Glossary

Unprovoked perceptual experiences that occur in a person's mind through any sense (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) in the absence of external stimulation.

Refers to the individual's attention to activities which preserve health such as showering, washing hair, cleaning teeth.

Excessive motor activity that may be purposeful or aimless; movements and utterances are usually more rapid than normal. Hyperactivity is a prominent feature of attention-deficit disorder and hypo / hypermania.

One of the somatoform disorders, characterised by persisting worry about health or fear of having some disease despite appropriate medical reassurance and lack of findings on physical or laboratory examination. Fear of contracting a disease is considered to be a phobia rather than hypochondriasis.

Mood abnormality with the qualitative characteristics of mania but somewhat less intense. It is characterised by unrealistic optimism, pressure of speech and activity, and a decreased need for sleep. Some people show increased creativity during hypomanic states, whereas others show poor judgement, or irritability.