Py606 Abnormal Psychology Definitions-- Week 6 (2/13/06)

Front 1

An alteration in the perception or experience of the self so that one feels detached from, and as if one is an outside observer of, one’s mental processes or body (e.g., feeling like one is in a dream).

Back 1

Depersonalization

Front 2

A pattern of speech in which a person’s ideas slip off one track onto another that is completely unrelated or only obliquely related. In moving from one sentence or clause to another, the person shifts the topic idiosyncratically from one frame of reference to another and things may be said in juxtaposition that lack a meaningful relationship. This disturbance occurs between clauses, in contrast to incoherence, in which the disturbance is within clauses. An occasional change of topic without warning or obvious connection does not constitute derailment.

Back 2

Derailment (“loosening of associations”)

Front 3

An alteration in the perception or experience of the external world so that it seems strange or unreal (e.g., people may seem unfamiliar or mechanical).

Back 3

Derealization

Front 4

Confusion about the time of day, date, or season (time), where on is (place), or who one is (person).

Back 4

Disorientation

Front 5

A disruption in the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the environment. The disturbance may be sudden or gradual, transient or chronic.

Back 5

Dissociation

Front 6

The inability to maintain attention, that is, the shifting from one area or topic to another with minimal provocation, or attention being drawn too frequently to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli.

Back 6

Distractibility

Front 7

Imperfect articulation of speech of speech due to disturbances of muscular control.

Back 7

Dysarthria

Front 8

Distortion of voluntary movements with involuntary muscular activity.

Back 8

Dyskinesia

Front 9

A disturbance in the amount, quality, or timing of sleep

Back 9

Dysommia

Front 10

Disordered tonicity of muscles.

Back 10

Dystonia

Front 11

Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities that the individual usually enjoys.

Back 11

Anhedonia