mixed episode

in DSM–IV–TR, an episode of a mood disorder in which symptoms meeting criteria for both a major depressive episode and a manic episode are prominent over the course of the disturbance. One or more mixed episodes may be a feature of bipolar disorder. In DSM–5, the specifier “with mixed features” is used instead of mixed episode to characterize the presence of these symptoms.

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Psychology term of the day

November 16th 2024

antilibidinal ego

in the object relations theory of British psychoanalyst W. Ronald D. Fairbairn (1889–1964), the portion of the ego structure that is similar to Sigmund Freud’s superego. The antilibidinal ego constitutes a nonpleasure-gratifying, self-deprecatory, or even hostile self-image; it is posited to develop out of the unitary ego present at birth when the infantile libidinal ego (similar to the id) experiences deprivation at the hands of the parent and the infant suppresses his or her frustrated needs. Also called internal saboteur. See Fairbairnian theory.