I,

~'
)
".••••• )

choreiform or abnormal
types of dementia.
jerky movements
Glossary

of the limbs. This is seen in so me

333

l!P) . Y.5I.jch¡(}tryf1,:~cte S~mf"e

••
11 Chromosome, The paíred genes found in the nucleus of every cell, which are concerned
.. with inheritance .

•• H ,·T. H ~~;I.~Y"Y) Qang association. A word associated with another because of its similar sound.
Compulsion. A symptom in some neurotic illnesses whereby the individual feels
He e m 61n n k Un d OY) , )9 8 :2v
••••
("h compelled to act out some ritual piece o[ behaviour.
Confabula don. A tendency found in some dernentias to make up for a deficiency
in memory by giving a false, imaginary answer to questions posed.
Glossary Cooversion reacdoo. A phenomenon seen in hysteria, where a sud den alteratiorr

••
in belief or behaviour patterns may occur.

.-
Cortex. The outer part of the brain substance, as in cerebral cortex. The white

•• Abreactíon, The re-experiencing and acting out of repressed emotional material.

marter.
Cyclothymic.
happiness
The type of personality
ando sadness, for internal
characterised by swings
rather than environmentaJ
of mood
reasons.
between

••••
Acetyl-choline. One of the rnono-amine chernical transrnitters in rhe central nervous
Delirium. An acute disorder of memory and orientation, often found in high fevers,
systern whieh is important in nerve conduction, particularly in peripheral nerves
toxic states, or physical illness of sudden origino
and tbe parasympatbetic branch of the autonomic nervous supply.
Delirium tremens. The type of delirium which results from sudden withdrawal of
Aetiology. The cause of a disease .
sedative drugs, particularly alcohol.

•
Affect, A continuing emotional sta le.
Delusion. A false belief, contrary to rhe individua/'s background and intellect, and

.-••••
Affective disorder, A psyehiatric illness whose main feature is a change in emotional
not arnenable to reasoned argurnent.

••
sta te, particularly depression or elation.
Dementia. An illness resulting from degeneration of brain cells within the cortex
Amentia. Subnormality of intelligence, mental retardation or mental defieiency.
Irorn a wide variery 01' sourees, aod causing primarily disturbances of memory,
Anaclitic depression. The mor bid unresponsiveness seen in emotionally deprived young
orientauon and social awareness .
cbildren.
Dementia praecox. The old term for schizophrenia.
Angiograpby. A method of Xvray investigation whereby blood vessels are injected

.-••••
Depersonalisarion. A condition of altered awareness found in sorne psychiatric
with a radiopaque substance which will show up- on an Xvray screen as il ftows
illnesses, where the individual's body seems changed in some way.
through the vessel.
Dereaüsaríon. A similar condition to depersonalisation except it is the external
Anxiolytic. A drug used to relieve sta les of anxiety.
environment which seerns changed or differenl.
Aurisrn. An emotional withdrawaí into oneself se en in sorne psychoric states, as
Disinhibitioo. The 105S af normal inhibitions and loosening of social awareness,
in infantile autism.
which is seen in dernentias. \ .
Autochthonous idea. A primary delusion, suddenly occurring, chierly in schizophrenia,
Dlssoclatíoa.' A sta te 01' altered consciousness seen in hysterical neuroses and anxiety
which arises de /laYa and has an intense convienen 01' truth.
states, as in fugues and hysterical amnesia.
Autonomic. That part of the nervous system which is concerned wirh and controls
Diurnal. Varying during the day, as in diurnal mood swing; typical 01' ihe depressive

••
internal bodily function and emotional sta te.
phase 01' an atTeetive psychosis, where the mood is more depressed in the mornings
A group of drugs effective in controlling anxiety states. than in the eveninzs.

••••
Benzodiazepínes.
Bloenergetícs. A group therapy technique . Drug. Any substance not a food taken inro tbe body whicb will have an eflect
Bipolar affective disorder. A psychotic illness where both depressive and manic swings on the body's responses or on organisms that bave iovaded the body.
of mood occur in the sarne individual at different times .
Electra complex. The female equivalent of the Oedipal cornplex, a Freudian concept

••
B100d brain barrier. The concept which describes the inability 01' certain substances
lo pass out. 01' the blood stream into rhe cerebrospinal fluid . used in the understanding of neuroses.
Bulimia. Compulsive eating. Electrocoagulatión. A technique used in surgery to destroy the uuwanted tissue

••
,¡JI
Buryrophenones. A group of drugs effective in controlling
sorne aspects 01' schizophrenia.

