Adult Psychiatry Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
extrapyramidal symptoms
Neurological side effects of antipsychotic medications affecting movement and muscle control.
crisis intervention
Immediate, short-term therapeutic assistance provided during acute psychological distress.
DBT
Evidence-based psychotherapy combining cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness and distress tolerance skills.
delusion of reference
False belief that neutral environmental events are directed at or refer specifically to oneself.
DSM-5-TR
The latest revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, used for standardized psychiatric diag...
DTRs
Deep tendon reflexes, neurological tests used to assess the integrity of the nervous system in psychiatric patients.
dual diagnosis
The co-occurrence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder in the same individual.
dystonia
Involuntary muscle contractions causing abnormal postures or twisting movements, often medication-induced in psychiatric...
ECT
Medical procedure using electrical currents to induce controlled seizures for treating severe mental illness.
EPS
Extrapyramidal symptoms, movement disorders caused by antipsychotic medications affecting the basal ganglia.
euthymic mood
A normal, stable mood state characterized by the absence of significant mood elevation or depression.
extrapyramidal symptoms
Neurological side effects of antipsychotic medications affecting movement and muscle control.
flight of ideas
A thought disorder characterized by rapid succession of ideas with logical connections, commonly seen in manic episodes.
GAF score
A numeric scale rating overall psychological, social, and occupational functioning, though largely superseded by newer a...
grandiose delusion
False belief involving inflated self-worth, power, knowledge, or special relationship with a deity or famous person.
guardianship evaluation
Comprehensive psychiatric assessment to determine an individual's capacity to make personal and financial decisions.
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
Clinician-administered assessment tool measuring depression severity through structured interview.
HIPAA compliance
Adherence to federal regulations protecting patient health information privacy and security.
hypomanic episode
Distinct period of persistently elevated or irritable mood lasting at least four days, less severe than mania.
IDEAS
Mnemonic for assessing suicide risk factors: Ideation, Depression, Ethanol/drugs, Previous Attempts, Social Support.
involuntary commitment
Legal process for psychiatric hospitalization without patient consent when specific criteria are met.
involuntary medication
The legal administration of psychiatric medications to patients without their consent, typically authorized by court ord...
IOP
Intensive Outpatient Program - structured psychiatric treatment allowing patients to live at home while receiving multip...
lethality assessment
Systematic evaluation of suicide risk factors to determine the likelihood and immediacy of self-harm potential.
lithium toxicity
A dangerous condition resulting from elevated lithium levels in the blood, requiring immediate medical intervention.