to create a balance among the use of health care resources, control of health costs, and enhancement of the quality of care. Managed care systems seek to provide care in the most cost-effective manner by closely monitoring the intensity and duration of treatment as well as the settings in which it is…

Intentional production of false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms motivated by external incentives such as avoiding onerous duties, obtaining financial compensation, evading criminal prosecution, or obtaining drugs. There is often a marked discrepancy between the person’s claimed disability and objective findings. The person may be uncooperative during the diagnostic evaluation or fail to…

A culture-specific syndrome.