Cachexia. A state of severe malnutririon.

rnanic behaviour and but reduce unnecessary

ElectroeocephaJogram
tissue damage or bleeding. The procedure
useful in surgery and in leucotomy
(EEG). A technique
operations.

the brain, rather similar to the electrocardiogram

is particularly

used for recordíng electricaí activity in

used lo measure heart waves.

",. Cataplexy. A disorder 01' the brain ~hereby a ·state of emotion lends to induce Electrolytes. Moleeules which break: down into electrically eharged ions when in

••
sudden falling asleep. solution-such as sodium, polassium or chlorine. .
Catatonia. A type 01' schizophrenia, characterised by a disturbance 01' motor activity, Electroplexy. The technique whereby an electrical current is used to induce' a
bizarre rituals aud behaviour pauerns. generalised seizure discharge in the brain substance, particularly used in the treat-

----,..
Jj Cerebellum.
coordination,
A part 01' the brain parlicularly
especially well developed in birds,
concerned wirh the balance and men t of affecti ve psyehoses.
Electrosleep, A procedure developed for the relief of anxiety and tensión' states,
Cerebrospiool fluid (CSF). The Huid which bathes the brain within the skull, and whereby a small electric current is utilised to induce sleep. lt produces anhypaotjc
the spinal chord. effect by synchronisiog the electrical brain rhythms as seen on the electroencephalo-
Chorea. A disturbance 01' the basat ganglia within the brain coordinating centres: gramo .
concerned among other things with fine movement, which, when damaged, produce Embryology. The study of the developing foerus or baby before birth:
" .
••
••
 .~. "C'
) )
334 Psychiotry
Ernpathy, A relaticnship of murual sympathy and understanding between two people.
Encephalitis, An iníection of tbe central neTVOUS system or brain by a virus.
Endocrine gland. A bormone-secreting g1and, such as the thyroid, pituitary or adrenaL
Endogeoons, A condition which ariscs Irom a disturbance within the body's own
mctabalism and not frorn the external cnvironment. Thus an endogenous depression
is a depression arising from within for chemical reasons and not due lo outside
eoviroomental cause. , . Leoeotomy. A brain operation used to lreat severe levels of tensión, depressioo,
Epílepsy. A condition where lhe nerve cells in the brain become hypersensitive and
fire off in an uncontrolled discharge, inducing a seizure or lit.
. Exhibitionísm. A term usually applied to persons wbo exhibir thcrnselves sexually
for their own grauñcation.
Forensic psychlatry, A study of the médico-legal and criminal aspects of psychiatric
illness.
Fugue. A state of altered consciousness found in epilepsy and in hysterical neuroses,
whereby the individual shows automatic behaviour without recall or subsequent
memory of the episode.
Functiooal. A term applied to tbe schizophrenic and affective psychoses to distinguish
thern from organic states, where physical iIIness may be causing psychotic
symptorns.
Ganglia. A grouping of nerve cells, oñen witb complicated interconnections and
serving particular functions within tbe central nervous systern.
G¡,neraJ paralysís of tbe insane (GPI). An old lerm for the type of dementia seen
as tbe result of lbe late eflects af syphilis.
G<stal! tberapy. A psycbotherapeutic technique by Peris,
Goitre. The swelling in the neck associated with enlargement of the tbyroid gland ..
- \
Hallucinatíon. A Ialse perception, e.g. a voice perceived without tbere being any
external stimulus to cause it.
Hebephrenia. A type of schizophrenia characterised by delusional thinking and
ballucinatory experiences.
Hnrrnones, Substances produced in the body by endocrine glands and carried by
the blood strearn to affect the body metabolism in various ways.
Hyperprolactiuaemia, An excessively high level of the hormone prolactin in the
body, sometimes associated with growthsio the pituitary gland, and with impotence.
Hypertbermia, An excessively high .body temperature, This can be created
deliberately in the treatment of certain chronic brain infections, sucb as late syphilis,
Hypoglycaemia, An abnormally low level of sugar in the body, usually resulting
either from insulin being given to an individual to induce such a state, by diabetics
