Category: A
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Agnosia
The inability to recognize or identify objects despite intact sensory function. It may be seen in dementia. Inability to understand the impact or significance of sensory stimuli. Loss of ability to understand or interpret auditory, visual, or other forms of sensory information even though the respective sensory organs are functioning properly. Loss of comprehension of…
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Agitation
Excessive motor activity, usually non-purposeful and associated with internal tension. Examples: in- ability include inability to sit still, fidgeting, pacing, wringing of hands, and pulling of clothes. In psychology, marked restlessness and psychomotor excitement. A state of being very nervous and anxious. Excessive restlessness, increased mental and physical activity, especially the latter. Amidst the intricate…
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Agitated depression
A severe major depressive disorder in which psychomotor agitation is prominent. A severe major depressive disorder in which psychomotor agitation is prominent; formerly known as involutional melancholia. A severe major depressive disorder in which psychomotor agitation is prominent. In persons of climacteric age, it was formerly known as involutional melancholia.
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Aging
Characteristic pattern of life changes that occur normally in humans, plants, and animals as they grow older. Some age changes begin at birth and continue until death; other changes begin at maturity and end at death. The process, affecting organisms and most cells, whereby each cell division (mitosis) brings that cell (or organism composed of…
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Aggression
Forceful physical, verbal, or symbolic action. May be appropriate and self-protective, including healthy self-assertiveness, or inappropriate as in hostile or destructive behavior. May also be directed toward the environment, toward another person or personality, or toward the self, as in depression. To attack. The state of feeling violently angry towards someone or something. Hostile behavior…
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Ageism
Systematic stereotyping of and discrimination against elderly people. It is distinguished from gerontophobia, a specific pathological fear of old people and aging. Prejudice and discrimination on the basis of age.
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Age-associated memory impairment (AAMI)
The mild disturbance in memory function that occurs normally with aging. It is also called benign senescent forgetfulness.
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Aftercare
Posthospitalization program of rehabilitation designed to reinforce the effects of therapy and to help the patient adjust to his or her environment and prevent relapse. Outpatient treatment of formerly institutionalized persons within their communities. The care of a person who has had an operation. Aftercare treatment involves changing dressings and helping people to look after…
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Affect
Behavior that expresses a subjectively experienced emotion. Affect is responsive to changing emotional states, whereas mood refers to a pervasive and sustained emotion. Common affects are euphoria, anger, and sadness. Some types of disturbance of affect are the following: a) Blunted: Severe reduction in the intensity of affective expression. b) Flat: Absence or near absence…
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Adrenoleukodystrophy
Formerly known as Schilder’s disease; a rare, X-linked recessive metabolic disorder occurring in boys, characterized by adrenal atrophy and widespread, diffuse cerebral demyelination. It produces DEMENTIA, corticospinal tract dysfunction, and cortical blindness. An inherited disorder of the adrenal glands in boys. Adrenoleukodystrophy is an inherited, serious, progressive neurological disorder effecting the adrenal gland and white…