Psychiatric Terminology

Course Rationale
Medical Healthcare professionals must have a comprehensive medical vocabulary in
Terminology order to communicate effectively with other health professionals. They
should be able to use terminology related to psychiatry when discussing
medications.
Unit XV
Diagnostic Objectives
Procedures and
Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:
Pharmacology
• Know the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and other
mental health specialist
Essential • Define and decipher common terms that describe psychiatric
Question symptoms
What medical • Analyze unfamiliar terms using the knowledge of word roots, suffixes
terms are used and prefixes gained in the course
in psychiatry? • Apply new knowledge to understanding medical terms in their proper
contexts
TEKS
Engage
130.203 (c)(1)
Show the ink blots to the class one at a time. Have students write what they
(A), (B), (C), (F).
think the ink blots resemble. After all ink blots have been shown and
2(B), 4 (A), (B),
students have recorded their thoughts, have a few students share
5 (B), (C),(D),
observations as you again hold up each ink blot. Explain to the class that
(E)
during this lesson, they will be learning works associated with the field of
psychiatry.

Prior Student Key Points

Learning
I. Psychiatry -- The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis,
Basic medical treatment and prevention of mental illness
terminology: II. Psychiatrist
roots, prefixes a. Completes the same medical training as physicians and
and suffixes receives an MD degree
b. Then spends a variable number of years training in the
methods and practice of psychotherapy and
Estimated time psychopharmacology
6-8 hours c. 4 years of residency training
d. Extra years of fellowship training
III. Psychotherapy
a. Psychological techniques for treating mental disorders
b. Psychopharmacology
c. Drug therapy

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 IV. Types of Psychiatrists
a. Child Psychiatrists – Specializes in the treatment of children
b. Forensic psychiatrists – Specializes in the legal aspects of
psychiatry, such as the determination of mental competence in
criminal cases
c. Psychoanalysts
i. Completes 3-5 years of training in a special
psychotherapeutic technique called psychoanalysis
ii. A patient freely relates his or her thoughts and
associations to the analyst, who does not interfere
iii. Interpretations are offered at appropriate times
V. Psychologist
a. Nonmedical professional
b. Trained in methods of psychotherapy, analysis and research
c. PhD or EdD degree program in a specific field of interest
i. Clinical psychology (patient –oriented)
ii. Experimental research
iii. Social psychology (focusing on social interaction and
the ways the actions of others influence the behavior of
the individual)
VI. Clinical psychologist
a. Can use various methods of psychotherapy to treat patients
b. Cannot prescribe drugs
c. Cannot prescribe electroconvulsive therapy
d. Trained in the use of tests to evaluate various aspects of
mental health and intelligence
e. IQ test
i. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
ii. Stanford-Binet intelligence Scale
f. Personality Test
VII. Rorschach technique (Inkblots)
VIII. Thematic Apperception Test (Pictures used to stimulate stories)
IX. Graphomotor projection test (Draw a person test)
X. Bender-Gestalt Test (draw geometric designs )
XI. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (true-false questions
that reveal aspects of personality)
XII. Other non-physicians
a. Social workers
b. Psychiatric nurses
c. Licensed mental health clinicians
XIII. Psychiatric Clinical symptoms
a. Amnesia: loss of memory
b. Anxiety: varying degrees of uneasiness, apprehension and
dread
c. Apathy: absence of emotions; lack of interest or motivation

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 d. Compulsion: uncontrollable urge to perform an act repeatedly
e. Conversion: anxiety becomes bodily symptoms, such as
blindness, deafness or paralysis, that does not have a physical
basis
f. Delusion: a fixed, false belief that cannot be changed by logical
reasoning or evidence
g. Dissociation: uncomfortable feelings are separated from their
real object
h. Dysphoria: sadness, hopelessness
i. Euphoria: exaggerated feeling of well-being
j. Hallucination: false or unreal sensory perception(hearing
voices not present, seeing things not present)
k. Labile Variable: undergoing rapid emotional change
l. Mania: elation or irritability, associated with distractibility,
hyperactivity, talkativeness, injudicious acts, flight of ideas and
racing thoughts
m. Mutism: little speech and negative or minimal thought and
behavior
n. Obsession: involuntary, persistent idea or emotion
o. Paranoia: overly suspicious system of thinking: fixed delusion
that one is being harassed, persecuted or unfairly treated
XIV. Psychiatric Disorders
a. Freud believed that personality is made up of three major parts
i. Id
1. Represents the unconscious instincts and
psychic energy present from birth
2. Contains basic drives that seek immediate
gratification
ii. Ego
1. Central coordinating branch of the personality
2. It is the mediator between the id and the outside
world
iii. Superego
1. Internalized conscience and moral part of the
personality
2. Encompasses the sense of discipline derived
from parental authority and society
b. Freud believed that when conflicts arise between two or more
of these aspects, psychological disorders would occur
c. Psychosis: used to describe mental illness
d. Involves significant impairment of reality testing with false
beliefs, hallucinations and strange behavior
XV. Defense mechanism
a. Techniques people use to ward off the anxiety produced by
conflicts

