Definitions of Terms in Psychiatry

Question 1

Define dysthymia?

Answer 1

A chronic state of low mood, usually with insidious onset and lasting >2 years

Question 2

Define euthymia?

Answer 2

Happy, contented mood

Question 3

Define mood?

Answer 3

Describes sustained and pervasive emotion

Question 4

Define affect?

Answer 4

Short-lived observable pattern of behaviour that expresses the subjective emotional state of individual

Question 5

Define alexithymia?

Answer 5

An inability to verbally express one’s emotions

Question 6

Define anhedonia?

Answer 6

Total inability to enjoy anything in life or any satisfaction from everyday life, a ‘loss of ability to experience pleasure’

Question 7

Define psychomotor retardation?

Answer 7

Subject sits abnormally still or walks abnormally slowly and takes long time to initiate movement

Question 8

Define flight of ideas?

Answer 8

Rapid flow of thought, accelerated speech with abrupt changes of topic, although can be tenuous link. Appears illogical, muddled and seen in manic patients

Question 9

Define pressure of speech?

Answer 9

Subject talks too much and fast with sense of urgency. Speech difficult to interrupt. Seen in manic patients

Question 10

Define depersonalisation?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Define derealisation?

Answer 11

Surroundings do not seem real. May experience colourless, artificial. Street may seem like a stage set with actors. Insight maintained

Question 12

Define illusion?

Answer 12

A false perception of a real external stimulus

Question 13

Define pseudo-hallucinations?

Answer 13

Sensory experience vivid enough to be regarded as hallucination but recognised by subject as coming from inner space of mind (not external).

Question 14

Define hallucinations?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Define thought echo?

Answer 15

Delusional belief that subject experiences own thoughts as if they were being spoken out loud. May be subtly changed echo or the same

Question 16

Define thought insertion?

Answer 16

Delusional belief that subject experiences thoughts which are not their own. E.g. aliens inserting thoughts by telepathy

Question 17

Define thought withdrawal?

Answer 17

Delusional belief that subject believes thoughts have been removed from his mind by external agency they have no control over

Question 18

Define thought broadcast?

Answer 18

Delusional belief that thoughts are being shared with others, often large numbers of people. Usually via telepathy, radio, television

Question 19

Define delusions of control/passivitiy?

Answer 19

Thoughts/feelings/actions are not their own but being controlled but outside force

Question 20

Define delusional perception?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Define negative symptoms?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Define delirium?

Answer 22

A disorder of consciousness in which patient is bewildered, disorientated and restless. May be fear and hallucinations

Question 23

Define lability?

Answer 23

Affect is rapidly changeable and marked fluctuations. In extreme form, called emotional incontinence

Question 24

Define delusion?

Answer 24

Fixed, unshakeable belief despite evidence to the contrary and cannot be explained by cultural or religious background

Question 25

Define Nilhistic delusions?

Answer 25

Delusional belief that others, oneself or world does not exist or are about to die

Question 26

Define grandiose delusions?

Answer 26

Delusions of being a special status or significance, having special powers, attributes or purpose in life

Question 27

Define aphasia?

Answer 27

No speech, inability to produce words orally

Question 28

Define concrete thinking?

Answer 28

Inability to understand abstract ideas. Subject focussed on here and now, physical objects and literal meanings

Question 29

Define 2nd person auditory hallucinations?

Answer 29

Subject hears voices which talk to them directly. ‘you, your’

Question 30

Define 3rd person auditory hallucinations?

Answer 30

Subject hears voices talking about him/her, referring in he/she/it form.

Question 31

Define ideas of reference?

Answer 31

Delusional belief that innocuous events are directly linked and have personal significance to subject. Radio talking to them/about them

Question 32

Define neologisms?

Answer 32

New words with no real meaning

Question 33

Define perseveration?

Answer 33

Repetition of responses (phrase, word, gesture) despite absence/cessation of stimulus. Often seen in organic brain disorders.

Question 34

Name Schneider’s first rank symptoms?

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Define pareidolic illusion?

Answer 35

Interpret vague stimulus as something known to observer (seeing shapes in clouds, faces in objects/patterns)

Question 36

Define trailing phenomenon?

Answer 36

Drug-induced visual distortion (usually marijuana or LSD) which the user see a trail following moving object

Question 37

Define completion illusion?

Answer 37

Due to inattention, an incomplete object is perceived as complete (ccok may read cook)

Question 38

Define affect illusion?

Answer 38

Person’s emotional state leads to misperceptions - incorrect interpretation of shadow, seeing dead loved one