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A clinical manual of mental diseases.Introduction. Definitions.

A clinical manual of mental diseases.: Introduction. Definitions. The wide scope of the subject and the relation which insanity bears to other states precludes a simple and formal definition. This becomes evident as soon as a definition is attempted. To the medical mind a formal definition of insanity is neither necessary nor possible. However, a definition is sometimes exacted on the witness stand. Under these circumstances, insanity may be defined as a diseased state in which there is a more or less persistent departure from the normal manner of thinking, acting, and feeling. In order to discuss intelligently the symptoms presented by the insane, it is necessary that we should have clear conceptions of some of the terms by which these symptoms are designated. These include hallucinations, illusions, delusions--each of these conceptions is defined. Also defined are neurasthenia, which deals with functional conditions, and neuropathy, which deals with fundamental deficiencies in the nervous system. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

A clinical manual of mental diseases.Introduction. Definitions.

Dercum, Francis X.
American Psychological Association — Feb 8, 2010
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Publisher
W B Saunders Co
Copyright
Copyright © 1917 American Psychological Association
Pages
17 –25
DOI
10.1037/12015-001
Publisher site
See Chapter on Publisher Site

Abstract

The wide scope of the subject and the relation which insanity bears to other states precludes a simple and formal definition. This becomes evident as soon as a definition is attempted. To the medical mind a formal definition of insanity is neither necessary nor possible. However, a definition is sometimes exacted on the witness stand. Under these circumstances, insanity may be defined as a diseased state in which there is a more or less persistent departure from the normal manner of thinking, acting, and feeling. In order to discuss intelligently the symptoms presented by the insane, it is necessary that we should have clear conceptions of some of the terms by which these symptoms are designated. These include hallucinations, illusions, delusions--each of these conceptions is defined. Also defined are neurasthenia, which deals with functional conditions, and neuropathy, which deals with fundamental deficiencies in the nervous system. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Published: Feb 8, 2010

Keywords: mental disease; insanity; definitions; terminology; symptoms; hallucinations; illusions; delusions; neurasthenia; neuropathy

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