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 XVI. Anxiety Disorders
a. Characterized by anxiety
b. unpleasant tension, distress, troubled feelings and avoidance
behavior
c. Panic disorder is a period of intense fear or discomfort in which
symptoms develop abruptly
i. Palpitations, sweating, trembling, SOB, feeling of
choking, chest pain
ii. Nausea, feeling dizzy, feelings of unreality, fear of losing
control, fear of dying, hot flashes, numbness
iii. Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
iv. Reaches a peak within 10 minutes
v. Persistent concerns about having another panic attack
vi. Can happen in other anxiety disorders
d. Phobic disorders: characterized by irrational or debilitation
fears
i. Can be associated with a situation or specific object
ii. Object that it fears is often symbolic of an unconscious
conflict
iii. The victim goes to extreme lengths to avoid the object of
his fear
iv. Panic attacks can occur in anticipation of a phobic
situation
e. Agoraphobia: fear of being in open, crowded, public places
i. Persons with this disorder limit their normal activities to
avoid situations that trigger their anxiety
ii. Feels more comfortable at home
f. Social phobia: fear of situations in which the affected person is
open to public scrutiny which could result in possible
embarrassment
i. Example: fear of speaking in public, using public
lavatories or eating in public
g. Claustrophobia: fear of closed-in places
h. Acrophobia: fear of heights
i. Zoophobia: fear of animals
j. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
i. Involves recurrent thoughts and repetitive acts that
dominate the patient’s life
ii. Experiences anxiety if he is prevented from performing
special rituals
iii. Often consumes time and interferes with the individual’s
social or occupational functioning
k. Post-traumatic stress disorder: development of symptoms
following exposure to a traumatic event
i. Intense fear, helplessness, insomnia, nightmares and

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 diminished responsiveness to the external world
ii. Flashbacks and anxiety often triggered by reminders
occur in episodes long after a life-threatening event
iii. People avoid situations with reminders
l. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
i. Chronic anxiety and exaggerated worry and tension
even when there is little or nothing to provoke such
feelings
XVII. Delirium
a. An acute, temporary disturbance of consciousness
characterized by mental confusion and psychotic symptoms
i. Rambling, irrelevant or incoherent speech
ii. Sensory misperception
iii. Disorientation as to time, place, or person with memory
impairment
b. Caused by a variety of conditions:
i. Drug intoxication or withdrawal
ii. Seizure or head trauma
iii. Metabolic disturbances (hypoxia, hypoglycemia,
electrolyte imbalances, hepatic or renal failure
c. Delirium tremens: brought on by stopping alcohol consumption
suddenly after prolonged periods of alcohol ingestion
XVIII. Dementia
a. A general, gradual loss of intellectual abilities
b. Impairment of judgment, memory and abstract thinking
c. Changes in personality
d. Difficulty with language and simple ADLs
XIX. Dissociative Disorder
a. Condition involving breakdown in memory, identity or
perception
b. Persons with this disorder escape reality through amnesia,
fugue (sudden travel away from home or work) or alternate
identities
XX. Eating Disorders
a. Severe disturbances in eating behavior
b. Anorexia nervosa
i. Refusal to maintain a minimally normal body weight
ii. Intensely afraid of gaining weight
iii. Relentless attempt to diet and compulsion to over
activity
c. Bulimia nervosa
i. Binge eating followed by purging
ii. Self-induced vomiting and misuse of laxatives or
enemas
XXI. Mood Disorders

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 a. A condition of prolonged, intense abnormal mood, that
dominates an individual’s entire mental life
b. Bipolar disorder
i. Manic episodes (euphoria) alternating with depressive
episodes
ii. Hypomania Bipolar disorder I: more manic episodes,
often alternating with major depressive episodes
iii. Bipolar disorder II: recurrent major depressive episodes
alternating with hypomanic episodes
c. Cyclothymic disorder
i. Mild form of bipolar disorders
ii. Characterized by at least 2 years of hypomania and
numerous depressive episodes that do not meet the
criteria that defines a major depressive episode
d. Depressive disorders: marked by occurrence of one or more
major depressive episodes without a history of mania or
hypomania
e. Major depression
i. Episodes of severe dysphoria (sadness, hopelessness)
and changes in weight and sleep disorders
ii. Feelings of worthlessness, difficulty thinking or
concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide
f. Dysthymia (dysthymic disorder)
i. Depressed mood that persists over a 2-year period but
is not as severe as major depression
g. Seasonal Affective Disorder
i. Relationship between the onset on an episode of
depressive disorder and a particular period of the year
ii. Regular appearance of depression for approximately 60
days, between the beginning of October and the end of
November
h. A change from depression to mania or hypomania also may
occur within a 60-day period from mid-February to mid-April
XXII. Personality Disorders
a. Antisocial
i. No loyalty to or concern for others
ii. Without moral standards
iii. Acts only in response to desires and impulses
iv. Cannot tolerate frustration and blames others when at
fault
b. Borderline
i. Instability in interpersonal relationships and sense of self
ii. Alternating involvement with and rejection of people
iii. Frantic efforts are made to avoid real or imagined
abandonment

