Schizophrenia: A Handbook For Families

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Glossary

Asthma - A respiratory disease marked by intermittent fits of difficult breathing that has a wheezing sound, and is accompanied by chest constriction, coughing, and discharge of phlegm.

Behaviourism - An approach to psychology in which only observable, measurable behaviour is studied. Unconscious processes, such as dreams, have no relevance.

Biochemistry - Chemistry that deals with the chemical make-up of living organisms and their life processes.

Biological Psychiatry - A school of psychiatric thought that emphasizes physical, chemical and neurologic causes of psychiatric illness and treatment approaches.

Bipolar (Manic-Depressive) Disorder - A mental illness characterized by two opposite and extreme types of moods: episodes of mania (hyperactivity, excessive cheerfulness and excitement, decreased need of sleep, flight of ideas, etc.) and depression (marked by poor appetite and poor self-esteem, sleep disturbances [insomnia or oversleeping], hopelessness, loss of energy, suicidal ideas, etc.). An ill individual may experience a series of manic or depressive episodes, or both.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - The re-establishment of heart and lung action for cardiac arrest (sudden and often unexpected stoppage of effective heart action) using a well-defined, specialized procedure. This may include the clearance of air passages to the lungs, heart massage, and use of drugs.

Chromosome - Any one of the threadlike structures in the nucleus of a cell that function in the transmission of genetic information.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) - An inherited disorder of the exocrine glands. There is no known cure yet.

Epilepsy - A disorder characterized by disturbances of the central nervous system and usually illustrated by convulsive attacks or seizures that often leave the individual unconscious.

Forensic Unit - A hospital team that makes assessments to provide information for use in legal proceedings.

Gene - Located on a chromosome, a gene regulates a particular body function.

Genetics - The science that studies the principles and mechanics of heredity, particularly with respect to the processes by which traits are passed from parents to offspring, as well as the causes of the similarities and differences.

Hypoglycemia - A condition marked by an abnormally low level of sugar in the blood. Symptoms may include sweating, trembling hands, and heart palpitations.

Indictable Offence - An action by an individual for which he or she can be charged under the law and punished if found guilty.

Insight - With respect to mental illness, this is a person's awareness of the presence and meaning of symptoms and their origin and role in producing the illness. Although insight alone may not "cure" the illness, emotional acceptance of one's illness is often required before meaningful changes can occur and for the symptoms to diminish.

Kraepelin, Dr. Emil ( 1856-1926) - A German psychiatrist well known for his extensive classification of mental illnesses. He was one of the first to describe the concept of dementia praecox, the name formerly given to schizophrenia.

Long-Acting (Depot) Injection - This type of injection into a muscle slowly releases the medication into the bloodstream. It is usually used for patients who have difficulty taking neuroleptics orally as an out-patient, or who refuse to do so.

Maintenance Dosage - A dosage that, taken at set intervals, helps to control symptoms.

Metabolism - The physical and chemical processes in a living organism concerned with the absorption of nutrients into the blood after digestion. This involves the conversion of nutrients into energy in order to build up and maintain the organism.

Multiple or Split Personality - A generally rare disorder characterized by the appearance of two or more distinct and separate personalities in one person.

Neurosis - An emotional disturbance in which the patient's behaviour and thinking are poorly adapted and cause suffering. The patient does not exhibit psychotic symptoms and behaviour usually remains within socially acceptable limits.

Occupational Therapy - Therapy in which the patient is involved in a variety of creative tasks and activities related to daily living. This may include the making of handicrafts (carpentry, pottery, painting, etc.) and expressive activities such as participation in dramatic role playing, music or poetry reading.

Out-patient - An individual who comes to the hospital for medical or surgical care but does not need to be admitted as an in-patient.

Psychiatric Nurse - A nurse with specialized training and experience in dealing with psychiatric patients.

Psychiatrist - A licensed physician who specializes in psychiatry. Training involves a medical degree and four years or more of postgraduate training. Compare to Psychologist.

Psychiatry - The medical science that deals with the origin, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.

Psychoanalysis - A talking therapy introduced by Dr. Sigmund Freud which involves the analysis of dreams, childhood experiences, etc.. to overcome present problems. It is founded on the belief that unconscious, repressed instinctual drives and negative early childhood experiences are mainly responsible for an individual's problems.

Psychologist - A person who holds a degree in psychology from an accredited program. Psychologists involved with patient care are called clinical psychologists. They may provide psychotherapy but are not authorized to prescribe medication. Compare to Psychiatrist.

Psychology - An academic discipline, a profession, and a science dealing with the study of mental processes and behaviour of people and animals.

Psychosis - A major mental disorder in which a person's ability to think, respond emotionally, remember, communicate, interpret reality and behave appropriately is impaired to a degree that greatly interferes with the person's capacity to meet the ordinary demands of life.

Psychosomatic Illness - A disorder with physical symptoms that may be produced in part by stress or other supposedly psychological, non-physical factors.

Psychotherapy - The treatment of a patient's mental and emotional problems through verbal communication between patient and therapist. There are many types of psychotherapy, varying in aims, intensity, duration, and theoretical bases. Supportive therapy is a form of psychotherapy.

Receptor - Special places on nerve endings capable of responding to a chemical or physical stimulus from within the body or in the environment. Some drugs are known to increase or decrease sensitivity of a receptor.

Rehabilitation - The restoration of an individual to normal functioning after a disabling disease, injury, addiction, or imprisonment. Rehabilitation programs are designed to help the patient to sustain an independent existence.

Remission - The subsiding of symptoms. In schizophrenia this may take the form of the partial or complete decline of symptoms.

Schizophrenogenic - This term refers to the tendency to cause schizophrenia. Used in combination with the false and outdated belief that mothers of those ill with schizophrenia were to blame for the appearance of this disease in their offspring.

Self-help Group - A group of people who meet to improve their situation through discussion and special activities. Unlike group psychotherapy, they are not usually led by a therapist.

Sheltered Workshop - An example of an employment or vocational program involving a simulated work situation. Contracts are received from local businesses and the mentally ill individual is trained and supervised to do the work. Job types vary, depending on the institution. Common jobs are unskilled manual labour (such as factory work) and clerical work. Although the main benefits of the program are to provide basic work skills, individuals receive modest payment for their efforts.

Short-acting Injection - The use of a needle to administer neuroleptics in a muscle during an emergency situation such as an acute attack, when a quick effect is needed. The effect wears off in 12 to 24 hours maximum.

Social Worker - A person with specialized training to help individuals with their social adjustment. With regard to mental illness this may involve the counselling of individuals and their families in dealing with various social or emotional issues that are a result of the illness.

Stigma - A term indicating an individual's noticeable features--either physical or behavioural--that lead to societal rejection. In the context of mental illness, stigma refers to society's negative assessment of mentally ill people in general, often reflected in the public's negative treatment of such persons.

Vocational Counselling - Counselling involving a client's search and training for a job.

Watson, John B. (1878-1958) - An American psychologist who led the development of the behaviourist school of thought.

Wilson's Disease - A rare hereditary disorder involving the body's inability to metabolize copper. The condition causes cirrhosis of the liver and severe mental disorder.

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