Copy of `Wellness Shop - Health glossary`

The wordlist doesn't exist anymore, or, the website doesn't exist anymore. On this page you can find a copy of the original information. The information may have been taken offline because it is outdated.

Wellness Shop - Health glossary Category: Health and Medicine > Wellness Date & country: 17/11/2007, UK Words: 250

Abuse
Excessive use of a drug (such as alcohol, narcotics etc). Taking of a drug without medical justification.

Acid
LSD (slang).

Acute psychotic episode
Psychotic episode with a rapid onset and typified by lack of symptoms that indicate that a psychotic episode might be imminent.

Acute psychotic patients
Patients out of touch with reality or suffering from severe hallucinations or delusions or an acute psychotic episode.

Addiction
State of physical and/or psychological dependence on a substance

Additional behaviours
Caused by positive symptoms or symptoms that are a direct result of schizophrenia. Include: hallucinations, delusions, disorganised thinking, agitation….

ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Adrenaline
One of two chemicals (the other is noradrenaline/norepinephrine) released by the adrenal gland that increases the speed and force of heart beats. It dilates the airways to improve breathing and narrows blood vessels in the skin and intestine. An increased flow of blood then reaches the muscles and allows them to cope with the demands of exercise, stress and in some cases fear.

Affective symptoms
Negative or mood symptoms of schizophrenia.

Agoraphobia
Abnormal fear of being helpless in a situation from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing that is characterised initially often by panic or anticipatory anxiety and finally by avoidance of open or public places.

Agranulocytosis
An acute disease marked by high fever and a sharp drop in circulating granular white blood cells. It may be drug-induced or the result of exposure to radiation. This is one of the side effects seen in the use of the drug clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic.

Alcohol abuse
Misuse or excessive use of alcohol that may lead to addiction.

Alcoholic
Someone who is addicted to alcohol.

Alcoholism
The addiction to alcohol.

Alprazolam
A benzodiazepan (tranquiliser) any of several similar lipophilic amines used as tranquilizers or sedatives or hypnotics or muscle relaxants; chronic use can lead to dependency. Medication or therapeutic agent used in high strength forms such as clonazepam and lorazepam to treat a number of symptoms in bipolar disorder or epilepsy, especially anxiety, tension and sleep problems.

Alzheimer`s disease
Progressive, degenerative disease that occurs in the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behaviour. Alzheimer`s disease is the most common form of dementia. Although it tends to occur in elderly people, Alzheimer`s disease may present earlier e.g. during middle age.

Amino acid
Any of various organic acids containing both an amino group and a carboxyl group, especially any of the 20 or more compounds that link together to form proteins.

Amphetamine sulphate
Type of amphetamine

Amphetamines
Originally developed to treat conditions such as asthma, sleep disorders and hyperactivity. Stimulants of the central nervous system. Some of their affects are similar to cocaine. They are addictive drugs.

Amyl nitrates
Formerly used to treat angina; today this is only done in emergency cases.

Anaemia
Deficiency of red blood cells. This affects the blood`s oxygen-carrying ability, causing tiredness and other symptoms. Sometimes described as iron deficiency.

Anaesthetic
Agent used to numb part of the body (local anaesthetic) or put a person to sleep (general anaesthetic) for surgery or medical intervention.

Analgesics
A medication capable of reducing or eliminating pain.

Angel dust
See Phencyclidine.

Angina
Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries, and occurs when the heart muscle is not getting enough blood.

Anti-epileptic drugs
Medication to treat epilepsy. Some anti-epileptics are also used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Anticonvulsants
Medicines developed to treat convulsions or seizures. Mood stabilizing anticonvulsants are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Antidepressants
A drug used to prevent or treat clinical depression.

Antihistamines
Drug that blocks histamine and is typically used to treat allergic reactions. Histamine is a physiologically active depressor amine found in plant and animal tissue, derived from histidine by decarboxylation and released from cells in the immune system as part of an allergic reaction. It is a powerful stimulant of gastric secretion, constrictor of bronchial smooth muscle, and vasodilator.

Antipsychotic, antipsychotic drug
A class of drugs mainly used to treat schizophrenic, paranoid, schizoaffective and other psychotic disorders, acute delirium and dementia and manic episodes.

Antipyretic
Any medicine that lowers body temperature to prevent or alleviate fever.

Anxiolytics
A tranquilizer used to relieve anxiety and reduce tension and irritability.

Arrhythmia
Irregular heart beat. Arrhythmia can be a side effect of some medications, but is also a naturally occuring medical condition.

Asperger syndrome
Mild form of autism, alternatively described as High Functioning Autism. Individuals with Asperger syndrome tend to have normal intelligence and language skills, but may have deficiencies in communication and social skills.

Aspirin
Often used as an analgesic (against minor pains and aches), antipyretic (against fever), and anti-inflammatory. It has also an anticoagulant (blood thinning) effect and is used in long-term low-doses to prevent heart attacks.