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 c. Histrionic
i. Emotional, attention-seeking, immature and dependent
ii. Irrational outburst and tantrums
iii. Flamboyant and theatrical
iv. Having general dissatisfaction with self and angry
feelings about the world
d. Narcissistic
i. Grandiose sense of self-importance or uniqueness
ii. Preoccupation with fantasies of success and power
e. Paranoid
i. Continually suspicious and mistrustful of other people,
but not to a psychotic degree
ii. Jealous and overly concerned with hidden motives of
others
iii. Quick to take offense
f. Schizoid
i. Emotionally cold and aloof
ii. Indifferent to praise or criticism or the feelings of others
iii. Few friendships and rarely appears to experience strong
emotions (anger or joy)
XXIII. Developmental Disorders --Characterized by delays in the
development of socialization and communication skills
a. Autism: commonly appearing during the first 3 years of life.
Autistic people may exhibit traits such as resistance to change,
using gestures instead of words, repeating words, tantrums,
not wanting to be touched, little eye contact, sensitivity to
sound, uneven gross/fine motor skills and obsessive
attachment to objects
b. Asperger syndrome
i. Sometimes referred to as a less severe type of autism
ii. Usually have normal language skills and normal
intelligence
iii. Don’t know how to interact with others
iv. Difficulty with abstract concepts
v. Repetitive and restricted patterns of behavior
XXIV. Schizophrenia
a. Chronic psychotic disorder
i. Delusions: belief that internal thoughts are broadcast to
the external world
ii. Hallucinations: voices or sounds that do not exist
iii. Thought disorder: ideas shift from one subject to
another, completely unrelated
iv. Disorder of movement: involuntary movements,
mannerisms or clumsiness, uncoordinated
v. Flat affect; no signs of expression

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 vi. Impaired interpersonal functioning and relationship to
the external word
b. Catatonic type: the patient is mute and does not move or react
to the outside environment
c. Disorganized type: patient exhibits disorganized speech and
behavior and flat or inappropriate affect
d. Paranoid type: the patient experiences prominent delusions of
grandeur or persecution and auditory hallucinations
e. Residual type: flat affect, fatigue, withdrawal, and lack of
motivation
XXV. Sexual Disorders
a. Paraphilia: recurrent intense sexual urges, fantasies, or
behavior that involve unusual objects, activities or situations
i. Exhibitionism: compulsive need to expose one’s body,
particularly the genitals
ii. Fetishism: use of nonliving objects as substitutes for a
human sexual love object
iii. Sexual masochism: sexual gratification is gained by
being humiliated, beaten, bound or otherwise made to
suffer by another person
iv. Sexual sadism: sexual gratification is gained by inflicting
physical or psychological pain or humiliation on others
v. Transvestic fetishism: cross-dressing
vi. Voyeurism: sexual excitement is achieved by observing
unsuspecting people who are naked, or engaged in sex
b. Sexual dysfunctions: disturbances in sexual desire or change
in sexual response
i. Gender Identity Disorder
1. A strong and persistent cross-gender
identification with the opposite sex
2. Preference for cross-dressings and cross-gender
roles
3. Persistent fantasies about being the other sex
XXVI. Somatoform Disorders
a. Patient’s mental conflicts are expressed as physical symptoms
b. Conversion disorder: loss of physical functioning that suggest a
physical disorder but is instead an expression of a
psychological conflict or need
c. Hypochondriasis: a preoccupation with body aches, pains and
discomforts in the absence of real illness
XXVII. Substance-related Disorders
a. Characterized by symptoms and behavioral changes
associated with regular use of substances that affect the
central nervous system
i. Psychological dependence: compulsion to continue

