Dictionary of psychosis

• Affective flattening: A reduction in the range and intensity of emotional expression, often seen in individuals with psychotic disorders.
• Agranulocytosis: A potentially life-threatening decrease in the number of white blood cells, which can be a side effect of clozapine and requires regular monitoring during treatment.
• Anosognosia: A lack of awareness or insight into one's own mental illness, such as psychosis, which can contribute to treatment nonadherence and poor outcomes.
• Anosognosia: A lack of awareness or insight into one's own mental illness, which is common among individuals with psychosis.
• Antipsychotic augmentation: The addition of another medication, such as an antidepressant, mood stabilizer, or anxiolytic, to an existing antipsychotic regimen to enhance its effectiveness in treating symptoms of psychosis.
• Antipsychotic: A class of medications used to treat symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.
• Assertive community treatment (ACT): An intensive, team-based approach to providing comprehensive and flexible support for individuals with severe mental illnesses, such as psychosis, in their communities.
• Attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS): A clinical high-risk state characterized by the presence of mild or subthreshold psychotic symptoms, which may indicate an increased risk of developing a full-blown psychotic disorder.
• Auditory hallucination: A type of hallucination in which an individual hears sounds or voices that are not present in their environment.
• Bipolar disorder: A mental disorder characterized by alternating episodes of mania or hypomania (a less severe form of mania) and depression.
• Brain imaging: Techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET), used to visualize the structure or function of the brain in individuals with mental illnesses, including psychosis, to better understand the underlying neural mechanisms.
• Brief psychotic disorder: A short-lived (usually less than one month) episode of psychotic symptoms that often occurs in response to a significant stressor.
• Capgras syndrome: A rare delusional disorder in which an individual believes that a close friend or family member has been replaced by an identical imposter, sometimes seen in individuals with psychosis.
• Case management: A collaborative process that involves assessing, planning, and coordinating care for individuals with complex mental health needs, such as those with psychosis.
• Catatonia: A state of unresponsiveness to external stimuli and muscle rigidity, often associated with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.
• Circadian rhythm: The body's internal clock, which regulates physiological processes and behaviors, such as sleep-wake cycles, and can be disrupted in individuals with mental illnesses, including psychosis.
• Clozapine: An atypical antipsychotic medication often reserved for treating treatment-resistant schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders due to its unique efficacy and potential side effects, such as agranulocytosis.
• Cognitive biases: Systematic errors in thinking or information processing that can contribute to the development and maintenance of delusions, hallucinations, or other symptoms of psychosis.
• Cognitive enhancement therapy (CET): A comprehensive, evidence-based treatment program designed to improve cognitive functioning and social cognition in individuals with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
• Cognitive remediation: A therapeutic intervention that aims to improve cognitive functioning, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving skills, in individuals with mental illnesses, including psychosis.
• Cognitive reserve: The brain's ability to adapt and compensate for damage or dysfunction, which can influence the severity and course of mental illnesses, such as psychosis.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): A psychotherapy technique that helps individuals with psychosis identify and change distorted thought patterns and beliefs related to their condition.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychosis (CBTp): A specialized form of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help individuals with psychotic symptoms identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, reduce distress, and improve functioning.
• Community mental health: An approach to providing mental health care services, including those for individuals with psychosis, within a community setting, emphasizing accessibility, integration, and social inclusion.
• Comorbidity: The presence of two or more mental or physical health conditions in an individual, which can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses like psychosis.
• Confidentiality: The ethical and legal obligation of mental health professionals to protect the privacy of information shared by individuals with mental illnesses, such as psychosis, during the course of treatment or evaluation.
• Connectomics: The study of the structural and functional connections within the brain, which can provide insights into the neural basis of mental illnesses like psychosis.
• Cotard's syndrome: A rare delusional disorder characterized by the belief that one is dead or does not exist, sometimes seen in individuals with psychosis.
• Crisis intervention: Immediate and short-term support provided to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, such as a psychotic episode, to help stabilize their condition and connect them with appropriate resources.
