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crash

n.

1. the withdrawal symptoms, usually dominated by feelings of severe depression, that occur following a lengthy period of amphetamine intoxication. The user may sleep for several days more or less continuously, displaying signs of exhaustion and irritation during waking periods. See amphetamine withdrawal.

2. the period following the “rush” or “high” produced by intravenous cocaine administration. As feelings of euphoria wear off, they are replaced by irritability, depression, and anxiety, as well as strong craving for another dose. See cocaine withdrawal.

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Psychology term of the day

January 19th 2025

herpetic neuralgia

herpetic neuralgia

pain associated with shingles, caused by reactivation of the herpes varicella-zoster virus (see herpes infection). Following an attack of chicken pox, the virus lies dormant in a dorsal nerve root and ganglion of the spinal cord; when reactivated, it spreads down the sensory nerve, causing vesicle formation and severe, burning, lancinating pain. This acute pain typically resolves in 3 to 5 weeks, but patients often develop the chronic, debilitating pain known as postherpetic neuralgia.