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 taking a drug despite adverse consequences
ii. Physical dependence: onset of withdrawal symptoms
when the drug is discontinued abruptly
iii. Tolerance: declining effect of the drug so that the dose
must be increased to give the same effect
b. Alcohol: dependence often associated with the use and abuse
of alcohol, and sometimes leads to abuse of more lethal drugs
c. Amphetamines: CNC stimulants are taken orally or
intravenously
d. Cannabis: class of drugs includes all substance with
psychoactive properties derived from the cannabis plant
e. Cocaine: a stimulant drug that produces euphoria as well as
vasoconstriction, tachycardia and hypertension
f. Hallucinogens: produce a state of CNC excitement,
hyperactivity, hallucinations, delusions, hypertension and mood
changes.
g. Opioids: group includes heroin and morphine and synthetic
drugs with morphine-like action, such as codeine
h. Sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics: these drugs have a
soothing relaxing, euphoric effect and also can produce sleep
XXVIII. Therapeutic Modalities
a. Psychotherapy: treatment of emotional disorders by using
psychological techniques
b. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): short-term, focused
psychotherapy or a wide range of psychological problems
c. Family Therapy: treatment of an entire family to help members
resolve and understand their conflicts and problems
d. Group Therapy: a group with a health professional leader as
moderator; patients with similar problems gain insight into their
own personalities through discussions and interactions with
each other
e. Hypnosis: a trance state is created to help recovery of deeply
repressed memories
f. Insight-oriented Psychotherapy: uses face-to-face discussion
of life problems and associated feelings
g. Play Therapy: the child uses play with toys to express conflicts
and feelings that he or she is unable to communicate in a direct
manner
h. Psychoanalysis: long-term and intense form of psychotherapy
seeks to influence behavior and resolve internal conflicts by
allowing patients to bring their unconscious emotions to the
surface
i. Sex Therapy: can help people overcome sexual dysfunctions
j. Supportive Psychotherapy: the therapist offers encouragement,
support and hope to patients facing difficult life transitions and

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 events
XXIX. Drug Therapy
a. Antianxiety and antipanic agents: drugs lessen anxiety,
tension, and agitation
b. Antidepressants: drugs gradually reverse depressive
symptoms and return the patient to a more even state
c. Anti-obsessive-compulsive disorder agents: are prescribed to
relieve the symptoms of OCD
d. Antipsychotics: these drugs modify psychotic symptoms and
behavior
e. Hypnotics: used to produce sleep and relieve insomnia
f. Mood stabilizers: used primarily to treat patients with mania-
predominant form of bipolar disease
g. Stimulants: prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD)

XXX. Vocabulary
Term Meaning
affect External expression of emotion response
amnesia Loss of memory
anorexia nervosa Eating disorder with excessive dieting and refusal to
maintain a normal body weight
anxiety disorders Characterized by unpleasant tension, distress, and
avoidance behavior; examples are panic disorder,
phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic
stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder
apathy Absence of emotions; lack of interest or emotional
involvement
autism Pervasive development disorder characterized by
inhibited social interaction and communication, and by
restricted, repetitive behavior
bipolar disorder Mood disorder with alternating periods of mania and
depression
bulimia nervosa Eating disorder with binge followed by vomiting,
purging and depression
cannabis Substances (cannabis plant) from which marijuana is
made
compulsion Uncontrollable urge to perform an act repeatedly
conversion disorder Condition marked by physical symptoms with no
organic basis appearing as a result of anxiety and
unconscious inner conflict
defense mechanism Unconscious technique (coping mechanism) a person
uses to resolve or conceal conflicts and anxiety; it

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 protects the individual against anxiety and stress;
examples are acting out, denial and repression
delirium Confused thinking, disorientation, changes in alertness,
difficulty paying attention, and fearfulness. This is
usually a reversible impairment in thinking. Delirium
tremens is associated with alcohol withdrawal
delusion Fixed, false belief that cannot be changed by logical
reasoning or evidence
dementia Loss of intellectual abilities with impairment of
memory, judgment and reasoning as well as changes in
personality
depression Major mood disorder with chronic sadness, loss of
energy, hopelessness worry, and discouragement and,
commonly, suicidal impulses and thoughts
dissociative disorder Chronic or sudden disturbance in memory, identity, or
consciousness; examples are multiple personality
disorder, psychogenic disorders, amnesia, and fugue
ego Central coordinating branch of the personality or mind
fugue Flight from customary surroundings; dissociative
disorder
gender identity Strong and persistent cross-gender identification with
disorder the opposite sex
hallucination False sensory perceptions; energy form instinctual
drives and desires
id Major unconscious part of the personality (energy from
instinctual drives and desires
labile Unstable; undergoing rapid emotional change
mania Extreme excitement, hyperactive elation, and agitation
mood disorders Prolonged emotion dominates a person’s life
mutism Nonreactive state with inability to speak (aphonia)
obsessive-compulsive Anxiety disorder in which recurrent thoughts and
repetitive acts dominate behavior
paranoia Overly suspicious system of thinking; fixed delusions
that one is being harassed, persecuted, or unfairly
treated
Paraphilia Recurrent intense sexual urge, fantasy, or behavior that
involves unusual objects, activities, or situations
personality disorders Lifelong personality patterns marked by inflexibility and
impairment of social functioning
pervasive Group of childhood disorders characterized by delays in
developmental socialization and communication skills (examples:
disorders autism, Asperger syndrome