accidentally giving lbemselves too mucb insulin, or from an insulin-secreting growth
or tumour in the pancreatic gland.
Hypomanla, A condition of abnormally elated mood or euphoria. A milder degree
of mania,
Hysteria, A neurotic state where a disordered bodily function exists 'wilhoul
appropriate physical cause.
Illusion. A distorted perception due lo false recognition of some externa! stímulus.
Imprinting. A process whereby a youog animal learns certain patterns of behaviour
al crilÍcal stages in i~ development.
lntraveoous. Injeetioo ioto a veio.
lonise. Thc property of some cbemicals when in solUlÍOD to become electrically
cbarged. 'i:~
1.
Keraotis. A bomy bardening of lbe outer layers of the skio.
Kerwcteras. The deposilÍon of bile saJts in lbe brain substance, usually seco in
new-born babics when lhere has been a rhesus blood incompatibility between
mother and ehild.
Lability of mood. A condition found principally in dernentias, showing sudden swiogs
from sadness lo bappiness, or vice versa, whicb are exeessive in !he circumstances
appertaining al the lime.
and obsessional states, whereby certain nerve tracts leading from lbe limbic lobe
lo the frontal cortex are divided.
Limbic lobe. That part of the central nervous system, principally i.! lbe mid-brain, .
composed of lbe amygdaloid nucleus, hippocampus, Iornix and other connections,
and concemed witb the control of emotionallevels and responses in lbe individual.
Manía. A psychiatric illness associated with euphoria and abnormally elaled mood,
and often seen as pan of a bipolar afTeetive psycbosis.
Manic-depressíve psychosis. Tbe old term for a bipolar alTeetive disorder.
Meiosis, Par! of lbe process of división of the reproductive cell before fertilisation.
Metabolites. The producís of chernical processes acting on proteins, carbohydrates,
and fats -within the body. Often the breakdown producís of enzyme proteins.
Milieu therapy. The term lo describe lbe psycholherapeutic process in a lberapeutic
community.
Mitosis. The process in cell division where the ehrornosome pairs separa le and
the cell splits into two oew cells.
Mono-amines, A group of chemical transmitter substances in the brain.
Mutation. A change, The process io inheritance where a new factor which was
not presenl in tbe previous generation occurs.
Narcolepsy. An abnormal or pathological tendency lo Iall asieep.
Neuropathy. An inflammalÍon or degeneration of nerve cells.
Neurosis (psycboneurosis). A psychiatricdisorder, usually of milder type, wbere anxiety
is lbe predorninant Ieature and insight is retained,
Obsessiou. The mental preoccupation witb somelbing, wbich in obsessiooal neurosis
usually has ritualistic features.
Oedipus complex. A concept Iormulated by Freud and given its narne from lhe
Greek legend of King Oedipus, lo. explain the development of sorne neuroses
due lo lbe failure of the male chiJd to be able lo resolve its conflicts of love
for the opposite-sexed parenl, and a jealousy of the same sexed parent.
Oestrogeo. The principal female hormone Iormed in the ovaries.
Organic rulnerabilíty. The situation in an early dementing state wben the brain
is just functioning effectively in maximal conditions, but where symptoms of
COnfuSiODbegin to occur if other illness should supervene aod the metabolic
efficieney of the brain be disturbed.
Paediatrics, Thc study of disease in children ..
Paedophilia. Unnatural sexual desire aroused in someone lbrougb association with
children.
Paranoid. Morbidly suspicious thinking, often' of delusional cbaracter, wilb ideas
of persecutioo, as seco in the condition of~~ranoia and in paranoid schizophrenia.
Paraphrenia, A psychotic paral10id iUness n!sembling schizaphrenia, in old age_
PlITlIS)'lIlpalbeoc. Thal braneh of lhe autonomic Dervous system cODcemed with
inlernal glandular seerelions and states of sexual arousal or ereetion.
Parlúosonísm. A stale of tremor, particularly !he piU-rolling tremor of lbe hands,
m.usele stirrness, shufIling gait and excessive salivatioD seen in Parkioson's Disease
aod in some diseases of tbe basal ganglia due lo hardening of lbe artenes.
Parkinsonism may also be drug-induced as a side-errect of some neuroleptic drugs.
 ••
••
) )

