Key Terms In Psychiatry

Pathological

Mental impairments and disorders linked to biological abnormalities stemming from disease, injury, biochemistry, and genetics

Idiopathic

Any condition of physical or mental health that can't be explained biologically or medically, therefore called disorders of unknown causes

Psychosomatic

Abnormalities with physical symptoms but are caused by psychological factors

Comorbidity

Simultaneous existence of 2 or more health conditions

Ambivalence

Coexistence of 2 opposing, contradicting emotions towards the same thing at the same time, causing emotional distress

Congenital

Conditions, traits, and abnormalities that are present at birth

Predisposition

Biological and genetic vulnerability for developing abnormalities

Maladaptive

Abnormalities with inappropriate responses to stress and social situations

Dysfunctional

Unhealthy behaviors and cognitive patterns that are considered wrong, inappropriate, or socially unacceptable

Anergia

Having a lack of physical energy for daily activities

Avolition

Having a lack of psychological motivation for daily activities

Anhedonia

Having a general loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable

Mania (Manic episodes)

Periods of extreme elevated hyperactivity

Delusions

Dysfunctional and exaggerated emotions as well as extreme false beliefs

Hallucinations

Severe alterations of reality; hearing voices or seeing images that don't exist

Catatonia

Behaviors marked with erratic muscular movements and body contortions

Cataplexy

Sudden loss of muscle tone and voluntary motor control functions while awake causing paralysis and immobilization

Stupor

State of altered consciousness in which an individual does not react to their surroundings or show cognitive awareness

Insanity

Legal term, not a medical or psychological term; a plea requiring evaluation of mental competency to stand trial, acknowledging a crime committed but not subject to traditional punishment

Agonist

A chemical or drug that activates a receptor to produce a response

Antagonist

Blocks the receptor to prevent a response