Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


emergency psychotherapy

psychological treatment of individuals who have undergone a traumatic experience (e.g., a road accident) and are in a state of acute anxiety, panic, or shock or are suicidal. Therapists may call on a very broad range of techniques depending on the immediate needs of the client. See also crisis intervention.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

December 26th 2024

mental disorder

mental disorder

any condition characterized by cognitive and emotional disturbances, abnormal behaviors, impaired functioning, or any combination of these. Such disorders cannot be accounted for solely by environmental circumstances and may involve physiological, genetic, chemical, social, and other factors. Specific classifications of mental disorders are elaborated in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (see DSM–IV–TR; DSM–5) and the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases. Also called mental illness; psychiatric disorder; psychiatric illness; psychological disorder. See also psychopathology.