• Deinstitutionalization: The process of moving individuals with severe mental illnesses, such as psychosis, out of large psychiatric hospitals and into community-based care settings.
• Delirium: A sudden, temporary state of confusion and altered consciousness, often caused by medical conditions or medications, which can be accompanied by hallucinations or delusions.
• Delusion: A firmly held false belief that persists despite contradictory evidence.
• Delusional disorder: A psychiatric condition characterized by the presence of one or more delusions that persist for at least one month, without other symptoms of psychosis.
• Depersonalization: A subjective experience of feeling detached from one's body or self, which can occur in individuals with psychosis or other mental health conditions.
• Derealization: A subjective experience of unreality or detachment from one's surroundings, which can occur in individuals with psychosis or other mental health conditions.
• Disorganized thinking: A symptom of psychosis where an individual has difficulty organizing their thoughts, leading to confused and incoherent speech or writing.
• Dopamine hypothesis: A theory that suggests that an imbalance of the neurotransmitter dopamine is involved in the development of psychotic symptoms.
• Dual diagnosis: The co-occurrence of a mental health disorder, such as psychosis, and a substance use disorder, which can complicate diagnosis and treatment.
• Early intervention: A proactive approach to identifying and treating individuals at risk for or in the early stages of psychosis, aimed at reducing the severity and impact of the illness.
• Early intervention: A proactive approach to identifying and treating mental health issues, such as psychosis, in their early stages, which can improve outcomes and reduce the long-term impact on an individual's life.
• Early warning signs: Subtle changes in thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that may signal the impending onset or relapse of a mental illness, such as psychosis.
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): A medical treatment that involves applying a brief electrical current to the brain to induce a controlled seizure, which can be effective in treating severe cases of psychotic depression or treatment-resistant psychosis.
• Environmental factors: External influences, such as stress, trauma, or substance use, that can interact with genetic predispositions to increase the risk of developing mental illnesses like psychosis.
• Extrapyramidal side effects: A group of movement-related side effects, such as tremors, muscle stiffness, and involuntary movements, that can occur with the use of antipsychotic medications, particularly first-generation antipsychotics.
• Family therapy: A form of psychotherapy that involves working with families to improve communication, problem-solving, and coping skills, which can be beneficial in supporting individuals with psychosis.
• First-generation antipsychotics: A class of older antipsychotic medications, also known as typical antipsychotics, primarily used to treat positive symptoms of psychosis.
• Genetic predisposition: An increased likelihood of developing a particular condition, such as psychosis, based on an individual's genetic makeup.
• Glutamate hypothesis: A theory that suggests an imbalance of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which plays a crucial role in learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity, may contribute to the development of psychotic symptoms.
• Grey matter reduction: A decrease in the volume of grey matter, which consists of neuronal cell bodies, in certain brain regions, which has been associated with cognitive deficits in individuals with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
• Gustatory hallucination: A type of hallucination in which an individual experiences tastes that are not present in their environment.
• Hallucination: A sensory perception experienced in the absence of an external stimulus, such as hearing voices or seeing things that aren't there.
• High expressed emotion (EE): A family environment characterized by high levels of criticism, hostility, or emotional overinvolvement, which has been associated with an increased risk of relapse in individuals with psychotic disorders.
• Informed consent: The process of obtaining permission from an individual with a mental illness, such as psychosis, to participate in treatment or research after they have been provided with sufficient information about the potential risks and benefits.
• Insight-oriented therapy: A type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals with psychosis develop a better understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to their condition.
• Integrated treatment: A coordinated approach to providing simultaneous treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals with dual diagnosis involving psychosis.
• Maintenance therapy: The ongoing use of medication or other treatments to manage symptoms, prevent relapse, and promote recovery in individuals with mental illnesses, such as psychosis.
• Mania: An elevated, expansive, or irritable mood state, often accompanied by increased energy, racing thoughts, and impulsive behaviors. Mania can occur in bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder.
• Mental Health First Aid: A training program that teaches participants how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health problems, such as psychosis, in others, with the goal of providing support and connecting them to professional help.