.,.•• 336 Psychiatry

Phenothiazines and butyrophenones may particularly induce Ibis state, bul it Sodium. An atom of importaoee
Glossary

inits ionised form, along with potassium,

337

in nerve-·

••
is reversible and can be cleared up by reducing the dosage or addiog an anti- cell conduction. It is a component of sadium chloríde or common salt, lts level
Parkinsonian drug, such as benzhexol. is raised in the cell of patients suffering from aJTective psychosis. The giviog of
Pathology, The study of morbid change in the bady or body tissues. an inert salt, lithiurn chloride, sinee lithium does not ionise in solution, causes

•• PeripheraJ oeuropathy. Damage to the nerve endings supplying the peripheral paro a reduction in intra-cellular sodium in patients, sinee the moleeules are replaced

••
of the body, particularly, therefore, the hands and feet. This can occur fram on a one-for-one basis,
a varieryof causes, such as toxic processes, poisons, vitamin deficiencies, or neuro- Soma ríe. Belonging to the body-physical symptoms, such as palpitations, or pain,

••
logical disease, such as multiple sclerosis. such as headache.

.-
Phencthiazines. A graup of chemícals wilh a basic tricyclic benzyl ring structure Somlec. Electrosleep, a rreatment used in states of anxiety and tensión.

••
which are vaJuable in the treatrnent of schizophrenia and other psychotic illness. Standard devíatíoe, A statistical concepl lo describe the degree LO which the item
In small doses lhey may also be used to control anxiety . lo be rneasured deviates or diverges Irorn the average.
Pilo-erecríon, The hair standing on end, as ii does in some rnammals when in a Stereorypy. Stereoryped repetiuve behaviour. of a meaningless characler which may
slate of anxieiy or arousal. be seen in dernentias or in the pseudo-dementia of more serious schizophrenic
Piacebo. An inert substance which is not a drug, given instead of medication for breakdown.

d us psychological benefit only. A placebo may be used (O compare rhe eflectiveness

01" a new active drug in treatrnent, as in a clinical tria!'
SubduraJ haemarorna. A eolleclion of blood in the subduraJ spaee below the skull,
which may collect as a result. of a blow or injury to the skull and which, 9Y

.-••••
d Prognosis. The ouilook or outcorne 01' a disease. enlarging, can cause pressure on the brain.

•• Prophylaxís,
PsycltiatrisL
Attempting

moad, thinking or behaviour.

Psychoanalyst.
lo prevent the 'onse: <if a disease, e.g. irnrnunisation.
A doctor who specialises

A person not necessarily

a personal training analysis based on Freudian
.
in conditions
.
which cause disturbances

medically qualified
theory .
who has undergone
of
Symparhetíc
concemed

. Synapse.
nervous sysrem, That parl of the auronornic

responses and functions by means of the mono-amine

Tbe nerve-cell junction
transrniued
where the electrical
to the next by means of chemicaJ transrniuer agenrs,
nervous system which is
with preparing the organism for fighting or ñight. 11 mediates Iear
noradrenalin.
impulse fram one cell is

Psychodrama. A psychorherapeuric rechnique. Syphllis, A venereal disease, usually conlracted bysexual intercourse, which can,
Psycho-geriatric dlsorders. Psychiatric problems appertaining to old age . if umreared, after many years affect the central nervous system, if the brain

••
Psychologist. One who specialises in the srudy of mental mechanisms and may substance is invaded by the infecting organism, a spirochaete. If tbe spinal eolumn
work in the educational, health service or research fields, He is not medically is mainly affecred, the condition is Icnown as tabes, and if the central nervous
system is affecred, as general paralysis of the insane or GPI.

