Definitions of Terms in Psychiatry Flashcards
Define dysthymia?
A chronic state of low mood, usually with insidious onset and lasting >2 years
Define euthymia?
Happy, contented mood
Define mood?
Describes sustained and pervasive emotion
Define affect?
Short-lived observable pattern of behaviour that expresses the subjective emotional state of individual
Define alexithymia?
An inability to verbally express one’s emotions
Define anhedonia?
Total inability to enjoy anything in life or any satisfaction from everyday life, a ‘loss of ability to experience pleasure’
Define psychomotor retardation?
Subject sits abnormally still or walks abnormally slowly and takes long time to initiate movement
Define flight of ideas?
Rapid flow of thought, accelerated speech with abrupt changes of topic, although can be tenuous link. Appears illogical, muddled and seen in manic patients
Define pressure of speech?
Subject talks too much and fast with sense of urgency. Speech difficult to interrupt. Seen in manic patients
Define depersonalisation?
One feels that one is altered or not real in some way. May feel like they have changed and world around them is vague, dreamlike, lacking in significance. Insight maintained
Define derealisation?
Surroundings do not seem real. May experience colourless, artificial. Street may seem like a stage set with actors. Insight maintained
Define illusion?
A false perception of a real external stimulus
Define pseudo-hallucinations?
Sensory experience vivid enough to be regarded as hallucination but recognised by subject as coming from inner space of mind (not external).
Define hallucinations?
Perception which occurs without stimulus. Perception is false but subject has full force and impact of a real perception and consequently indistinguishable. Occurs in external space
Define thought echo?
Delusional belief that subject experiences own thoughts as if they were being spoken out loud. May be subtly changed echo or the same
Define thought insertion?
Delusional belief that subject experiences thoughts which are not their own. E.g. aliens inserting thoughts by telepathy
Define thought withdrawal?
Delusional belief that subject believes thoughts have been removed from his mind by external agency they have no control over
Define thought broadcast?
Delusional belief that thoughts are being shared with others, often large numbers of people. Usually via telepathy, radio, television
Define delusions of control/passivitiy?
Thoughts/feelings/actions are not their own but being controlled but outside force
Define delusional perception?
Patient receives normal perception which is interpreted with delusional meaning and has immense personal meaning. E.g. traffic light change means man is King of Mars
Define negative symptoms?
Cluster of symptoms that often occur in chronic schizophrenia. Poverty of speech, flat affect, poor motivation, poor attention. Results in low levels and poor self-care
Define delirium?
A disorder of consciousness in which patient is bewildered, disorientated and restless. May be fear and hallucinations
Define lability?
Affect is rapidly changeable and marked fluctuations. In extreme form, called emotional incontinence
Define delusion?
Fixed, unshakeable belief despite evidence to the contrary and cannot be explained by cultural or religious background
Define Nilhistic delusions?
Delusional belief that others, oneself or world does not exist or are about to die
Define grandiose delusions?
Delusions of being a special status or significance, having special powers, attributes or purpose in life
Define aphasia?
No speech, inability to produce words orally
Define concrete thinking?
Inability to understand abstract ideas. Subject focussed on here and now, physical objects and literal meanings
Define 2nd person auditory hallucinations?
Subject hears voices which talk to them directly. ‘you, your’
Define 3rd person auditory hallucinations?
Subject hears voices talking about him/her, referring in he/she/it form.
Define ideas of reference?
Delusional belief that innocuous events are directly linked and have personal significance to subject. Radio talking to them/about them
Define neologisms?
New words with no real meaning
Define perseveration?
Repetition of responses (phrase, word, gesture) despite absence/cessation of stimulus. Often seen in organic brain disorders.
Name Schneider’s first rank symptoms?
Auditory hallucinations (multiple voices, running commentary, 3rd person) Thought insertion Thought blocking Thought withdrawal Thought echo Thought broadcasting Delusion of control (Passivity of feeling) Delusional Perception
Define pareidolic illusion?
Interpret vague stimulus as something known to observer (seeing shapes in clouds, faces in objects/patterns)
Define trailing phenomenon?
Drug-induced visual distortion (usually marijuana or LSD) which the user see a trail following moving object
Define completion illusion?
Due to inattention, an incomplete object is perceived as complete (ccok may read cook)
Define affect illusion?
Person’s emotional state leads to misperceptions - incorrect interpretation of shadow, seeing dead loved one
