Antipsychotics: A group of medications used to treat psychotic illnesses, first developed in the 1950s and 1960s. Newer antipsychotics developed in the 1990s are known as atypicals and may have fewer side effects, such as movement disorders.
Apathy: A symptom of several mental illnesses, apathy is a lack of emotion or interest in things one would ordinarily consider important.
Bipolar Disorder: Formerly referred to as manic depression, bipolar is a serious mood disorder, typically beginning in adolescence or early adulthood, in which manic “highs” and depressed “lows” alternate with periods of normal mood.
Delusion: A belief that is held strongly, even in the face of evidence that it is false.
Depression: A spectrum of affective disorders, ranging from passing sad moods to serious, crippling disease requiring medical treatment. Depression is one of the symptoms that may be associated with schizophrenia.
Hallucination: A false distorted perception, including sensations of sight, sound, taste, smell, or touch, typically accompanied by a powerful sense of their reality.
Multiple Personality: A generally rare personality disorder often inaccurately associated with schizophrenia.
Negative Symptoms: In schizophrenia, symptoms such as lack of drive or initiative, social withdrawal, and apathy. These symptoms are called “negative” because the behavior takes away from what is considered normal.
Neuroleptics: Another term for antipsychotic medications.
Paranoia: A developing pattern of unfounded thoughts and fears, often based on misinterpretation of actual events. People with paranoia may have the delusion that others are conspiring to do them harm.
Positive Symptoms: In schizophrenia, symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and agitation. These symptoms are called “positive” because the behavior adds to what is considered normal.
Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who has specialized in psychiatry, is qualified to diagnose and treat mental disorders such as schizophrenia, and is able to prescribe medications.
Psychologist: A nonmedical professional possessing a degree in psychology who is qualified to diagnose and treat mental disorders such as schizophrenia with nonmedical therapies.
Psychosis: A loss of contact with reality, typically including delusions (false ideas about what is taking place or who one is) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there).
