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organic defect

a congenital defect that is not the result of a genetic anomaly. For example, a mental or physical defect in offspring can result from maternal illness or other conditions in pregnancy, including preeclampsia, viral infections (e.g., rubella), sexually transmitted infections, protozoan infections (e.g., toxoplasmosis), dietary deficiencies, or drug abuse (e.g., alcoholism).

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Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

laxative addiction

laxative addiction

a dependence on the use of laxatives to induce bowel movements. The addiction is a vicious cycle, in which the use of laxatives gradually reduces bowel activity so that further use becomes the only way to avoid constipation. Laxative addiction is often associated with eating disorders in which laxatives are routinely used for purging. See also enema addiction; klismaphilia.