| existential | Pertaining to a branch of philosophy, existentialism, concerned with the search for the meaning of one's own existence, that has been extended into existential psychotherapy. Origin: L. Existentia, existence (05 Mar 2000) |
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| existential psychiatry | A type of therapy, based on existential philosophy, emphasizing confrontation, primarily spontaneous interaction, and feeling experiences rather than rational thinking, with less attention given to patient resistances; the therapist is involved on the same level and to the same degree as the patient. Synonym: existential psychiatry. (05 Mar 2000) |
| existential psychology | A theory of psychology, based on the philosophies of phenomenology and existentialism, which holds that the proper study of psychology is an individual's experience of the sequence, spatiality, and organization of his or her existence in the world. (05 Mar 2000) |
| existential psychotherapy | A type of therapy, based on existential philosophy, emphasizing confrontation, primarily spontaneous interaction, and feeling experiences rather than rational thinking, with less attention given to patient resistances; the therapist is involved on the same level and to the same degree as the patient. Synonym: existential psychiatry. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anti-anxiety agents | Agents that alleviate anxiety, tension, and neurotic symptoms, promote sedation, and have a calming effect without affecting clarity of consciousness or neurologic conditions. Some are also effective as anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, or anaesthesia adjuvants. Adrenergic beta-antagonists are commonly used in the symptomatic treatment of anxiety but are not included here. Substances with a benzodiazepine ring structure widely used to treat anxiety and neuroses. Drugs in this class also generally have sedative or weak hypnotic properties and may be effective as muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, and anaesthesia adjuvants. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anxiety | <psychology> The unpleasant emotional state consisting of psychophysiological responses to anticipation of unreal or imagined danger, ostensibly resulting from unrecognised intrapsychic conflict. Physiological concomitants include increased heart rate, altered respiration rate, sweating, trembling, weakness and fatigue, psychological concomitants include feelings of impending danger, powerlessness, apprehension and tension. (18 Nov 1997) |
| anxiety attack | An acute episode of anxiety. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anxiety, castration | Anxiety due to fantasied injuries to or loss of the genitals. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anxiety disorders | Disorders in which anxiety (persistent feelings of apprehension, tension, or uneasiness) is the predominant disturbance. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anxiety dream | A dream (or nightmare) in which morbid fear and anxiety form an important part. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anxiety hysteria | Hysteria characterised by manifest anxiety. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anxiety neurosis | Chronic abnormal distress and worry to the point of panic followed by a tendency to avoid or run from the feared situation, associated with overaction of the sympathetic nervous system. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anxiety reaction | A sudden bout of anxiety that is often accompanied by the features of hyperventilation (tingling around mouth and in fingertips, rapid breathing, faintness or fainting). (27 Sep 1997) |
| anxiety, separation | Anxiety experienced by an individual upon separation from a person or object of particular significance to him. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anxiety syndrome | <syndrome> The constellation of autonomic nervous system signs and symptoms accompanying the apprehension of danger and dread. See: anxiety. (05 Mar 2000) |