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Psychological Medicine Glossary

100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026

serotonin syndrome

Advanced Technical IVT

Potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity, typically from drug interactions or overdoses.

Showing 49–72 of 100

kindling effect

Professional Technical IVT

The neurobiological phenomenon where repeated episodes of mood disorders become progressively easier to trigger and more...

Technical Term Full entry →

la belle indifférence

Professional Technical IVT

An apparent lack of concern or emotional response to significant neurological symptoms, often seen in conversion disorde...

Technical Term Full entry →

lability

Intermediate Technical IVT

Rapid and unpredictable changes in emotional expression that are disproportionate to the situation.

Technical Term Full entry →

logorrhea

Advanced Technical IVT

Excessive, rapid, and often incoherent speech that is difficult to interrupt.

Technical Term Full entry →

magical thinking

Intermediate Technical IVT

The belief that one's thoughts, words, or actions can influence events in ways that defy conventional understanding of c...

Technical Term Full entry →

milieu therapy

Intermediate Technical IVT

Therapeutic approach utilizing the entire social environment as treatment tool in structured settings.

Treatment Modality Full entry →

A standardized psychometric test used to assess personality traits and psychopathology in adolescents and adults.

Assessment Tool Full entry →

MMPI-2

Professional Technical IVT

Standardized psychological test measuring personality traits and psychopathology.

Technical Term Full entry →

MMSE

Intermediate Technical IVT

A brief screening tool used to assess cognitive function and detect cognitive impairment in clinical settings.

Abbreviation Full entry →

MSE

Professional Technical IVT

Systematic evaluation of a patient's psychological functioning at the time of assessment.

Document Type Full entry →

negative symptoms

Intermediate Technical IVT

Diminished or absent normal functions in schizophrenia, including reduced emotional expression, motivation, and speech.

Technical Term Full entry →

neuroleptic

Intermediate Technical IVT

A class of psychiatric medications primarily used to treat psychotic disorders, also known as antipsychotics.

Medication Class Full entry →

neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Advanced Technical IVT

Rare but potentially fatal reaction to antipsychotic medications characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and alt...

NMS
Medical Emergency Full entry →

neuropsychiatric

Intermediate Technical IVT

Relating to mental disorders that have a clear neurological basis or involve both neurological and psychiatric symptoms.

Technical Term Full entry →

PANSS

Professional Technical IVT

A standardized 30-item rating scale used to assess symptom severity in schizophrenia.

Assessment Tool Full entry →

perseveration

Intermediate Technical IVT

Repetition of words, phrases, or responses despite changed context or appropriateness.

Technical Term Full entry →

pharmacovigilance

Professional Technical IVT

The science and practice of monitoring, detecting, and preventing adverse drug reactions and medication-related safety i...

Technical Term Full entry →

PHQ-9

Intermediate Technical IVT

A nine-item self-report questionnaire used to screen for and monitor depression severity.

Assessment Tool Full entry →

PICO format

Intermediate Technical IVT

A structured framework for formulating clinical research questions using Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, a...

Document Type Full entry →

polypharmacy

Intermediate Technical IVT

The concurrent use of multiple medications, often referring to potentially inappropriate or excessive medication regimen...

Technical Term Full entry →

polysubstance dependence

Intermediate Technical IVT

A pattern of substance use involving dependence on multiple drugs or alcohol simultaneously, complicating treatment and...

Technical Term Full entry →

poverty of content

Professional Technical IVT

Speech that is adequate in amount but conveys little meaningful information, often vague and lacking substance.

Technical Term Full entry →

pressured speech

Intermediate Technical IVT

Abnormally rapid, excessive speech that is difficult to interrupt, often seen in manic episodes.

Technical Term Full entry →

prodrome

Intermediate Technical IVT

The early phase of a mental health condition characterized by subtle symptoms that precede the full manifestation of the...

Technical Term Full entry →
Showing 49–72 of 100

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