Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

390 Appendix II Glossary of Terms Commonly Used in Geriatric Mental Health
Acute Treatment. Formally defi ned procedures used to reduce and remove
the signs and symptoms of depression and to restore psychosocial
function.
Adequate Treatment Analysis. Analysis of data in terms of the relationship
between the number of patients who received a predetermined
minimum amount of treatment and the number who responded.
*Advanced Life Support. A medical procedure performed by paramedics
that includes the advanced diagnosis and protocol-driven treatment
of a patient in the fi eld.
Affective Lability. Rapidly changing or unstable expressions of emotion
or mood.
Agnosia. Loss or impairment of the ability to recognize, understand,
or interpret sensory stimuli or features of the outside world such as
shapes or symbols.
Agoraphobia. A disorder characterized by a fear of open, public places
or crowded situations.
Anhedonia. An absence of or the inability to experience a sense of
pleasure from any activity.
Aphasia. Prominent language dysfunction affecting an individual’s
ability to articulate ideas or comprehend spoken or written language.
Apraxia. Loss or impairment of the ability to perform a learned motor
act in the absence of sensory or motor impairment (e.g., paralysis or
paresis).
*Basic Life Support. Noninvasive measures used to treat unstable patients,
such as extraction of airway obstructions, cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, care of wounds and hemorrhages, and immobilization
of fractures.
Behavioral Therapy. A form of psychotherapy focused on modifying
observable problematic behaviors by systematic manipulation of the
environment.
*Bioterrorism. The unlawful release of biologic agents or toxins with
the intent to intimidate or coerce a government or civilian population
to further political or social objectives; humans, animals, and
plants are often targets.