Psychiatry Dictionary
Some concepts used in psychiatry and psychotherapy are also frequently encountered in everyday language. However, the same word can have different meanings in everyday language and in clinical usage. For this reason, I have compiled this glossary with the aim of explaining concepts frequently used in the fields of psychiatry and psychotherapy in clear and scientific language.
Understanding a concept does not mean that a person is diagnosing themselves or someone else. Psychiatric symptoms are assessed in conjunction with the person’s history, the difficulties they are experiencing, the duration, severity and impact on daily life.
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Obsession
Thoughts, impulses, or images that repeatedly enter the mind against the person's will and often cause anxiety or distress.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
A psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions that are time-consuming, distressing, or impair daily functioning.