••
qualified but may work in association with psychiatrists in hospital on rhe testing
of mental processes in pauerus 01' take par! in behaviourally orientated trealment
programmes.
Tardive dyskinesia, Abnonnal rnovernents of the muscles, particularly of the mouth
••• Psychology. The study of normal mental mechanisms .
and tengue, due lO degeneration in the basal ganglia as a result in so me cases

••
Psychopathology. The study 01" the psyehological processes which may be helping
of long-term use of high dosage phenorhiazines, particularly rhe type with an
to cause disease .
aiiphauc side-chain, such as chlorpromazine. \

••
••
Psychopathy. A condition
aggressive behaviour.
Psychosís, A serious psychiatric
where the individual shows persistently

illness, such as schizophrenia,

irresponsible

in which insight is
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). A seizure discharge occurring

Major nls are not, therefore, caused, but bizarre disturbances

in the temporal lobe
of the cerebral cortex in rhe brain, without generalising lO rhe whole brain substance,
of motor function

--
frequeruly lost.
or sensation and episodes of disturbed memory mal' occur.
Psychosomatic, Disease where dernonstrable physical change can be found in rhe
Tesrosrerone. The principal male sex hormone, pradueed within the testes.
body but where rhere is an association with psycbological factors in its cause.
Thalamus. A collection of ganglia wirhin the central pan of the brain which is
Pubococcygeus rnuscles. The perineal rn<fllCles, which stretch from the pubic bone
,JJ across the base of the abdominal cavity to the spine, and whicb surround and
of considerable
and, in particular,
importance as a coordinater of responses from various sources,
the 'limbic lobe, which subserves emotional sta le.
form sphincrer rnuscles to control the passage 01" material through the urethra
,Jj or recturn, These muscles also surround the vagina aud are relevant in the condition
Thíopentone. A rapid-acting barbiturate anaestbeuc used in anaesthesia for electro-

••
plexy and as an intravenous abreactive technique.
of vaginismus.
Thioxantbines. A group 01"drugs similar to phenothiazines and used in the !reatmenl
Pyknic. Thal type ofbody eonfiguration eharaclerised by fally deposilS and a square-

••
of schizophrenia.
shaped frame, u5ually associated Wilh the cyclothymic personalily and a lendency
to bipolar atTective psychotic illness.
Transference. The development by a patient oe an emolional relationship wilh the

••
therapist during psl'chotherapy, particularly that of analytical type.
Transvestism. The need or compulsion to eross-{iress in c10thes nonnally appropriate

••
Redcular fonnadoD_ That part of Ihe mid and hind brain associated with levels
lO the Opposile se:c
of arousal, and with inlimate conneclions to the limbic lo be .
Trans-sexuaüsm. Condition of individuals wbo desire to be of the olher se x, and
feel lhal their per~onality is trapped in·the ..•.Tong-sexed body. Such individuals

••• Scltizophrenia. A psychotic illness or graup of illnesses characterised principaUy

may wish lO undergo a sex-change operation.

••
by disorders of thinlcing.
ScÚUlle. A drug used to induce paralysis
Trauma. Damage lo the body or psychological processes of an individual.
of Ihe muscles during anaestbesia, and
Tribadism. Anolher name ror lesbianism or female bomosexuality.

••
useful in preventing the muscular contractions associaled with electraplexy.
Sex-Iinlced.. Tho lype 01"inheritanee of a disease factor wbich is linked lo tbe female

••
or X cbromosome. Thus a recessive factor will be manifested in males who have Uni¡>olar lllfective disorder. A psychotic depressive slate, endogenous depression,
only one X chromosome, bul females will be carricrs . Or unirolar depression, where no phases of maGia or hypomania occur.

••
••
 r,
) )
338 Psychiatry

Vaginitis. A painful inflammatory condition of the vagina, often due lo bacteria]

or fuogal infection, .
Venexpereotial psychotherapy. A concepl in family therapy by Howells.
Visual analogue scale, A method of assessing experience or mood, such as anxiety,
by requesting patients to rate thernselves 00 a straight liue, with maxirnum al
one end and minimum at lbe other.
Voyeurism. The obtaining of sexual gratification by watching others undress or
perform sexual acts,

Wasserman Reaetion (WR). A test used to diagnose syphilis, especially in its later
Index
stages, from a blood test.

..,.;~'

j
~