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phobia Irrational or disabling fear of an object or situation
post-traumatic stress Anxiety-related symptoms appear after personal
disorder experience of a traumatic event
projective Diagnostic personality test using unstructured stimuli
(personality) test to evoke responses that reflect aspects of an
individual’s personality.
psychiatrist Physician with medical training in the diagnosis,
prevention and treatment of mental disorders.
psychologist Non-medical professional (PhD or EdD) specializing in
mental processes and how the brain functions in health
and disease
psychosis A disorder marked by loss of contact with reality; often
with delusions and hallucinations
reality testing Psychological process that distinguishes fact from
fantasy
repression Defense mechanism by which unacceptable thoughts,
feelings, and impulses are automatically pushed into
the unconscious, out of awareness
schizophrenia Chronic psychotic disorder that may include
hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, flat
affect, and lack of initiative
sexual disorders Paraphilia and sexual dysfunctions
somatoform disorder Presence of physical symptoms that cannot be
explained by an actual physical disorder or other well-
described mental disorder such as depression
substance-related Regular overuse of psychoactive substance that effect
disorder the central nervous system (alcohol and other drugs)
superego Internalized conscience and moral part of the
personality

XXXI. Psychiatric Therapy Terms

Term Meaning
Amphetamines Central nervous system stimulants that may be used to
treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and
depression
Atypical antipsychotics Drugs that treat psychotic symptoms and behavior
Benzodiazepines Drugs that lessen anxiety, tension, agitation and panic
attacks

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Cognitive behavioral Focuses on the connection between behavior and
therapy thoughts. Conditionings used to relieve anxiety and
improve symptoms of illness
Electroconvulsive Electric current is used to produce a change in brain
therapy wave patterns with resulting convulsions and loss of
consciousness; effective in the treatment of major
depression. Modern techniques use anesthesia, so the
convulsion is not observable
Family therapy Treatment of an entire family to resolve and shed light
on conflicts
Free association Psychoanalytic technique in which the patient
verbalizes, without censorship, the passing contents of
his or her mind
Group therapy Group of patients with similar problems gain insight
into their personalities through discussion and
interaction with each other
Hypnosis Trance (state of altered consciousness) is used to
increase the pace of psychotherapy
Insight-orientated Face-to-face discussion of life problems and associated
therapy feelings. The patient tells his or her story and has the
opportunity to connect emotional patterns in his or her
life history with present concerns; also called
psychodynamic therapy
Lithium Medication used to treat the manic stage of manic-
depressive illness
Neuroleptic drug Any drug that favorably modifies psychotic symptoms.
Examples are Phenothiazines such as Chlorpromazine
(Thorazine)
Phenothiazines Antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drugs
Play therapy Treatment in which a child, through use of toys in a
playroom setting, expresses conflicts or feelings they
are unable to communicate in a direct manner
Psychoanalysis Long-term and intense form of psychotherapy that seeks
to influence behavior and resolve internal conflicts by
allowing patients to bring their unconscious emotions to
the surface
Psychodrama Group therapy in which patient expresses feeling
through acting out family and social roles with other
patients
Psychopharmacology Treatment of psychiatric disorders with drugs
Sedatives Drugs that lessen anxiety
Supportive Offering encouragement, support, and hope to patients

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psychotherapy facing difficult transitions and events
Transference Psychoanalytic process in which the patient relates to
the therapist as though the therapist were a prominent
childhood figure
Tricyclic Drugs used to treat severe depression
antidepressants

XXXII. Combining Forms

Combining Form Meaning
Anxi/o Uneasy, anxious,
distressed
Aut/o Self
Hallucin/o Hallucination, to wander
in the mind
Hypn/o Sleep
Latr/o Treatment
Ment/o Mind
Neur/o Nerve
Phil/o Attraction to, love
Phren/o Mind
Psych/o Mind
Schiz/o Split
Somat/o Body

XXXIII. Prefixes
Prefix Meaning
a-, an- No, not
cata- Down
hypo- Deficient, less than,
below
para- Abnormal

XXXIV. Suffixes
Suffix Meaning
-genic Produced by
-leptic To seize hold of
-mania Obsessive preoccupation
-phobia Fear (irrational and often

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 disabling)
-phoria Feeling, bearing
-thymia Mind

