Science / Psychiatry Glossary

Amnesia: Loss of memory. Types of amnesia include: anterograde Loss of memory of events that occur after the onset of the etiological condition or agent. retrograde Loss of memory of events that occ . . . View Full Definition

Amnestic Aphasia: Loss of the ability to name objects.

Amok: seen in South-East Asia. Outburst of aggressive behaviour in which the patient runs amok during a depressive episode

Anaclitic: In psychoanalytic terminology, dependence of the infant on the mother or mother substitute for a sense of well-being. This is considered normal behavior in childhood, but pathologic in later years.

Anal Stage: The period of pregenital psychosexual development, usually from 1 to 3 years, in which the child has particular interest and concern with the process of defecation and the sensations connec . . . View Full Definition

Anamnesis: The developmental history of a patient and of his or her illness, especially recollections.

Anankastic Personality: Synonym for obsessive-compulsive personality.

Anhedonia: Inability to experience pleasure from activities that usually produce pleasurable feelings. Contrast with hedonism.

Anima: In Jungian psychology, a persons inner being as opposed to the character or persona presented to the world. Further, the anima may be the more feminine soul or inner self of a man, and the . . . View Full Definition

Anomie: Apathy, alienation, and personal distress resulting from the loss of goals previously valued. Emile Durkheim popularized this term when he listed it as a principal reason for suicide.

Anosognosia: lack of awareness of a disease

Antagonist: Medication, hormone, or neurotransmitter that binds to a receptor and prevents a response.

Anticholinergic: Blocking the action of acetylcholine, one of the chemicals the body makes to help nerve cells communicate with each other. This describes a group of the most common side-effects of psychotro . . . View Full Definition

Anticholinergic Effects: A group of side effects of some antipsychotics, including dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and urinary retention. Caused by a blockade of acetylcholine receptors; can contribute to co . . . View Full Definition

Antidepressant: Medication used to treat depression.

Antipsychotic: Medication used to treat psychosis.

Anxiety: The apprehensive anticipation of future danger or misfortune accompanied by a feeling of dysphoria or somatic symptoms of tension. The focus of anticipated danger may be internal or external . . . View Full Definition

Anxiolytics: Medications used to reduce serious anxiety, tension, and agitation. They used to be known as minor tranquilizers.

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