BRAIN DISORDERS
A group of disorders caused by or associated with impairment of brain tissue function, and characterized by impairment of (a)…
BRAIN TUMOR DISORDERS
Acute and chronic brain syndromes due to intracranial neoplasms (tumors). These neoplasms, or “new growths,” are of unknown origin and…
BRAIN WAVES (Electroencephalogram, EEG)
Electrical changes, or potentials, occurring during brain activity. The fluctuations are detected through electrodes placed on the skull, and are…
BREATH-HOLDING
A behavior disturbance in which a child expresses anger by holding his breath; classified by the American Psychiatric Association (1952)…
BRILL, ABRAHAM ARDEN (1874— 1948)
Brill, chiefly known as one of the first exponents of psychoanalysis in America, was bom in Austria and came to…
BROMIDE INTOXICATION
A toxic disorder produced by excessive use of bromides, usually taken to relieve tension, alleviate physical discomfort or induce sleep.Bromide…
BULIMIA (Hyperorexia, Polyphagia)
Insatiable hunger; pathological overeating.The psychological drive to overeat is usually classified as a psychophysiologic disorder of the gastrointestinal system, although…
BLEULER, EUGEN (1857-1939)
One of the major contributors to dynamic psychiatry, Bleuler was bom in Zurich, received his medical training at its university,…
BODY LANGUAGE (Organ Language)
The expression of unconscious feelings, impulses, or conflicts through altered functioning of bodily organs; also, nonverbal communication through the body,…
BORDERLINE DISORDERS
A group of psychological disturbances which exhibit various combinations of normality, neurosis, functional psychosis, and psychopathy.Schmideberg (1959) believes these disorders…
BARBITURATE ADDICTION
Physical and psychological dependence on barbiturate drugs. Barbiturate sedatives rank with the opiates and alcohol as the major addiction drugs…
BARBITURATE INTOXICATION
Barbiturate poisoning is the most common cause of brain disorder due to toxic conditions. It is also the toxic disorder…
BEHAVIOR DISORDERS
A somewhat loose term with three major applications. First, it is occasionally applied to any type of abnormal behavior, or…
BELLE INDIFFERENCE
A term originally used by Pierre Janet to characterize the air of unconcern manifested by hysteric patients toward their physical…
BENDER GESTALT TEST (Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test)
A personality test based on the way a subject copies nine geometrical figures. It is designed to throw light not…
BESTIALITY (Zooerasty, Zoophilia)
A sexual deviation in which excitement or gratification is achieved through relations with animals. The term includes actual intercourse as…
BIBLIOTHERAPY
A form of supportive psychotherapy in which the patient is given carefully selected material to read.During the era of “moral…
BILIRUBIN ENCEPHALOPATHY (Kemicterus)
A toxic brain disorder occurring in infants, due to accumulation in the gall bladder of bilirubin, a red breakdown product…
BINET, ALFRED (1857-1911)
Binet, originator of the first true intelligence test, was born in Nice, France. Though trained as a lawyer, he never…