Psychological Medicine Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
serotonin syndrome
Potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity, typically from drug interactions or overdoses.
pseudobulbar affect
Neurological condition causing involuntary, inappropriate emotional outbursts disconnected from actual feelings.
pseudoseizure
Non-epileptic episodes that resemble seizures but are psychological in origin rather than neurological.
psychodynamic therapy
Insight-oriented therapy based on psychoanalytic principles that explores unconscious processes and past experiences.
psychoeducation
A therapeutic intervention that provides patients and families with information about mental health conditions and treat...
psychomotor retardation
Slowing of physical movement and mental processes observed in psychiatric conditions.
rapid cycling
A course specifier in bipolar disorder indicating four or more mood episodes within a 12-month period.
response prevention
A behavioral therapy technique that involves preventing the patient from performing compulsive or avoidance behaviors.
SAMHSA
The U.S. federal agency responsible for advancing behavioral health services and reducing the impact of substance abuse...
schizoaffective disorder
A psychiatric condition featuring symptoms of schizophrenia occurring alongside major mood episodes, with psychotic symp...
serotonin syndrome
Potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity, typically from drug interactions or ov...
SOAP note
A structured documentation format used in psychiatric settings to record patient encounters using Subjective, Objective,...
social rhythm therapy
A psychotherapy approach that focuses on stabilizing daily routines and social rhythms to manage mood disorders.
subsyndromal
Having some symptoms of a psychiatric disorder but not meeting full diagnostic criteria.
sundowning
A behavioral pattern in dementia patients characterized by increased confusion, agitation, and disorientation during eve...
tangentiality
A thought disorder characterized by responses that begin relevantly but gradually drift away from the original topic wit...
TAPS
A brief screening tool designed to identify tobacco, alcohol, prescription medication, and substance use in clinical set...
tardive akathisia
Late-onset movement disorder characterized by persistent restlessness and inability to remain still, caused by long-term...
tardive dyskinesia
Late-onset movement disorder caused by prolonged use of dopamine-blocking medications.
therapeutic alliance
The collaborative working relationship between therapist and patient, characterized by mutual trust, agreement on goals,...
therapeutic milieu
Structured treatment environment designed to promote healing and behavioral change.
thought broadcasting
Delusion that one's thoughts are being transmitted to others without verbal expression.
thought insertion
A delusion in which the patient believes that thoughts are being placed into their mind by external forces.
treatment-refractory
Describing a condition that does not respond adequately to standard therapeutic interventions despite appropriate treatm...
treatment-resistant
Condition that fails to respond adequately to standard therapeutic interventions despite appropriate duration and dosing...