PARANOID STATES
A psychotic disorder characterized by transient, poorly systematized delusions.Paranoid states appear to be intermediate between “true” paranoia and paranoid schizophrenia.…
PARATHYROID GLANDS
Two pairs of small endocrine glands adjacent to the thyroid gland in the neck, which regulate calcium metabolism and maintain…
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
A chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system, usually occurring between the ages of fifty and seventy. Atrophy takes…
PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE PERSONALITY
A personality trait disturbance characterized by immaturity and failure to develop an adequate balance between dependence and independence, and between…
PATHOLOGICAL INTOXICATION
An acute psychotic episode occurring in (1) individuals whose tolerance for alcohol is low due to an unstable personality or…
PEAK-CLIPPING
Increasing the intelligibility of transmitted speech by “clipping,” or eliminating, high intensity sounds and amplifying the low intensities.Peak-clipping is accomplished…
PELLAGRINOUS PSYCHOSIS
A metabolic disorder produced by a severe deficiency of vitamin B (niacin, nicotinic acid). Deficiencies of thiamine, riboflavin, and ascorbic…
PEPTIC ULCER
A craterlike wound in the inner wall of the stomach or duodenum resulting from the corrosive effects of acid-containing digestive…
PERPLEXITY STATES
A form of mental confusion in which the patient is assailed with doubt and uncertainty about his own thoughts.Perplexity is…
PAIN DRIVE
drive directed to the removal of noxious stimulation.This basic drive is activated by special sense organs in the form of…
PSEUDOPARALYSIS
A loss of movement in the limbs with no identifiable structural or functional problems.
PSYCHIC ENERGIZER
A powerful CNS medication, a psychic energizer (the term has fallen out of use) has antidepressant qualities.
PSYCHOANALYST
A specially trained therapist who utilizes Freudian theories and practices to treat mental disorders. In the U.S., psychoanalytically training begins…
PSYCHODYNAMICS
A system or view that emphasizes and examines development, change and interaction of mental and emotional, conscious and unconscious forces…
PSYCHOGRAPHICS
An extensive demographic survey looking at values, activities, opinions and interests of populations of an audience or potential audience used…
PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS
Symptoms of anxiety and depression in persons who do not fit an established criteria of psychological disorder. Psychological distress is…
PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALE 1
A measurement for a psychological variable or psychological function. i.e. IQ. An instrument to make such a measurement.
PSYCHOMETRICIAN
A trained individual who administers psychological tests and is charged with the interpretation of their results. Psychometricians work with and…