XXXV. Abbreviations
Abbreviation Meaning
AD Alzheimer’s disease -- a form of dementia
ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADLs Activities of daily living
AIMS Abnormal involuntary movement scale -- used to
monitor signs of tardive dyskinesia
ASD Autism spectrum disorder
BZD Benzodiazepine
CA Chronological age
CBT Cognitive behavioral therapy
CNS Central nervous system
DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
4th edition, revised
DT Delirium tremens
ECT Electroconvulsive therapy
GAD Generalized anxiety disorder
IQ An IQ test is a standardized test to determine mental
age of an individual. The average person is considered
to have an IQ of between 90 and 110. Those who score
below 70 are considered mentally retarded.
LSD Lysergic acid diethylamide -- a hallucinogen
MA Mental age -- as determined by psychological tests
MAOI Monoamine oxidase inhibitor- examples: moclobemide
(Aurorix), phenelzine (Nordil), selegiline (Deprenyl), and
tranylcypromine (Parnate)
MDD Major depressive disorder
MMPI Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
MR Mental retardation
OCD Obsessive-compulsive disorder
PDD Pervasive developmental disorder -- includes autism and
Asperger syndrome
PTSD Post-traumatic stress disorder
Rx Therapy
SAD Seasonal affective disorder
SNRI Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor --
examples: duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor),

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 desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
SSRI Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor -- examples:
fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft)
TAT Thematic Apperception Test
TCA Tricyclic antidepressants
TD Tardive dyskinesia
THC Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol -- active ingredient in
marijuana
WAIS Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
WISC Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
Ψ Symbol for psych-
ΨRx Psychotherapy

Activity
I. Make flash cards of the psychology terms and practice putting the
terms together with prefixes and suffixes to make new terms.

II. Complete the Psychiatric Combining Forms Worksheet.

III. Complete the Psychiatric Vocabulary Worksheet.

IV. Review media terms with the students using review games such as
the “Fly Swatter Game” or the “Flash Card Drill” (see the Medical
Terminology Activity Lesson Plan –
http://texashste.com/documents/curriculum/principles/medical_termin
ology_activities.pdf.

V. Research and report on diseases and disorders related to

psychology.

Assessment
Successful completion of the activities

Materials
Computer and data projector
Disease report rubric
Index cards
Ink Blots
List of psychiatric terms worksheet and key
Markers

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Psychiatric combining forms, prefixes and abbreviation worksheet and key

Accommodations for Learning Differences

For reinforcement, the student will practice terms using flash cards related to
psychology.

For enrichment, the students will research various psychiatric disorders.

Share findings with the class using a multimedia presentation.

National and State Education Standards

National Healthcare Foundation Standards and Accountability Criteria:
Foundation Standard 2: Communications
2.21 Use roots, prefixes, and suffixes to communicate information
2.22 Use medical abbreviations to communicate information
TEKS
130.203 (c) (1) The student recognizes the terminology related to the health
science industry. The student is expected to:
(A) identify abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols;
(B) identify the basic structure of medical words;
(E) recall directional terms and anatomical planes related to the
body structure
(F) define and accurately spell occupationally specific terms such
as those relating to the body systems, surgical and diagnostic
procedures, diseases, and treatments.
130.203 (c) (2) (B) employ increasingly precise language to communicate
130.203 (c) (4) The student interprets medical abbreviations. The student is
expected to:
(A) distinguish medical abbreviations used throughout the health
science industry; and
(B) translate medical abbreviations in simulated technical material
such as physician progress notes, radiological reports, and
laboratory reports.
130.203(c)(5)(B) translate medical terms to conversational language to
facilitate communication;
(C) distinguish medical terminology associated with medical
specialists such as geneticist, pathologists, and oncologist
(D) summarize observations using medical terminology; and
(E) correctly interpret contents of medical scenarios.
Texas College and Career Readiness Standards
English and Language Arts

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Understand new vocabulary and concepts and use them accurately in
reading, speaking, and writing.
1. Identify new words and concepts acquired through study of their
relationships to other words and concepts.
2. Apply knowledge of roots and affixes to infer the meanings of new words.
3. Use reference guides to confirm the meanings of new words or concepts.
Cross-Disciplinary Standards
I. Key Cognitive Skills D. Academic Behavior: 1. Self-monitor learning needs
and seek assistance when needed, 3. Strive for accuracy and precision, 4.
Persevere to complete and master task. E. Work habits: 1. Work
independently, 2. Work collaboratively
II. Foundation Skills A. 2. Use a variety of strategies to understand the
meaning of new words. 4. Identify the key information and supporting
details.

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 Psychiatric Terms-Worksheet
Term Meaning
affect

amnesia

anorexia nervosa

anxiety disorders

apathy

autism

bipolar disorder

bulimia nervosa

cannabis

compulsion

conversion disorder

defense mechanism

delirium

delusion

dementia

depression

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dissociative disorder

ego

fugue

gender identity disorder

hallucination

id

labile

mania

mood disorders

mutism

obsessive-compulsive

paranoia

paraphilia

personality disorders

pervasive developmental
disorders
phobia

post-traumatic stress
disorder

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projective (personality) test