Atypical antipsychotic
Newer type of medication or agent used to treat mental disorders and psychosis such as: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder etc. Also called atypical neuroleptic. The older type of antipsychotics is called typical antipsychotics or classic neuroleptics.

Autism
Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder that emerges in early childhood. It affects the way a person communicates and limits his/her ability to relate to others in a meaningful way, develop friendships, show signs of affection, appreciate cuddles or understand other people`s feelings. Because the severity and variation of symptoms, the disorder is often referred to as Autistic Spectrum Disorder or ASD

Autistic spectrum
Autism occurs along a continuum, which ranges from mildly affected, very high functioning and verbal (e.g. Asperger syndrome) to severely affected, low functioning and nonverbal autism.

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)
See autism.

Barbiturates
Drugs that act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants. They produce a wide spectrum of effects from mild sedation to anaesthesia. Some barbiturates are used to treat convulsions.

Behavioural symptoms
Symptoms that affect the behaviour of the individual with a mental disorder. Behavioural symptoms play a significant role in most mental disorders and often require specific treatment programmes.

Benzodiazepines
Type of medication or therapeutic agent used in high strength forms such as clonazepam and lorazepam to treat a number of symptoms in bipolar disorder, especially sleep problems.

Beta-blockers
Used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension (qv)). Some beta-blockers are also used to relieve angina and to prevent further heart attacks in people who have experienced a heart attack. They are sometimes used to treat a number of other conditions.

Bipolar disorder
Also known as manic depression (qv). Symptoms are abnormal and extreme moods. Mood swings will vary from severe depression to a state of euphoria or mania (qv).

Bipolar disorder I
Bipolar disorder with manic or mixed episodes being followed by periods of severe depression. Episodes can last up to weeks or months.

Bipolar disorder II
Bipolar disorder with symptoms of repeated depressive episodes followed by occasional episodes of hypomania or a mild mania.

Blow
Cannabis (slang).

Blues
Amphetamines (slang).

Blunted emotional expression
Lack of emotional response or expression and sense of apathy with lack in interest in social contact. Often typified by poor eye contact, can also include speech deficit.

Blunting
Severe reduction of emotional expression observed in people with psychosis. Especially seen in schizophrenia patients.

Brain haemorrhage
Bleeding in or around the brain as a result of one or more broken blood vessels in the brain. It can result in damage to the nerves in the brain and in severe cases in death.

Buspirone
A mild anti-anxiety tranquilizer that is used in the form of its hydrochloride and does not induce significant tolerance or psychological dependence.

Butyl nitrates
See Amyl Nitrate

Cake
Conventional baked synthesis of natural products producing mild euphoric symptoms in susceptible users.

Cannabis
Product of the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa). Available in the form of resin, i.e. hashish or dried leaves, i.e. marihuana.

Charlie
Cocaine (slang).

Chlorpromazine
Medication used in schizophrenia treatment. An older type of medication, also classified as a typical antipsychotic or conventional neuroleptic.

Chronic schizophrenia
Continuous or reoccurring pattern of schizophrenia. Seen in many schizophrenia patients. Requiring long-term treatment and medication. People with chronic schizophrenia do not tend to recover.

Clinical depression
Medical condition or mental disorder with a prolonged state of depression and more severe sadness and symptoms than seen in normal individuals. Clinical depression is a state of sadness, melancholia or despair that has advanced to the point of being disruptive to an individual's social functioning and/or activities of daily living. Although a low mood or state of dejection that does not affect functioning is often referred to as depression, clinical depression is a medical diagnosis and is different from the everyday meaning of 'being depressed'.

Clomipramine
Belongs to tri-cyclic antidepressant class of medicines. Used in the treatment of depression.

Clonazepam
See Alprazolam

Clozapine
An antipsychotic drug with serious side effects (as seizures and agranulocytosis) that is used in the management of schizophrenia. A newer type of medication, also classified as an atypical antipsychotic or unconventional neuroleptic.

Cocaine
Powerful stimulant, derived from the coca tree in South America. Initially used as an anaesthetic for minor surgery, but no longer used in medical applications. This drug has a severe addictive effect and is often classed as a ‘hard drug`. Cocaine is generally sold on the street as cocaine hydrochloride a fine, white crystalline powder, soluble in water.

Codeine
Analgesic medication, obtained from opium or prepared from morphine.

Cognitive restructuring
Technique used in CBT to help people recognize and change distorted thinking and attitudes, and deal with stress and symptoms.

Cognitive-behavioural approaches
Approach to therapy that involves recognising distorted thinking and learning to replace it with less extreme and more manageable ideas.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
Type of psychotherapy used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, and other forms of psychological disorder. Involves recognising distorted thinking and learning to replace it with less extreme and more manageable ideas.

