Psychiatric Terminology

noun A psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in the legal aspects of mental health, such as determining the competency of individuals in legal settings.

• The alienist was called to testify in court as an expert witness.
• I heard the alienist is coming to town to give a lecture.
• The alienist is like a detective for the mind.
• In a way, a therapist can be seen as an alienist, helping patients navigate their inner world.

noun a state of being beyond reason and self-control

• The drug induced a state of ecstasy in the patient.
• She was in pure ecstasy after receiving the good news.
• I was on cloud nine, feeling pure ecstasy.
• The music was so beautiful, it felt like being in a state of ecstasy.

noun insanity; mental disorder characterized by reckless or irresponsible behavior

• The court declared the defendant's actions as a result of severe lunacy.
• It's pure lunacy to think that plan would work.
• That idea is total lunacy, dude.
• The chaos in the city was like a wave of lunacy sweeping through.

noun a person who is mentally ill, especially one who behaves violently; a deranged person

• The psychiatrist diagnosed the man as a dangerous lunatic.
• I heard that guy is a complete lunatic, always doing crazy things.
• That lunatic is off his rocker, I swear.
• The idea of jumping out of a plane seems like something only a lunatic would do.

noun a person who experiences extreme mood swings, including manic episodes and depressive episodes

adjective relating to or characteristic of manic depression

• The patient was diagnosed with manic depressive disorder and prescribed medication to manage the symptoms.
• My friend's mom is manic depressive, but she's doing much better since starting therapy.
• I heard he's been acting all manic depressive lately, but I think it's just stress from work.
• The weather has been so manic depressive lately, one minute sunny and the next pouring rain.

adjective relating to or characterized by a personality disorder marked by a lack of interest in social relationships

• The patient exhibited schizoid tendencies during the psychological evaluation.
• I heard that guy is a bit schizoid, always keeping to himself.
• Don't mind her, she's just being schizoid today.
• The company's decision to restructure seemed schizoid, with no clear direction.

noun a garment shaped like a jacket with long sleeves that is used to bind the arms tightly against the body as a means of restraining a violent person

• The patient was restrained in a straightjacket to prevent him from harming himself.
• They had to put him in a straightjacket because he wouldn't stop moving around.
• He felt like he was in a straightjacket with all the rules and regulations at work.
• The strict dress code felt like a straightjacket on her personal style.

noun a garment shaped like a jacket with long sleeves that is used to bind the arms tightly against the body as a means of restraining a violent person

• The patient was restrained in a straitjacket to prevent any self-harming behavior.
• They had to put him in a straitjacket because he was getting too rowdy.
• They really need to loosen up that straitjacket, it's way too tight.
• Being stuck in a job you hate can feel like wearing a mental straitjacket.

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun, in this case, 'antischizophrenic' describes something that is against or counteracting schizophrenia

• The new medication has been proven to be antischizophrenic in its effects.
• My doctor prescribed me an antischizophrenic drug to help with my symptoms.
• I heard that street drug is supposed to be antischizophrenic, but who knows if it actually works.
• His calming presence was like an antischizophrenic for the chaotic situation.

noun a wandering beggar or vagrant, especially one pretending to be insane

adjective describing someone or something related to a wandering beggar or vagrant, especially one pretending to be insane

• The abram-man was arrested for attempting to pickpocket unsuspecting pedestrians.
• I heard that abram-man got caught trying to steal from people on the street.
• That abram-man is always up to no good.
• The con artist was like an abram-man, always looking for his next victim.