psychiatrist

psychologist

psychosis

reality testing

repression

schizophrenia

sexual disorders

somatoform disorder

substance-related disorder

superego

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 Psychiatry Therapy Terms

Term Meaning
Amphetamines

Atypical antipsychotics

Benzodiazepines

Cognitive behavioral
therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy

Family therapy

Free association

Group therapy

Hypnosis

Insight-orientated therapy

Lithium

Neuroleptic drug

Phenothiazines

Play therapy

Psychoanalysis

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Psychodrama

Psychopharmacology

Sedatives

Supportive psychotherapy

Transference

Tricyclic antidepressants

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 Psychiatric Terms
Term Meaning
affect External expression of emotion response
amnesia Loss of memory
anorexia nervosa Eating disorder with excessive dieting and refusal to maintain
a normal body weight
anxiety disorders Characterized by unpleasant tension, distress, and avoidance
behavior; examples are panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-
compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and
generalized anxiety disorder
apathy Absence of emotions; lack of interest of emotional
involvement
autism Pervasive development disorder characterized by inhibited
social interaction and communication, and by restricted,
repetitive behavior
bipolar disorder Mood disorder with alternating periods of mania and
depression
bulimia nervosa Eating disorder with binge followed by vomiting, purging and
depression
cannabis Substances (cannabis plant) from which marijuana is made

compulsion Uncontrollable urge to perform an act repeatedly

conversion disorder Condition marked by physical symptoms with no organic basis
appearing as a result of anxiety and unconscious inner conflict
defense mechanism Unconscious technique (coping mechanism) a person uses to
resolve or conceal conflicts and anxiety. It protects the
individual against anxiety and stress; examples are acting out,
denial and repression
delirium Confused thinking, disorientation, changes in alertness,
difficulty paying attention, and fearfulness. This usually a
reversible impairment in thinking. Delirium tremens is
associated with alcohol withdrawal
delusion Fixed, false belief that cannot be changed by logical reasoning
or evidence
dementia Loss of intellectual abilities with impairment of memory,
judgment and reasoning as well as changes in personality

depression Major mood disorder with chronic sadness, loss of energy,

hopelessness worry, and discouragement and, commonly,
suicidal impulses and thoughts

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dissociative disorder Chronic or sudden disturbance in memory, identity, or
consciousness; examples are multiple personality disorder,
psychogenic disorders, amnesia, and fugue
ego Central coordinating branch of the personality or mind
fugue Flight from customary surroundings; dissociative disorder
gender identity disorder Strong and persistent cross-gender identification with the
opposite sex
hallucination False sensory perception; energy form instinctual drives and
desires
id Major unconscious part of the personality (energy from
instinctual drives and desires
labile Unstable; undergoing rapid emotional change
mania Extreme excitement, hyperactive elation, and agitation
mood disorders Prolonged emotion dominates a person’s life
mutism Nonreactive state with inability to speak (aphonia)
obsessive-compulsive Anxiety disorder in which recurrent thoughts and repetitive
acts dominate behavior
paranoia Overly suspicious system of thinking; fixed delusions that one
is being harassed, persecuted, or unfairly treated
paraphilia Recurrent intense sexual urge, fantasy, or behavior that
involves unusual objects, activities, or situations
personality disorders Lifelong personality patterns marked by inflexibility and
impairment of social functioning
pervasive developmental Group of childhood disorders characterized by delays in
disorders socialization and communication skills (examples: autism,
Asperger syndrome
phobia Irrational or disabling fear of an object or situation
post-traumatic stress Anxiety-related symptoms appear after personal experience
disorder of a traumatic event
projective (personality) test Diagnostic personality test using unstructured stimuli to
evoke responses that reflect aspects of an individual’s
personality
psychiatrist Physician with medical training in the diagnosis, prevention
and treatment of mental disorders
psychologist Non-medical professional (PhD or EdD) specializing in mental
processes and how the brain functions in health and disease
psychosis A disorder marked by loss of contact with reality; often with
delusions and hallucinations
reality testing Psychological process that distinguishes fact from fantasy

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repression Defense mechanism by which unacceptable thoughts,
feelings, and impulses are automatically pushed into the
unconscious, out of awareness
schizophrenia Chronic psychotic disorder that may include hallucinations,
disorganized speech and behavior, flat affect, and lack of
initiative
sexual disorders Paraphilias and sexual dysfunctions
somatoform disorder Presence of physical symptoms that cannot be explained by
an actual physical disorder or other well-described mental
disorder such as depression
substance-related disorder Regular overuse of psychoactive substance that effect the
central nervous system (alcohol and other drugs)
superego Internalized conscience and moral part of the personality

