Glossary

A false belief involving the functioning of one's body, such as the conviction of a postmenopausal woman that she is pregnant, or a person's conviction that his nose is misshapen and ugly when there is nothing wrong with it.

These disorders are characterised by physical complaints that appear to be medical in origin but that cannot be explained in terms of a physical disease, the results of substance abuse, or by another mental disorder.

Sleepiness, the state of feeling drowsy, or being ready to fall asleep.

The faculty or act of expressing or describing thoughts, feelings, or perceptions by the articulation of words.

Long pauses between phrases or before beginning sentences.

Abnormal speech in which the person pauses between words, breaking the rhythm of the phrase or sentence.

The person's height and build.

A strengths perspective or practice model rests on the assumption that there are strengths and resources present for all people, in all situations and forms of distress.

Marked decrease in reactivity to and awareness of the environment, with reduced spontaneous movements and activity. It can be seen as a type of catatonic behaviour in schizophrenia, but it can also be observed in serious physical illnesses.