adventitious visual impairment

partial or total visual impairment that results from injury or illness following a period of normal visual ability. Onset of the impairment can produce severe grief, mourning reactions, and dependency. As a consequence, any residual visual capacity may not be used effectively, exacerbating psychological and social-adjustment problems. Also called acquired visual impairment. Compare congenital visual impairment.

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Psychology term of the day

December 19th 2024

separation–individuation

n. a developmental phase in which the infant gradually differentiates himself or herself from the mother, develops awareness of his or her separate identity, and attains relatively autonomous status. [defined by Hungarian-born U.S. child psychoanalyst Margaret Schönberger Mahler (1897–1985)]