Author: Glossary

An obsolete term for psychosis. Still used, however, in strictly legal contexts such as insanity defense. A legal term for mental illness, roughly equivalent to psychosis and implying inability to be responsible for one’s acts. A legal term describing a person who may not be convicted of a crime when it is shown that he…

Obsolete term referring to the state of having a mental disorder. Mentally deranged and, therefore, legally incompetent.  

Behavioral evidence of an unconscious defense against forbidden instinctual drives that may interfere with or restrict specific activities. Prevention of growth; multiplication of micro-organisms; prevention of enzyme activity. The suppression of the biological function of an enzyme or system by chemical or physical means. The inner controls that prevent a person from engaging in certain…

In dsm-iv-tr, a group of mental disorders that includes inhalant dependence; inhalant abuse; inhalant intoxication; inhalant intoxication delirium; inhalant-induced persisting dementia; inhalant-induced psychotic disorder, with delusions or hallucinations; inhalant-induced mood disorder; and inhalantinduced anxiety disorder.  

An aspect of child and adolescent psychiatry that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of maladaptive psychological functioning in the very young.  

In dsm-iv-tr, the full title for this section is “disorders usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence.” Included are attention-deficit and disruptive behavior disorders, communication disorders, elimination disorders, feeding and eating disorders of infancy or early childhood, intellectual disability, learning disorders, motor skills disorder, pervasive developmental disorders, reactive attachment disorder, selective mutism, separation anxiety…

A group of biogenic compounds that include indoleamines. Aromatic, organic compound. A type of chemical structure. The neurotransmitter serotonin and the hallucinogen LSD both contain an indole nucleus. Compound (C6H4 CH: CH.NH) derived from decomposition of tryptophan intestinally. Present also in cultures of some Gram-negative bacteria, in which its absence or presence is a primary…

One of a group of biogenic amines (e.g., serotonin) that contains a five-membered, nitrogen-containing indole ring and an amine group within its chemical structure.  

A process of differentiation, the end result of which is development of the individual personality that is separate and distinct from all others. A pattern of development from the general to the specific. During development, the emergence of specific and individual structures and functions.  

A system of psychiatric theory, research, and therapy developed by Alfred Adler (1870–1937) that emphasizes compensation and overcompensation for inferiority feelings (inferiority complex). A system of psychological thinking developed by Alfred Adler in which an individual is regarded as having three life goals: physical security, sexual satisfaction, and social integration.