The language of psychiatry has evolved through the past century into a more precise and intuitive professional lexicon. The ability to precisely describe mental phenomena is a vital skill in clinical practice. Some of the terms may still carry the scent of old time when little scientific evidence was available; however, maintain in active use in accordance with the traditional communication in the profession.

Abulia

1. ▶ Lack of impulse and motivation to act or think spontaneously

2. ▶ Lack of ability to make decisions

3. ▶ Indifference

Acrophobia

1. ▶ Dread of high places

2. ▶ Also known as “high anxiety”?

Affect vs. mood

1. ▶ Both are descriptions of emotional status

2. ▶ Affect is the observed outward manifestation

3. ▶ Mood is the subjective inward feeling

Agnosia

1. ▶ Loss of ability to recognize or interpret the significance of sensory stimuli

Agraphia

1. ▶ Loss of ability to write

Akathisia

1. ▶ Subjective feeling of motor restlessness

2. ▶ Feeling the constant need of frequently moving or changing position

Akinesia

1. ▶ Significant decrease or lack of physical movement

Alexithymia

1. ▶ Inability to be aware of or to express one's own mood and feeling

Amaurosis fugax

1. ▶ Transient monocular visual loss

2. ▶ Causes

1. ▶ Compromised internal carotid or ophthalmic artery (most common)

2. ▶ Optic neuropathies

3. ▶ Giant cell arteritis

4. ▶ Angle-closure glaucoma

5. ▶ Migraine

6. ▶ Psychogenic – conversion

Anhedonia

1. ▶ Loss of interest in almost any activity; often seen in depression

Anomia

1. ▶ Loss of ability to tell names of objects

Anosognosia

1. ▶ Loss of ability to recognize physical deficits