locked ward

a secured hospital unit in which patients with severe mental disorders reside. The present trend is toward elimination of locked wards. Factors leading to their less frequent use are improvements in psychological interventions, the use of psychoactive drugs, and the concepts of the open hospital and therapeutic community.

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Psychology term of the day

November 25th 2024

hyperorexia

n. a pathologically increased appetite. See also bulimia. Compare hyporexia.