• Mental health parity: The principle that mental health care, including care for individuals with psychosis, should be covered by insurance at the same level as physical health care.
• Mentalization-based therapy (MBT): A form of psychotherapy that focuses on enhancing an individual's ability to understand their own and others' mental states, which can help improve interpersonal functioning and emotional regulation in individuals with psychotic disorders.
• Metacognition: The ability to think about one's own thinking and evaluate the accuracy or appropriateness of one's beliefs, which can be impaired in individuals with delusions or other symptoms of psychosis.
• Mindfulness: A therapeutic technique that involves cultivating nonjudgmental awareness of one's thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, which can help individuals with psychosis manage their symptoms and reduce stress.
• Multimodal treatment: A comprehensive approach to treating mental illnesses like psychosis that combines various treatment modalities, such as medication, psychotherapy, and psychosocial interventions, tailored to an individual's specific needs.
• NMDA receptor hypothesis: A theory that suggests that dysfunction of NMDA receptors, which are involved in learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity, may contribute to the development of psychotic symptoms.
• Negative symptoms: In the context of psychosis, these refer to the absence or reduction of normal behaviors, such as social withdrawal, lack of motivation, or flattened affect.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): A rare but potentially life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic medications, characterized by high fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic instability.
• Neuropsychiatry: A medical specialty that combines elements of neurology and psychiatry to diagnose and treat mental disorders with a strong neurological basis, such as psychosis.
• Neuropsychological assessment: A comprehensive evaluation of cognitive functioning, often used to identify strengths and weaknesses in individuals with mental illnesses, including psychosis, and inform treatment planning.
• Olfactory hallucination: A type of hallucination in which an individual smells odors that are not present in their environment.
• Paranoid: A subtype of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders characterized by prominent delusions or hallucinations related to persecution or grandiosity.
• Peer support: Emotional and practical assistance provided by individuals who share similar experiences with mental illness, such as psychosis, which can help promote understanding, empowerment, and recovery.
• Personalized medicine: An approach to treatment that takes into account an individual's unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, which may improve the effectiveness and tolerability of treatments for mental illnesses like psychosis.
• Positive symptoms: In the context of psychosis, these refer to the presence of abnormal behaviors, such as hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking.
• Postpsychotic depression: A depressive episode that occurs following a psychotic episode, which can complicate the recovery process and increase the risk of relapse in individuals with psychotic disorders.
• Premorbid functioning: An individual's level of functioning in various aspects of life, such as social, academic, or occupational domains, prior to the onset of a mental illness, such as psychosis.
• Prodromal phase: The period before the onset of full-blown psychosis, characterized by subtle changes in behavior, emotions, and thinking.
• Psychiatric hospitalization: The process of admitting an individual with a mental illness, such as psychosis, to a specialized hospital or inpatient facility for assessment, stabilization, and treatment.
• Psychiatric rehabilitation: A recovery-oriented approach to helping individuals with psychosis manage their symptoms and improve their functioning in various aspects of life.
• Psychodynamic therapy: A form of psychotherapy that explores the unconscious mind's influence on an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which may help some individuals with psychosis understand the underlying emotional conflicts contributing to their symptoms.
• Psychoeducation: The process of providing individuals with mental illnesses, such as psychosis, and their families with information about their condition, its symptoms, and available treatments, which can promote understanding, reduce stigma, and facilitate recovery.
• Psychopharmacology: The study of how medications affect mood, behavior, and cognition, which is essential for understanding and treating mental illnesses, including psychosis.
• Psychosis NOS (Not Otherwise Specified): A diagnostic category used when an individual exhibits symptoms of psychosis that do not meet the criteria for a specific psychotic disorder.
• Psychosis risk factors: A combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors that can increase an individual's vulnerability to developing psychotic symptoms or disorders.
• Psychosis spectrum: A continuum of psychotic experiences ranging from subclinical symptoms (psychotic-like experiences) to full-blown psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.