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 Psychiatry Therapy Terms
Term Meaning
Amphetamines Central nervous system stimulants that may be used to treat
attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and depression
Atypical antipsychotics Drugs that treat psychotic symptoms and behavior
Benzodiazepines Drugs that lessen anxiety, tension, agitation and panic attacks
Cognitive behavioral therapy Focuses on the connection between behavior and thoughts;
conditioning used to relieve anxiety and improve symptoms of
illness
Electroconvulsive therapy Electric current is used to produce a change in brain wave
patterns with resulting convulsions and loss of consciousness;
effective in the treatment of major depression. Modern
techniques use anesthesia, so the convulsion is not
observable
Family therapy Treatment of an entire family to resolve and shed light on
conflicts
Free association Psychoanalytic technique in which the patient verbalizes,
without censorship, the passing contents of his or her mind
Group therapy Group of patients with similar problems gain insight into their
personalities through discussion and interaction with each
other
Hypnosis Trance (state of altered consciousness) is used to increase the
pace of psychotherapy
Insight-orientated therapy Face-to-face discussion of life problems and associated
feelings. The patient tells his or her story and has the
opportunity to connect emotional patterns in his or her life
history with present concerns; also called psychodynamic
therapy
Lithium Medication used to treat the manic stage of manic-depressive
illness
Neuroleptic drug Any drug that favorably modifies psychotic symptoms.
Examples are Phenothiazines such as Chlorpromazine
(Thorazine)
Phenothiazines Antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drugs
Play therapy Treatment in which a child, through use of toys in a playroom
setting, expresses conflicts or feelings they are unable to
communicate in a direct manner
Psychoanalysis
psychodrama Group therapy in which patient expresses feeling through
acting out family and social roles with other patients
Psychopharmacology Treatment of psychiatric disorders with drugs
Sedatives Drugs that lessen anxiety

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Supportive psychotherapy Offering encouragement, support, and hope to patients facing
difficult transitions and events
Transference Psychoanalytic process in which the patient relates to the
therapist as though the therapist were a prominent childhood
figure
Tricyclic antidepressants Drugs used to treat severe depression

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 Combining Forms
Combining Meaning
Form
Anxi/o
Aut/o
Hallucin/o
Hypn/o
Iatr/o
Ment/o
Neur/o
Phil/o
Phren/o
Psych/o
Schiz/o
Somat/o

Suffixes
Suffix Meaning
-genic
-leptic
-mania
-phobia
-phoria
-thymia

Prefixes
Prefix Meaning
a-, an-
cata-
hypo-
para-

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 Abbreviations
Abbreviation Meaning
AD
ADHD
ADLs
AIMS
ASD
BZD
CA
CBT
CNS
DSM-IV-TR
DT
ECT
GAD
IQ
LSD
MA
MAOI
MDD
MMPI
MR
OCD
PDD
PTSD
Rx
SAD
SNRI
SSRI
TAT
TCA
TD
THC
WAIS
WISC
Ψ
ΨRx

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 Combining Forms
Combining Form Meaning
Anxi/o Uneasy, anxious, distressed
Aut/o Self
Hallucin/o Hallucination, to wander in the mind
Hypn/o Sleep
Iatr/o Treatment
Ment/o Mind
Neur/o Nerve
Phil/o Attraction to, love
Phren/o Mind
Psych/o Mind
Schiz/o Split
Somat/o Body

Suffixes
Suffix Meaning
-genic Produced by
-leptic To seize hold of
-mania Obsessive preoccupation
-phobia Fear (irrational and often disabling)
-phoria Feeling, bearing
-thymia Mind

Prefixes
Prefix Meaning
a-, an- No, not
cata- Down
hypo- Deficient, less than, below
para- Abnormal

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 Abbreviations
Abbreviation Meaning
AD Alzheimer disease -- a form of dementia
ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADLs Activities of daily living
AIMS Abnormal involuntary movement scale -- used to monitor signs of tardive
dyskinesia
ASD Autism spectrum disorder
BZD Benzodiazepine
CA Chronological age
CBT Cognitive behavioral therapy
CNS Central nervous system
DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, revised
DT Delirium tremens
ECT Electroconvulsive therapy
GAD Generalized anxiety disorder
IQ An IQ test is a standardized test to determine mental age of an individual.
The average person is considered to have an IQ of between 90 and 110.
Those who score below 70 are considered mentally retarded.
LSD Lysergic acid diethylamide -- a hallucinogen
MA Mental age -- as determined by psychological tests
MAOI Monoamine oxidase inhibitor -- examples: moclobemide (Aurorix),
phenelzine (Nordil), selegiline (Deprenyl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
MDD Major depressive disorder
MMPI Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
MR Mental retardation
OCD Obsessive-compulsive disorder
PDD Pervasive developmental disorder -- includes autism and Asperger syndrome
PTSD Post-traumatic stress disorder
Rx Therapy
SAD Seasonal affective disorder
SNRI Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor -- examples: duloxetine
(Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
SSRI Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor -- examples: fluoxetine (Prozac),
paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft)
TAT Thematic Apperception Test
TCA Tricyclic antidepressants
TD Tardive dyskinesia
THC Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol -- active ingredient in marijuana
WAIS Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

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WISC Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
Ψ Symbol for psych-
ΨRx Psychotherapy

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Ink Blot Images

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Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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