Coke
Cocaine. (slang)

Coma, comatose
An unconscious sleep-like state.

Combination therapy
Treatment that combines psychosocial and medical therapy to treat mental illness.

Compulsions
Repeated rituals or actions that can`t be controlled. These play a significant part in OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Computer-assisted tomography CAT
Non invasive method of using digital processing to generate a three-dimensional image of the internals of an object or body, from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation. Also known as CAT-scan.

Conventional antipsychotics
Earlier form of antipsychotic medication, also known as typical antipsychotics.

Conventional neuroleptic
Earlier form of neuroleptic medication, also known as typical neuroleptics.

Conventional neuroleptics
Older type of medication or agent used to treat mental disorders and psychosis such as: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder etc. Also called typical antipsychotic or classic neuroleptics.

Convulsions
Also known as seizures, fits or attacks. May be a side effect of medications or drugs.

Crack cocaine
Known to users as crack, rock, wash or stone. Cocaine hydrochloride reverted to its base state also known as freebase. Pure cocaine in crystalline form, can not be (dis)solved in water.

Cyclothymic disorder
This is a chronic fluctuating mood disturbance, which involves periods of hypomania and periods of depression. It is a milder form of bipolar disorder with less severe symptoms and shorter episodes.

Delusions
Irrational beliefs or convictions that a person with psychosis (often schizophrenia) holds on to, despite all evidence to the contrary. They are one of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.

Depressant
Medication to lower the rate of vital physiological activities and also used to treat sleep problems.

Dextro-amphetamine sulphate
Newer type of stimulant medication used to treat ADHD.

Diagnostic criteria
Term used by professionals to refer to the symptoms and characteristics required for identifying and diagnosing an illness or disorder.

Diazepam
Medication used to treat depression. Known as Valium. This medication can become addictive if used for a period of time.

Disorganised thinking
Lack of ability to think straight or focus ones attention. Thought disorder. One of the symptoms often observed in people with psychosis .

Disruptions
Side effects of psychotic medications that can cause disruptions to people`s live. These can include: extra-pyramidal symptoms (EPS), weight gain, sedation and sexual problems, and tend to be more severe in typical or older antipsychotic medication, than in atypical medication.

Disulfiram
Drug often given to alcoholics to act as a deterrent. It produces adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, flushing, and tachycardia if alcohol is consumed.

Dope
Cannabis (slang).

Double depression
Condition where people with Dysthymia or mild to moderate form of long-term depression start developing episodes of more severe or major depression. These episodes will alternate with the episodes of Dysthymia. Hence the use of the word double.

Droperidol
An antidopaminergic drug used as a post-operative anti-emetic and also as an antipsychotic used in schizophrenia treatment. An older type of medication, also classified as a typical antipsychotic or conventional neuroleptic.

Dysthymia
Alternative name for dysthymic disorder. A bipolar disorder or chronic mild depression that usually begins in early childhood. Symptoms typically keep a person from functioning or feeling well. A severe case can also lead to major depression.

Early treatment
When patients receive early treatment i.e. when the symptoms of a mental disorder are still relatively mild, the outcome for the patient will be significantly better than when not receiving early treatment.

Ecstasy
See MMDA. A man-made drug with both hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Sometimes referred to as electro shock treatment. These days this form of therapy is only used in people with severe mental disorders who do not respond to medication.

Epilepsy
Epilepsy (sometimes referred to as a seizure disorder) is a common chronic neurological condition that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked epileptic seizures. Seizures (or convulsions) are temporary abnormal electro-physiologic phenomena of the brain, resulting in abnormal synchronization of electrical neuronal activity. They can manifest as an alteration in mental state, tonic or clonic (violent or confused) movements and various other symptoms. They are due to temporary abnormal electrical activity of a group of brain cells. Seizures may occur in people who do not have epilepsy. It affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. It is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication â€` although surgery may be considered in difficult cases.

Episode
Period of mental illness or state during which the patients experiences the distinct symptoms of the state or the illness in question.

Exposure and response prevention
Particular behaviour therapy used to treat people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. During the therapy the patient is deliberately confronted with the object of his/her fear or anxiety, whilst being encouraged not to ritualise.

Exposure therapy
During exposure therapy, the patient repeatedly relives the frightening experience under controlled conditions to help him or her work through the trauma

Extra-pyramidal symptoms (EPS)
A group of side effects from medication. Includes symptoms such as uncontrollable restlessness (i.e. finding it difficult to stand still), muscle stiffness, shaking and other uncontrollable movements.

Fluoxetine
Drug used for the treatment of depression and OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder, and other anxiety disorders. Not to be confused with Aversion Therapy (qv).

Fluphenazine
A tranquilizing drug used especially in the form of its hydrochloride in psychotherapy. Medication used in schizophrenia treatment. An older type of medication, also classified as a typical antipsychotic or conventional neuroleptic.