Category: S
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Shen-k’uei
A Chinese syndrome attributed to excessive semen loss from frequent intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal emission, or passing of “white turbid urine” believed to contain semen. This loss is feared because of the belief that it represents the loss of one’s vital essence and can thereby be life threatening. Symptoms include dizziness, backache, general weakness, insomnia, and…
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Shenjing shuairuo
In China, a condition characterized by physical and mental fatigue, concentration difficulties, sleep disturbances, and memory loss. In many cases, the symptoms would meet the criteria for a dsm-iv-tr mood or anxiety disorder. Shenjing shuairuo, or neurasthenia, is a culture-bound syndrome found predominately in China, and other East Asian cultures, such as Hong Kong and Korea.…
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Shell shock
Term used in World War I to designate a wide variety of mental disorders presumably due to combat experience. A term used in World War I for what is now referred to as posttraumatic stress disorder. It was originally believed to be caused by sudden atmospheric changes from nearby explosions. A term used during World War…
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Shared psychotic disorder
Induced psychotic disorder; for example, person A develops a delusion in the context of a close relationship with person B, who has an already established delusion. The delusion in person A is similar in content to person B’s delusion. One example is folie à deux. Shared psychotic disorder, also known as folie à deux, is…
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Shaping
Reinforcement of responses in the patient’s repertoire that increasingly approximate sought-after behavior. In operant conditioning, reinforcing responses that are successively closer approximations of the desired behavior. A technique of behavior modification used in the teaching of complex skills or in encouraging rare forms of behavior. At first the therapist rewards actions that are similar to…
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Shame
An emotion resulting from the failure to live up to self-expectations.
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Shaman
A healer whose ability comes from trancelike or supernatural experiences. Pertaining to teachers, doctors, and health professionals who use magic in their professional practice. A healer (usually from a tribal or preindustrial culture) who uses non-Western practices and techniques, including faith healing, spirituality, psychological manipulation, chanting, rituals, magic, and culturally meaningful symbolism to restore health…
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Sexual sadism
One of the paraphilias, characterized by marked distress over, or acting on, desires to inflict physical or psychological suffering, including humiliation, on the victim.
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Sexual pain disorders
A subcategory of sexual dysfunctions that includes dyspareunia and vaginismus.
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Sexual masochism
One of the paraphilias, characterized by marked distress over, or acting on, sexual urges to be humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer by the sexual partner. Among the frequently reported masochistic acts are restraint (physical bondage), blindfolding, whipping or flagellation, electrical shocks, or being treated as a helpless infant and clothed in diapers…