• Psychosis: A mental disorder characterized by a disconnection from reality, which may include hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking.
• Psychosocial intervention: Non-pharmacological treatments aimed at improving an individual's social, emotional, and cognitive functioning, often used in combination with medication for individuals with psychosis.
• Psychotic break: A sudden onset of psychotic symptoms, often triggered by stress or other environmental factors.
• Psychotic depression: A subtype of major depressive disorder characterized by the presence of both depressive symptoms and psychotic features, such as delusions or hallucinations.
• Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs): Subclinical symptoms, such as mild hallucinations or delusions, that do not meet the criteria for a psychotic disorder but may indicate an increased risk for developing psychosis.
• Recovery model: A holistic, person-centered approach to mental health care that focuses on empowering individuals with mental illnesses, such as psychosis, to lead fulfilling lives by building on their strengths and fostering resilience.
• Relapse: A return of psychotic symptoms after a period of improvement, which can be triggered by various factors, such as medication noncompliance, stress, or substance use. 
• Resilience: The ability to adapt and recover from adversity or stress, which is an important factor in managing and recovering from mental illnesses such as psychosis.
• Schizoaffective disorder: A mental disorder characterized by the presence of both psychotic symptoms and mood disturbances, such as depression or mania.
• Schizophrenia: A chronic and severe mental disorder characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions.
• Schizophreniform disorder: A mental disorder with symptoms similar to schizophrenia, but with a duration of one to six months, which may resolve or progress to a diagnosis of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.
• Schizotypal personality disorder: A personality disorder characterized by peculiar beliefs, behaviors, and interpersonal difficulties, which may be related to schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
• Second-generation antipsychotics: A newer class of antipsychotic medications, also known as atypical antipsychotics, which are effective in treating both positive and negative symptoms of psychosis and generally have a more favorable side effect profile.
• Shared psychotic disorder (Folie à deux): A rare psychiatric condition in which delusions are shared between two or more individuals who have a close relationship.
• Sleep disturbances: Abnormalities in sleep patterns or quality, which can be both a risk factor for and a symptom of mental illnesses like psychosis.
• Social cognition: The mental processes involved in understanding and interpreting the thoughts, feelings, and intentions of oneself and others, which can be impaired in individuals with psychotic disorders.
• Social skills training: A therapeutic intervention that teaches individuals with psychosis essential social and communication skills to help them function more effectively in daily life.
• Stigma: Negative stereotypes, prejudice, or discrimination against individuals with mental illnesses, such as psychosis, which can impact their self-esteem, relationships, and access to treatment.
• Substance-induced psychosis: A type of psychosis caused by the use or withdrawal of certain substances, such as drugs or alcohol, which typically resolves once the substance is no longer in the individual's system.
• Supportive psychotherapy: A type of therapy that focuses on providing emotional support, empathy, and encouragement to individuals with mental illnesses, such as psychosis, while helping them cope with their symptoms and daily challenges.
• Tactile hallucination: A type of hallucination in which an individual feels physical sensations, such as touch or pain, in the absence of an external stimulus.
• Tardive dyskinesia: A potentially irreversible movement disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements, often affecting the face, which can be a side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic medications.
• Therapeutic alliance: The collaborative relationship between a mental health professional and an individual with a mental illness, such as psychosis, which is essential for effective treatment outcomes.
• Treatment adherence: Consistently following a prescribed treatment plan, such as taking medications as directed, attending therapy sessions, or implementing coping strategies, which is essential for managing and recovering from mental illnesses like psychosis.
• Treatment-resistant psychosis: A term used to describe cases of psychosis that do not respond adequately to conventional antipsychotic medications and other treatments.
• Ventricular enlargement: An increase in the size of the fluid-filled spaces (ventricles) within the brain, which has been observed in some individuals with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
• Visual hallucination: A type of hallucination in which an individual sees objects, people, or other images that are not present in their environment.
• White matter abnormalities: Disruptions in the structural integrity of white matter, which consists of myelinated axons, that can impair communication between different brain regions in individuals with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

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