APRAXIA (literally, “inability to act or do”)
Loss of ability to perform purposeful movements or manipulate common objects.This disorder is caused by injury or disease which damages…
ARACHNODACTYLY (Marfan’s syndrome)
A rare inherited disorder characterized by long limbs and spidery hands and feet (the term means “spidery fingers”), and usually…
ARISTOTLE (384-322 B.C.)
Little is known of the life of this great physician other than the fact that he was bom in the…
ARTERIOSCLEROTIC BRAIN DISORDER
A psychotic disorder caused by hardening of the arteries in the brain; classified by The American Psychiatric Association (1952) as…
ASCLEPIADES (124 B.C.-?)
This early physician, who anticipated many modem ideas on mental illness, was born in the Greek colony of Bithynia and…
ASSERTION-STRUCTURED THERAPY
A systematic approach to psychotherapy developed by E. Lakin Phil lips, based upon the theory that neurotic tendencies can be…
ASTHENIC REACTION (Neurasthenia)
A neurotic reaction marked by persistent feelings of mental and physical fatigue, diffuse “nervousness,” and vague aches and pains.The asthenic…
ABSOLUTE THRESHOLD
The minimum level of stimulation that can be detected 50 per cent of the time; also called “detection threshold.” What…
ACATHISIA (AKATHISIA, AKATIZIA)
While this term literally means “not sitting,” and was originally applied to an impaired ability to sit down or sit…
ACHIEVEMENT TESTS
Tests designed to measure knowledge or skill attained through training in a specific subject or area. Achievement tests are usually…
ACROCEPHALY
A disorder characterized by an exceptionally high skull and severe mental retardation. In one syndrome (Crouzon) these symptoms are associated…
ACTIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY
A treatment procedure in which the patient is directed to make a graduated series of changes in his behavior. Active…
ACT PSYCHOLOGY
Formulated by the German philosopher Franz Bren- tano (1838-1917) in 1874, this approach proposed to focus psychological investigation on psychic…
ADOLESCENCE (Theories)
Adolescence is probably the most controversial of all periods of human development. Since the beginning of this century literally dozens…
ADRENAL GLANDS
A pair of endocrine glands, located above the kidneys, which secrete hormones that control emotional reactions and basic life processes…
AEROPHAGIA (Aerophagy)
This term means, literally, “air-eating,” and applies to automatic swallowing or gulping of air as a psychiatric symptom.Excessive swallowing of…
AFFECTIONAL DRIVE
The urge to be close to and in contact with another living being; usually classified as a “general drive,” that…
AFTERIMAGE (Aftersensation)
A sensation that arises out of another sensation immediately after the original stimulation ceases. A positive afterimage is a continuation…
AER HUNGER
Our breathing is so regular and automatic that we usually take it for granted. Yet the effects of deprivation are…