Glossary
Acute Schizophrenia
A form of schizophrenia that develops rapidly, often in response to stress, and is typically characterized by the presence of positive symptoms.
Example:
After a traumatic event, a young adult might suddenly develop Acute Schizophrenia, experiencing vivid hallucinations and paranoid delusions.
Alogia
A negative symptom of schizophrenia characterized by a reduction in the quantity of speech or a lack of spontaneous speech.
Example:
When asked a question, a person experiencing Alogia might respond with very brief, empty answers, or not speak at all.
Alzheimer's Disease
The most common type of neurocognitive disorder, characterized by progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes, caused by brain degeneration.
Example:
An elderly person who gradually loses the ability to recognize family members and struggles with daily tasks may be experiencing the effects of Alzheimer's Disease.
Amygdala and Thalamus
Brain structures that show increased activity in some individuals with schizophrenia; the amygdala is involved in emotion, and the thalamus processes sensory information.
Example:
Heightened emotional responses or distorted sensory perceptions in schizophrenia might be linked to increased activity in the Amygdala and Thalamus.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A neurodevelopmental disorder marked by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.
Example:
A student who frequently fidgets, blurts out answers, and struggles to complete assignments on time might be exhibiting symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.
Example:
Someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder might find it challenging to understand sarcasm or prefer to line up their toys in a very specific order.
Avolition
A negative symptom of schizophrenia characterized by a lack of motivation or initiative to engage in goal-directed activities.
Example:
Someone with Avolition might struggle to start or complete daily tasks like getting dressed or going to work, even if they know they should.
Catatonia
A negative symptom of schizophrenia involving unusual motor behaviors, ranging from immobility (e.g., waxy flexibility) to excessive, purposeless motor activity.
Example:
A person exhibiting Catatonia might remain motionless in an unusual posture for hours or engage in repetitive, seemingly meaningless movements.
Chronic Schizophrenia
A form of schizophrenia that develops slowly over time, often characterized by a predominance of negative symptoms and a poorer prognosis.
Example:
An individual who has gradually become more withdrawn and less motivated over several years might be experiencing Chronic Schizophrenia.
Conceptual skills
One of the three domains of adaptive functioning, involving language, reading, writing, math reasoning, knowledge, and memory.
Example:
Learning to count money or understanding abstract ideas like justice falls under Conceptual skills.
Delusions
False beliefs that are firmly held despite clear evidence to the contrary and are not typical of a person's culture.
Example:
A person experiencing Delusions might believe they are a famous historical figure or that their thoughts are being controlled by aliens.
Dopamine Imbalance
A theory suggesting that schizophrenia is linked to an excess of dopamine activity or an oversensitivity to dopamine in certain brain areas.
Example:
Medications for schizophrenia often work by blocking dopamine receptors, aiming to correct the hypothesized Dopamine Imbalance.
Enlarged Ventricles
A brain abnormality often observed in individuals with schizophrenia, referring to the larger-than-average fluid-filled spaces within the brain, suggesting a loss of brain tissue.
Example:
An MRI scan of a person with schizophrenia might reveal Enlarged Ventricles, indicating structural differences in their brain.
Flat affect
A negative symptom of schizophrenia characterized by a severe reduction in emotional expressiveness, appearing unresponsive or emotionless.
Example:
Even when receiving good news, someone with Flat affect might show no change in facial expression or tone of voice.
Frontal Lobe Activity
Refers to the level of neural activity in the frontal lobes of the brain, which are associated with executive functions like planning and decision-making; often reduced in schizophrenia.
Example:
Studies using brain imaging might show lower Frontal Lobe Activity in individuals with schizophrenia when they are trying to solve complex problems.
Hallucinations
False sensory experiences, such as seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling things that are not actually present.
Example:
Hearing voices when no one is speaking or seeing objects that aren't there are examples of Hallucinations.
Hyperactivity
A symptom of ADHD involving excessive motor activity, such as fidgeting, tapping, or restlessness, even when inappropriate.
Example:
A child who constantly runs around the classroom or can't sit still during story time might be displaying Hyperactivity.
Impulsivity
A symptom of ADHD characterized by hasty actions that occur in the moment without forethought and that have a high potential for harm.
Example:
Someone who frequently interrupts conversations or makes quick decisions without considering the consequences is demonstrating Impulsivity.
Inattention
A symptom of ADHD characterized by difficulty sustaining focus, being easily distracted, and problems with organization.
Example:
During a lecture, a student with Inattention might find their mind wandering to what they'll eat for lunch instead of listening to the professor.
Intellectual Disability
A disorder with onset during the developmental period that includes both intellectual and adaptive functioning deficits in conceptual, social, and practical domains.
Example:
An individual with Intellectual Disability might need support with managing their finances or understanding complex social situations.
Negative symptoms
Symptoms of schizophrenia that involve the absence or reduction of normal behaviors, emotions, or motivations.
Example:
A lack of emotional expression or a significant decrease in speech are considered Negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Neurocognitive Disorder
A disorder characterized by a decline in cognitive functioning due to a physical or biological factor affecting the brain, rather than a psychological cause.
Example:
A person experiencing memory loss and confusion after a severe head injury might be diagnosed with a Neurocognitive Disorder.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
A group of conditions that begin in early development, typically before a child enters grade school, and are characterized by developmental deficits that produce impairments of personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning.
Example:
A child struggling with language development from a young age might be experiencing a Neurodevelopmental Disorder.
Positive symptoms
Symptoms of schizophrenia that are 'added' to a person's experience, representing an excess or distortion of normal functions.
Example:
Experiencing vivid hallucinations or holding bizarre delusions are considered Positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
Practical skills
One of the three domains of adaptive functioning, involving self-management, job responsibilities, recreation, and organizing school and work tasks.
Example:
Being able to cook a meal, use public transportation, or manage personal hygiene are all Practical skills.
Psychotic
A term describing a state of mind that involves a loss of contact with reality, often characterized by delusions or hallucinations.
Example:
During a severe mental health crisis, an individual might become Psychotic, believing that secret agents are following them.
Psychotic episode
A period during which an individual experiences a significant loss of contact with reality, often involving delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized thinking.
Example:
During a Psychotic episode, a person might become convinced that their television is sending them secret messages.
Schizophrenia
A severe and chronic mental disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, emotion, and behavior, leading to a significant loss of contact with reality.
Example:
Someone diagnosed with Schizophrenia might hear voices that aren't there or hold strong, unfounded beliefs about being persecuted.
Social skills
One of the three domains of adaptive functioning, involving empathy, social judgment, interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to make and retain friendships.
Example:
Knowing how to greet someone appropriately or understanding non-verbal cues are examples of Social skills.