Science / Psychiatry Glossary

CT Scanning (Computerized Tomography): (to-mog-raf-ee) A technique using x-rays or ultrasound waves to produce an image of interior parts of the body. For example, within the skull it can be used to view parts of the brain as an . . . View Full Definition

Culture-Specific Syndromes: Forms of disturbed behavior specific to certain cultural systems that do not conform to western nosologic entities. Some commonly cited syndromes are the following: amok; koro; latah; piblok . . . View Full Definition

D2 (Dopamine Type 2) Receptors: One of a number of receptor sites in the brain where antipsychotics have antagonist effects, to suppress the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Da Costas Syndrome: Neurocirculatory asthenia; soldiers heart; a functional disorder of the circulatory system that is usually a part of an anxiety state or secondary to hyperventilation.

Decompensation: The deterioration of existing defenses, leading to an exacerbation of pathological behavior.

Defense Mechanism: Automatic psychological process that protects the individual against anxiety and from awareness of internal or external stressors or dangers. Defense mechanisms mediate the individuals react . . . View Full Definition

Déjà Pensé: illusion of recognition of a new thought

Déjà Vu: illusion or recognition of a situation

Delirium: disorder of consciousness in which the patient is bewildered, disoriented and restless. There may be associated fear and hallucinations

Delusion: false personal belief based on incorrect inference about external reality and firmly held despite evidence to the contrary. Not explicable on the grounds of the patients cultural or social b . . . View Full Definition

Delusion of doubles ( lillusion de soises) : delusional belief that a person known to an individual has been replaced by a double. It is seen in Capgras syndrome.

Delusional Jealousy: The delusion that ones sexual partner is unfaithful. erotomanic A delusion that another person, usually of higher status, is in love with the individual.

Delusional Perception: new and delusional significance is attached to a familiar real perception without any logical reason.

Delusions Of Infidelity: (pathological jealousy, delusional jealousy, Othellos syndrome) delusional belief that ones spouse or lover is being unfaithful.

Delusions Of Reference: the behaviour of others or objects and event (e.g. television broadcasts) believed to refer to oneself in particular. When similar thoughts are held with less than delusional intensity they . . . View Full Definition

Dementia: global organic impairment of intellectual functioning without impairment of consciousness.

Denial: defense mechanism in which the subject acts as if consciously unaware of a wish or reality.

Depersonalization: An alteration in the perception or experience of the self so that one feels detached from, and as if one is an outside observer of, ones mental processes or body (e.g., feeling like one is i . . . View Full Definition

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