Science / Psychiatry Glossary

Gradual-Onset Schizophrenia: Symptoms develop so slowly that it often takes a long period of time before the illness is obvious to the individual, his/her family, or his/her friends.

Grandiosity: An inflated appraisal of ones worth, power, knowledge, importance, or identity. When extreme, grandiosity may be of delusional proportions.

Grossly Disorganized Behavior: Unusual behavior in which the individual acts any number of ways from silly and childlike to angry and aggressive. A positive symptom of schizophrenia.

Gustatory Hallucination: A hallucination involving the perception of taste (usually unpleasant).

Gynaecomastia: The development of excess breast tissue in men which is sometimes a side effect of antipsychotic medication, as a result of hyperprolactinaemia. May be accompanied by galactorrhoea.

Hallucination: false sensory perception in the absence of a real external stimulus. It is perceived as being located in objective space and as having the same realistic qualities as normal perceptions. It . . . View Full Definition

Hallucinosis: hallucination (usually auditory ) occurring in clear consciousness. e.g in alcoholism.

Haloperidol: A typical antipsychotic.

HAM-D: Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression – an assessment tool to determine presence and severity of depression.

Hedonism: Pleasure-seeking behavior. Contrast with anhedonia.

Hemisomatognosis: limb is felt to be missing.

Hyperacusis: Inordinate sensitivity to sounds; it may be on an emotional or an organic basis.

Hyperaesthesia: sensory distortion in which sensations appear increased.

Hyperdopaminergia: (hi-per-do-pah-min-er-gee-ah) Neurochemical condition of excess dopamine neurotransmission. Thought to partly underlie the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Hyperkinesis: overactivity, distractibility, excitability and impulsivity e.g in children.

Hyperprolactinaemia: An abnormally high level of prolactin in the blood which can occur in both men and women. Typical and some atypical antipsychotics can increase serum levels which can result in menstrual and . . . View Full Definition

Hypersomnia: Excessive sleepiness, as evidenced by prolonged nocturnal sleep, difficulty maintaining an alert awake state during the day, or undesired daytime sleep episodes. ideas of reference The feeli . . . View Full Definition

Hypertonicity: (hi-per-to-nis-ih-te) Excessive tension of muscles.

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