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Glossary of Psychiatry Terms
beginning with letter A
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aberration Tweet Definition of aberration Like Definition of aberration on Facebook
noun 
  1. The act of wandering; deviation, especially from truth or moral rectitude, from the natural state, or from a type.
  • The of youth - Hall
  • Aberrations from theory - Burke
    1. A partial alienation of reason.
  • Occasional aberrations of intellect - Lingard
  • Whims, which at first are the aberrations of a single brain, pass with heat into epidemic form - I. Taylor
    1. (astronomy) A small periodical change of position in the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer.
    2. (context, optics) The convergence to different focus, foci, by a lens or mirror, of rays of light emanating from one and the same point, or the deviation of such rays from a single focus.
    3. (physiology) The passage of blood or other fluid into parts not appropriate for it.
    4. The producing of an unintended effect by the glancing of an instrument, as when a shot intended for A glances and strikes B.
    5. (context, zoology, botany) atypical development or structure
  •      
    aboulia Tweet Definition of aboulia Like Definition of aboulia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. absence of will-power or decisiveness, especially as a symptom of mental illness
    • 1969: He felt without volition, plunged into a state of . " John Fowles, The French Lieutenant's Woman
         
    abreact Tweet Definition of abreact Like Definition of abreact on Facebook
    verb 
    1. (transitive) To eliminate by relieve, relieving previously repressed emotions.
         
    abreaction Tweet Definition of abreaction Like Definition of abreaction on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (psychoanalysis) The re-living of an experience with a view to purging its emotional dross.
         
    abstinence Tweet Definition of abstinence Like Definition of abstinence on Facebook
    noun 
    1. The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulge, indulging a desire.
    The from a present pleasure that offers itself is a pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one. - w:John Locke, John Locke
    1. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages (also called total abstinence, teetotalism).
    2. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage.
    3. The practice of self-denial by depriving one's self (partly or totally) of certain kinds of food or drink, especially meat.
    Penance, fasts, and , / To punish bodies for the soul's offense. - w:John Dryden, John Dryden
         
    abulia Tweet Definition of abulia Like Definition of abulia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. Variant spelling of aboulia.
         
    acalculia Tweet Definition of acalculia Like Definition of acalculia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (pathology) The condition of lack, lacking basic mathematics, mathematical skills.
         
    acarophobia Tweet Definition of acarophobia Like Definition of acarophobia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. the fear of itching or of the insects that cause itching
         
    acrophobia Tweet Definition of acrophobia Like Definition of acrophobia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. Fear of heights
         
    aerophobia Tweet Definition of aerophobia Like Definition of aerophobia on Facebook
    noun Disputed plural. See talk page.
    1. Fear of drafts, air swallowing or airborne noxious substances.
         
    affect Tweet Definition of affect Like Definition of affect on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (psychology) Emotion.
    2. (colloquial, psychology) A strong emotional experience. See
      1. Usage notes, usage notes below.
      2. (psychology) external, External display of emotion or mood.
      He seemed completely devoid of .
    verb 
    1. (transitive) To influence or alter.
    The experience affected me deeply.
    The heat of the sunlight affected the speed of the chemical reaction.
    1. (transitive) To move to emotion.
    He was deeply affected by the themes in the play.
    1. (transitive) To make a false display of.
    He managed to a smile despite feeling quite miserable.
    1. (transitive) Of an illness or condition, to infect or harm (a part of the body).
    Hepatitis affects the liver.
         
    aggression Tweet Definition of aggression Like Definition of aggression on Facebook
    noun 
    1. The act of initiating hostility, hostilities or invasion.
    2. The practice or habit of launching attacks.
    3. Hostile or destructive behavior or actions.
         
    agitation Tweet Definition of agitation Like Definition of agitation on Facebook
    noun 
    1. The act of agitate, agitating, or the state of being agitated; the state of being moved with violence, or with irregular action; commotion.
    The sea after a storm is in .
    1. A stirring up or arousing; disturbance of tranquillity; disturbance of mind which shows itself by physical excitement; perturbation.
    She causes great within me.
    1. Excitement of public feeling by discussion, appeals, etc.
    the antislavery
    labor
    religious agitations "Prescott
    1. Examination or consideration of a subject in controversy, or of a plan proposed for adoption; earnest discussion; debate.
    a logical of the matter "L'Estrange.
    the project now in "Swift.
         
