Author: Glossary

Sensual self-gratification. Characteristic of, but not limited to, an early stage of emotional development. Includes satisfactions derived from genital play, masturbation, fantasy, and oral, anal, and visual sources. Sexual gratification through self-stimulation, without regard for another person; sensual gratification through masturbation, fantasy, or visual experience.  

Asphyxia caused by intentionally strangling oneself while masturbating to intensify the orgasm through reduced oxygen blood flow to the brain. This practice carries a significant risk of death.  

The substitution of excessive daydreaming for the pursuit of relationships with others, for solving problems, or for more direct and effective action. A type of defense mechanism in which a child (or adult) substitutes persistent daydreaming for human contact or for dealing directly with personal problems.  

A pervasive developmental disorder consisting of gross and sustained impairment in social interaction and communication; restricted and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interest, and activities; and abnormal development prior to age 3 years manifested by delays or abnormal functioning in social development, language communication, or play. Specific symptoms may include impaired awareness of others, lack of…

Another name for pervasive developmental disorders, which include autistic disorder, asperger’s disorder, rett’s disorder, and childhood disintegrative disorder. Autism in all its different forms and degrees of severity. Autism spectrum disorders encompass a collection of developmental disorders characterized by obsessive behavior, impaired communication, and difficulties in social skills. Typically, these disorders are diagnosed during childhood.…

A person in a position of power (e.g., a parent or parent surrogate). A projected or real person in a position of power, e.g., a projected parent.  

A premonitory, subjective brief sensation (e.g., a flash of light) that warns of an impending headache or convulsion. The nature of the sensation depends on the brain area in which the attack begins. Seen in migraine and epilepsy. A sensation or phenomenon that signals the onset of an epileptic seizure or a migraine. A distinctive…

The addition of one or more medications to enhance or magnify the beneficial effects of a medication already being used, such as the addition of lithium carbonate, liothyronine, an anticonvulsant, or a stimulant to augment antidepressant response in a patient with refractory depression.  

The inability to recognize specific sounds in the context of intact hearing. There is a distinction in this syndrome between pure word deafness, which is considered an agnosia for auditory/verbal information, and auditory agnosia, which involves an agnosia for environmental, nonverbal sounds. Cortical deafness is also a term applied to patients who essentially do not…

Periodic and systematic review of patterns of patient care to assess the quality of treatment. In administration, a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of personnel work and accounting. Detailed retrospective review and evaluation of selected medical records by qualified professional staff. Medical audits are used in some hospitals, group practices, and occasionally in private, independent…