psych-, psycho-, -psyche, -psychic, -psychical, -psychically +
(Greek: mind, spirit, consciousness; mental processes; the human soul; breath of life)
A prefix that is normally used with elements of Greek origin, psych- affects the meanings of hundreds of words.
Etymologically, this element includes such meanings as, breath, to breathe, life, soul, spirit, mind, consciousness; and literally, "that which breathes".
psychophysicotherapeutics
Remedial treatment of mind and body.
psychophysics
The science of the relation between the physical attributes of a stimulus and the measured, quantitative attributes of the mental perception of that stimulus (e.g., the relationship between changes in decibel level and the corresponding changes in the person's perception of the sound).
psychophysiologist
Someone who studies psychophysiology.
psychophysiology
The science of the relationship between psychological and physiological processes; e.g., conscious elements of autonomic nervous system activity activated by emotion.
psychoplegia
Dementia of a rapidly progressive nature.
psychopolitics
Characterized by the interaction of politics or political events and behavior; psychopolitical.
psychopomp
A person who conducts spirits or souls to the other world, as Hermes or Charon.
psychoprophylactic
Preparation for childbirth with mental and physical training of the mother for delivery. The goals of the preparation include the elimination of the fear of pain and the expectation that a healthy child will be born.
psychoprophylaxis
1. A natural childbirth technique in which psychological preparation is used to condition the patient and diminish perception of pain.
2. Psychotherapy directed toward the prevention of emotional disorders and the maintenance of mental health.
psychopyrism
The belief that fire is the substance of the soul; psychopyrist, someone who holds this belief.
psychorelaxation
A method of treating anxiety and tension by practicing general bodily relaxation, as in systematic desensitization.
psychorhythmia, psychorrhythmia
An involuntary repetition of formerly voluntary activities.
psychorrhagia, psychorrhagic, psychorrhagy
Death agony.
psychorrhea
1. Rarely used term for a psychiatric syndrome characterized by incoherent and strange philosophical theories; a manifestation of schizophrenia.
2. A form of hebephrenic schizophrenia characterized by vague and often bizarre theories of philosophy; usually, the stream of thought is incoherent.
psychorrhexis
A malignant type of anxiety reaction seen in two to three percent of war neuroses.
Anguish and perplexity, rather than fear or excitement, are the primary features. Pulse remains above 120, respiration about 40.
Body temperature rises rapidly after seven days, the tongue becomes ulcerated, and jaundice and tympanitic abdomen may appear. Patients become restless, develop automatic movements and facial spasms.
Inter-related cross references, directly or indirectly, involving the "mind, mental" word units:
anima-;
anxi-;
deliri-;
hallucina-;
menti-;
moro-;
noo-;
nous;
phreno-;
thymo-2.
Word units related to breath and breathe:
hal-;
pneo-;
pneumato-;
pneumo-;
spiro.
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