    agnosia Tweet Definition of agnosia Like Definition of agnosia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. The inability to recognize objects by use of the senses.
         
    agoraphobia Tweet Definition of agoraphobia Like Definition of agoraphobia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. The fear of wide open spaces, crowds, or uncontrolled social conditions.
         
    ailurophobia Tweet Definition of ailurophobia Like Definition of ailurophobia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. An irrational fear or hatred of cats or other felines.
         
    alexithymia Tweet Definition of alexithymia Like Definition of alexithymia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. A mental disorder, characterised by cognitive-emotional deficits.
         
    algolagnia Tweet Definition of algolagnia Like Definition of algolagnia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. a physical condition that causes a person to gain sexual pleasure by suffering pain, particularly to erogenous zones.
         
    algophobia Tweet Definition of algophobia Like Definition of algophobia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. fear of pain
         
    amentia Tweet Definition of amentia Like Definition of amentia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. Mental impairment; state of being mentally handicapped.
         
    amok Tweet Definition of amok Like Definition of amok on Facebook
    adverb (from Malay language, Malay)
    1. Out of control, especially when armed and dangerous
    2. In a frenzy of violence, or on a killing spree; berserk
         
    anaclitic Tweet Definition of anaclitic Like Definition of anaclitic on Facebook
    adjective 
    1. (psychoanalysis) denoting a person whose choice of love-interest arises from the dependence of the libido on another instinct (e.g. hunger)
    • 1982: I don"t think I have to gloss the true purport behind your need to humiliate a woman doctor symbolically. (Fowles, Mantissa)
      1. pertaining to an acute emotional dependence on another person or persons
         
    anal retentive Tweet Definition of anal retentive Like Definition of anal retentive on Facebook
    adjective 
    1. alternative spelling of anal-retentive
         
    anesthesia Tweet Definition of anesthesia Like Definition of anesthesia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (medicine) A method of preventing sensation, used to eliminate pain.
    2. The loss or prevention of pain, as caused by anesthesia.
         
    anorexia Tweet Definition of anorexia Like Definition of anorexia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. Loss of appetite, especially as a result of disease
    2. anorexia nervosa
         
    anorexia nervosa Tweet Definition of anorexia nervosa Like Definition of anorexia nervosa on Facebook
    noun 
    1. An eating disorder characterized by self starvation due to a fear of gaining weight.
         
    anorexic Tweet Definition of anorexic Like Definition of anorexic on Facebook
    noun 
    1. Somebody suffering from anorexia nervosa.
    2. A medicine which suppresses appetite.
    adjective 
    1. Pertaining to, or suffering from anorexia nervosa.
    2. thin, skinny
         
    antisocial Tweet Definition of antisocial Like Definition of antisocial on Facebook
    adjective 
    1. Unwilling or unable to associate normally with other people
    2. Antagonistic, hostile, or unfriendly toward others; menacing
    3. Opposed to social order or the principles of society
         
    anxiety Tweet Definition of anxiety Like Definition of anxiety on Facebook
    noun (anxieties)
    1. Concern or solicitude respecting some thing or event, future or uncertain, which disturbs the mind, and keeps it in a state of painful uneasiness.
      • 2005, w:Plato, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. w:Stephanus pagination, 268a.
      • : But the other, because he's been immersed in arguments, gives the appearance of harbouring considerable and suspicion that he's ignorant of those matters he presents himself to others as an expert on.
        1. (Medical) A state of restlessness and agitation, often with general indisposition and a distressing sense of oppression at the epigastrium. --Dunglison.
         
    astraphobia Tweet Definition of astraphobia Like Definition of astraphobia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. an abnormal fear of thunder and lightning
         
    asylum Tweet Definition of asylum Like Definition of asylum on Facebook
    noun 
    1. A place of safety
    2. The protection, physical and legal, afforded by such a place.
    3. A place of protection or restraint for one or more classes of the disadvantaged, especially the mentally ill.
         
    autism Tweet Definition of autism Like Definition of autism on Facebook
    noun 
    1. (clinical psychology) Abnormal self-absorption, first observed in childhood, characterised by lack of response to people and limited ability to communicate.
         
    aviophobia Tweet Definition of aviophobia Like Definition of aviophobia on Facebook
    noun 
    1. Fear of flying.
         

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