Author: Glossary

In heinz kohut’s (1913–1981) self psychology, the archaic selfobject to which the child, as is appropriate for his or her phase of development, needs to admire and feel attached. When development is successful, it becomes transformed into internalized values and ideals that are soothing, drive-channeling structures that maintain and restore internal balance. The idealized parental…

A mental mechanism in which the person attributes exaggeratedly positive qualities to the self or others. A mental mechanism, operating consciously or unconsciously, in which one overestimates an admired aspect or attribute of another. A type of defense mechanism, in which a child (or adult) grossly exaggerates the positive qualities of someone or something.  

In Freudian theory, the part of the personality that is the unconscious source of unstructured desires and drives.  

The 10th edition of the international classification of diseases.  

A disorder precipitated, aggravated, or induced by the physician’s attitude, examination, comments, or treatment. An illness or injury resulting from a diagnostic procedure, therapy, or other element of health care. An iatrogenic illness is often confused with a “nosocomial” illness, which simply means an illness “occurring in a hospital.”