Neuropsychiatry Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
psychomotor agitation
Physical restlessness and increased motor activity associated with psychological distress, commonly seen in mood disorders.
phenytoin
Antiepileptic medication that can cause cognitive and psychiatric side effects.
positive symptoms
Abnormal experiences or behaviors that are present in psychiatric conditions but absent in healthy individuals.
postictal confusion
A state of disorientation and cognitive impairment that occurs immediately following a seizure.
pressured speech
Rapid, excessive, and difficult-to-interrupt speech pattern often associated with mania or hypomania in bipolar disorder...
prodromal phase
The early stage of a neuropsychiatric disorder before full diagnostic criteria are met.
pseudobulbar affect
Neurological condition characterized by involuntary, sudden episodes of crying or laughing that are disproportionate or...
pseudodementia
Reversible cognitive impairment caused by psychiatric conditions, particularly severe depression.
psychoeducation
An educational intervention that teaches patients and families about mental health conditions and treatment strategies.
psychomotor agitation
Physical restlessness and increased motor activity associated with psychological distress, commonly seen in mood disorde...
psychomotor retardation
Observable slowing of physical movements and mental processes, commonly seen in severe depression.
psychotropic medication
Pharmaceutical agents that affect the mind, emotions, and behavior by altering brain chemistry.
rapid cycling
A pattern of bipolar disorder characterized by four or more mood episodes within a 12-month period.
REM sleep behavior disorder
Sleep disorder characterized by acting out dreams during REM sleep due to loss of normal muscle paralysis.
semantic dementia
Progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by gradual loss of semantic knowledge while other cognitive functi...
serotonin syndrome
A potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity, typically resulting from medication...
SSRI discontinuation syndrome
A collection of symptoms that can occur when stopping or reducing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications.
sundown syndrome
Worsening of behavioral and cognitive symptoms in the late afternoon or evening hours.
sundowning
Behavioral and psychological symptoms that worsen during late afternoon and evening hours, commonly observed in dementia...
tangentiality
A thought disorder where responses begin relevantly but gradually drift away from the original question or topic.
tardive dyskinesia
A late-onset movement disorder featuring involuntary repetitive movements, typically caused by long-term antipsychotic u...
thought broadcasting
A delusion in which patients believe their thoughts can be heard or accessed by others without verbal expression.
thought insertion
A delusion in which patients believe that external thoughts are being placed into their mind by others.
treatment-resistant depression
Major depressive disorder that fails to respond adequately to standard antidepressant treatments.
utilization review
A systematic evaluation process to determine the medical necessity, appropriateness, and efficiency of healthcare servic...