Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic abuse

in DSM–IV–TR, a pattern of use of sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic drugs marked by recurrent significant adverse consequences related to the repeated ingestion of these substances. This diagnosis is preempted by the diagnosis of sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic dependence: If the criteria for abuse and dependence are both met, only the latter diagnosis is given. Both have now been subsumed in DSM–5 under sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder and are no longer considered distinct diagnoses.

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

January 13th 2025

discontinuity hypothesis

discontinuity hypothesis

in Gestalt psychology, the viewpoint that emphasizes the role of sudden insight and perceptual reorganization in successful discrimination learning and problem solving. According to this view, a correct answer is only recognized when its relation to the issue as a whole is discovered. Also called discontinuity theory. Compare continuity hypothesis. See also aha experience; all-or-none learning; eureka task.