Clarification of Terminology: Chapter 15

Aetiology The study of the causation of mental disorders.

Clinical picture The constellation of visible signs or symptoms associated with a

particular mental disorder, the interpretation of which leads to a specific diagnosis.

Comorbidity A mental disorder existing simultaneously, but independently, with

another mental disorder in the same individual.

Dangerousness The extent to which an individual with a mental disorder (or

displaying abnormal behavior) is likely to cause harm to self or others. For example,
Tom, who has a history of being a gang member since he was an adolescent, relays to
the clinical psychologist that his girlfriend left him over a month ago and he is feeling
very depressed and angry at her. The clinical psychologist will need to assess whether
Tom is a danger to himself (suicidal) or others such as his girlfriend (homicidal).

Delusions A false belief that is held strongly by an individual, even though they are
presented with evidence to the contrary. For example, Sipho believes that he is
Michael Jackson and spends hours practicing his dance moves for his pending
international performance.

Deviance The extent to which an individual’s behavior and attitudes differ from

norms or accepted social standards. Tom, as a gang member, hijacks expensive cars
and uses a sizeable part of the money from the sale on feeding his cocaine habit. His
stealing and using drugs is against the law and not what most members of his society
do, therefore his behavior can be regarded as deviant.

Diagnosis The determination of the nature of a case of a mental disorder, or the

distinguishing of one mental disorder from another; based on identifying signs and
symptoms of mental disorders. The clinical psychologist will assess Sipho to
determine if his symptoms meet the full criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Differential diagnosis The determination of which disorder may be producing the

symptoms of a mental disorder. Tom is continuously stealing money from his parents.
This one criterion is evident in conduct disorder, kleptomania and antisocial
personality disorder. The clinical psychologist will need to gather further information
(such as Tom’s age and the severity and duration of his symptoms) to assess if he is
also displaying other symptoms and criteria in order to determine which diagnosis, if
any, best describes Tom’s abnormal behavior.
Distress The level of anxiety, sorrow or pain an individual subjectively experiences
due to a mental disorder. Lebo’s sister took her to the hospital as, for over a month,
Lebo has been tearful and in a low mood, and has been staying in bed since her
divorce became finalized. Lebo told her sister, ‘I just don’t see the point of carrying on
with my dreadful life’. Lebo’s experience of her mood will assist the clinical
psychologist in determining the severity of the level of emotional pain she is feeling
during her depressive episode.

Epidemiology The study of the patterns causes and effects of diseases or disorders in

specific populations.

Hallucination A false, often vivid, perception in the absence of external stimuli that
appears to the individual to be real, and to be located in the outside world. A
hallucination can occur in any sensory modality (visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory,
or tactile). Silas complains that he hears angry voices telling him to set fire to his
clothes. However, there is no one in Silas’s room when he hears this instruction, thus
Silas is experiencing an auditory hallucination.

Malingering Pretending to suffer from a physical or psychological illness, or

exaggerating symptoms, in order to avoid unwelcome duties such as work or military
service, or to gain benefits such as financial compensation. For example, Tyrone, an
infamous drug dealer and leader of a hijacking ring who has recently been arrested,
reports hearing voices and presents with a disheveled appearance to the court. His
sudden presentation of symptoms causes the court case to be adjourned until he has
undergone observation in a psychiatric hospital.

Prognosis The prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disorder for an

individual. The clinical psychologist informs Silas’s parents that his illness may have a
poor outcome as he continues to smoke dagga (cannabis), and research shows that
young men often continue to experience psychotic episodes if diagnosed with
schizophrenia when they are young and unemployed and abuse cannabis.

Psychosis Symptoms and abnormal behavior in which an individual has lost contact

with reality and shows a profound deterioration in the ability to perform daily
activities. Silas has lost contact with reality as he says he hears voices when no one is
present.

Symptoms Subjective complaints of the individual. For example, Gail relays to the

doctor that she is experiencing pain and tenderness in her breasts.

Signs Physical changes observed in the individual presenting for treatment. For

example, since Lebo has been depressed she has had a downcast facial expression,
and a drop in her appetite and weight. She also has neglected her appearance by not
bathing and not changing her clothes.
Syndrome Common patterns of symptoms over time. For example, Lebo experienced
a number of symptoms such as low mood and tiredness, which form the common
picture of a major depressive disorder.