Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Amentia

    Subnormal development of the mind, with particular reference to intellectual capacities. A type of severe intellectual disability. Inferior mental capacity originating before or shortly after birth, dementia; retardation. Failure of development of the intellectual faculties.  

  • Amelodia

    A disturbance (also known as affective motor aprosodia) characterized by loss of melody or emotional intonation when speaking. The result is a seemingly emotionless response easily misinterpreted as depression.  

  • Ambivalence

    The coexistence of contradictory emotions, attitudes, ideas, or desires with respect to a particular person, object, or situation. Ordinarily, the ambivalence is not fully conscious and suggests psychopathology only when present in an extreme form. Simultaneous attractions to and repulsion from an object, person, or situation. The condition of holding opposite feelings (such as love and…

  • Ambien

    A nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic medication used in the short-term treatment of insomnia. The brand name for zolpidem.  

  • Amathophobia

    The fear of dust.  

  • Amantadine

    An NMDA receptor antagonist originally developed to treat flu symptoms but also effective in treating parkinson’s disease and extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) induced by conventional antipsychotic medications. Now available only as generic but may still be known by the discontinued brand name symmetrel. A medication originally developed to treat flu symptoms that has been found to…

  • Alprazolam

    A benzodiazepine anxiolytic medication used in the management of anxiety disorders. Marketed under the brand name xanax. A benzodiazepine sedative. Antianxiety agent of the benzodiazepine class. Adverse effects include fatigue, dry mouth, confusion, and nasal congestion. A benzodiazepine and antianxiety agent, administered orally to treat anxiety and panic attacks. Trade name is Xanax. This medication…

  • Alpha-adrenergic agonists

    Medications that selectively stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors and that are used in psychopharmaco-therapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, self-injurious behavior, opioid detoxification, and substance ABUSE. Alpha-adrenergic AGONISTS are important pharmacotherapies for other conditions as well (e.g., vasoconstrictors in the treatment of shock).  

  • Alogia

    Literally, speechlessness. Most commonly used to refer to the lack of spontaneity and content in speech and diminished flow of conversation that occur as negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Inability to speak owing to a mental condition or a symptom of dementia. The inability to express oneself through speech. Loss of speaking ability, resulting from brain…

  • Allopregnanolone

    An important neurosteroid in the human brain, allopregnanolone is a metabolite of progesterone and a barbiturate like modulator of central nervous system (CNS) GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) receptors that modify a range of behaviors, including the stress response.