Psychiatry & Psychology

Behaviorism is a theory of psychology that emphasizes observable behaviors over internal mental states. It posits that behavior is learned through environmental stimulus–response associations, reinforcement, and conditioning, with little regard for thoughts or feelings. The term encompasses schools of thought that focus on measurable, objective data to explain human and animal behavior.

Catalepsy is a neuropsychological condition marked by a trance-like state and muscular rigidity or immobility, often alternating with periods of extreme agitation. It reflects a disruption in motor control and responsiveness, typically linked to underlying psychiatric or neurological disorders. In clinical use, it describes observed, sometimes sudden, loss of voluntary muscle movement and diminished reactivity to stimuli.

Cataleptic is an adjective describing a trance-like state of immobility or a condition resembling clinical catatonia. It can also denote a dramatic, almost theatrical, paralysis or suspended animation. The term carries clinical and literary weight, often used to convey extreme rigidity of body or mind and a suspended, dreamlike awareness in certain contexts.

Catatonia is a state marked by motor immobility or excessive, purposeless activity and a diminished responsiveness to the environment, often accompanying certain psychiatric or neurological conditions. It can involve stupor, rigidity, mutism, or repetitive movements, and may wax and wane over time. In clinical contexts, it’s a formal syndrome requiring assessment and treatment.

Catatonic describes a state of immobility and unresponsiveness, often linked to certain mental or neurological conditions. It implies significant motor and/or cognitive dullness, sometimes alternating with agitation or rigidity. The term is used in clinical contexts as well as figuratively to describe extreme disengagement or stupefaction.

Cerebration refers to the act or process of thinking or using the brain to form ideas, reason, or reflect. It denotes mental activity, especially deliberate or extended thought, rather than quick, instinctive responses. The term is formal or academic in tone and often used in discussions of cognition or philosophy.

Clang is a sharp, resonant metallic sound produced when metal objects strike together or when something rings loudly after contact. It conveys a sudden, bright noise that is often abrupt and forceful, sometimes echoing in a space. The word can also describe the sound itself as a verb or noun in contexts of impact or alarm, emphasizing solidity and brightness.

Claustrophobia is an intense fear of confined spaces that can trigger panic and physical symptoms. It stems from a perceived lack of escape or control, often leading to avoidance of places such as elevators or crowded rooms. The term denotes a specific phobia, treatment often includes exposure-based therapy and coping strategies.

Compulsive describes a behavior driven by an irresistible urge, often linked to patterns of obsession or ritual. It implies a compulsion that overrides ordinary choice, potentially at the expense of reason or consequences. The term is common in psychology and everyday speech when discussing difficult-to-resist habits or actions.

Countertransference is a psychoanalytic term for the therapist’s unconscious reactions to a patient, shaped by the therapist’s own background and emotions. It can influence interpretations, boundaries, and treatment. Understanding it helps clinicians manage bias and maintain therapeutic neutrality while acknowledging personal impact.

Delirious describes a state of wild excitement or mental confusion often marked by incoherence or extreme enthusiasm. It can refer to feverish, irrational behavior or speech, typically resulting from illness, intoxication, or intense emotion. In everyday use, it conveys a sense of unsteady perception rather than a calm, rational mindset.

Delirium is a rapid, often fluctuating mental state characterized by confusion, disorientation, and impaired awareness or perception. It typically presents over a short period and can be caused by medical illness, intoxication, or withdrawal. The term refers to a transient, severe alteration of cognition rather than a stable psychiatric condition.

Delusion refers to a strongly held belief that is not grounded in reality, typically arising from mental illness or extreme misperception. It denotes a false conviction that persists despite evidence to the contrary, often accompanied by a rigid, unshakeable certainty. In psychology and everyday discourse, it can describe any erroneous belief or illusion that shapes behavior. (2-4 sentences, 50-80 words)

Delusional describes holding or displaying false beliefs that are strongly resistant to reason or contradictory evidence, often as part of a psychiatric condition or extreme unfounded conviction. It conveys a notion of misperception about reality, typically with a fixed conviction despite contrary evidence. The term is commonly used in clinical, psychological, and everyday contexts to denote unfounded certainty.

Depersonalization refers to a persistent or recurrent experience of detachment from one’s thoughts, feelings, or sense of self, often described as an outside observer of one’s own mental processes. It can be transient or chronic, sometimes accompanied by derealization, where the external world seems unreal. It is a clinical phenomenon that can occur in various psychiatric or stress-related contexts.

Depressive describes a state or mood characterized by persistent sadness, gloom, or a tendency toward depression; it can refer to symptoms, attitudes, or artistic works with a somber or melancholic tone. In medical contexts it relates to depressive disorders when clinical criteria are met, while in everyday speech it conveys mood or atmosphere. The term often appears in discussions of mental health, literature, and music to denote heaviness or discouragement.

Derealization is a symptom or perceptual state in which surroundings feel unreal or distorted, as if the external world lacks reality. It can occur in anxiety, dissociative experiences, or certain psychiatric conditions, and may be transient or persistent. The term denotes a qualitative alteration of perception rather than a deficit in sensory input.

Disorder refers to a state of confusion or lack of order, or to a medical condition that disrupts normal bodily or mental function. It can describe something in disarray or a diagnosed health issue that impairs function, development, or behavior. The term spans everyday mishaps to formal clinical diagnoses, with nuance depending on context and field of use.

Dissociation refers to a separation or disconnection of components that are normally connected, such as mental processes, elements of a substance, or social identities. In psychology, it denotes a disruption in the integration of consciousness, memory, or perception. In chemistry or physics, it describes a process where a complex entity splits into simpler parts.

Dissociative is an adjective relating to or causing dissociation, a mental process where thoughts, memories, or identities become separated from conscious awareness. In psychology, it often describes disorders or states characterized by detachments or interruptions in normal integrated functioning. The term combines the prefix dis- (apart) with the root associ- (connected) and the suffix -ive (forming an adjective).

Dysphoric describes a state of unease, dissatisfaction, or generalized sadness, often with a sense of foreboding or discomfort rather than elation. In psychology and everyday usage it characterizes mood where things feel off or wrong, not just mildly unhappy. The term is mostly found in clinical or scholarly contexts but can appear in discussions of mood disorders.

Hallucinatory describes something relating to or characterized by hallucinations or remarkable, illusory perceptual experiences. It often conveys a sense of unreal or deceptive perception, especially in a mental or sensory context, and can imply a distorted or fantastical quality in description or imagination. The term is commonly used in psychology, literature, and critical analysis to denote phenomenological content that is not grounded in external reality.

Hippocampal describes anything relating to the hippocampus, a curved brain structure involved in memory formation and spatial navigation. The term is commonly used in neuroanatomy, neuroscience, and clinical contexts. It functions as an adjective to denote connections with or the location of the hippocampus, and appears in research, imaging, and discussion of neurological conditions.

Histrionic describes theatrical, exaggerated dramatic behavior or style, often seeking attention. In psychology, it denotes a personality trait marked by emotional overreaction and attention-seeking. The term conveys flair and performative emotion, frequently implying melodrama or excessive display, rather than substantiated restraint or realism.