Psychiatry

Glossary of Mental Health Terms

Glossary of Terms – N

To view this glossary simply click on the corresponding letter below.

Please note – this is not an exhaustive list, but includes some fo the terminology commonly used in the assessment and treatment of mental illness. The terms in this glossary were derived from the medical glossary of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and are used with the Centre's permission

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Narcolepsy - Excessive daytime sleepiness. When the brain is unable to properly regulate the cycles of sleep and wakefulness, people with narcolepsy begin to feel an overwhelming urge to sleep and may even fall asleep unexpectedly for periods last a few seconds or extend out to a few minutes.

Negativism – an attitude characterized by ignoring, resisting or opposing suggestions from other people.

Neuroleptics – medications used in the treatment of the symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic conditions. Also known as major tranquilizers. or antipsychotic medications. This word is derived from Greek. 'Neuro' meaning nerves and 'lept' meaning 'to take hold of'.

Neurotransmitters – Brain chemicals that travel from one neuron or nerve cell across a small gap (the synaptic cleft) to attach to a receptor on the surface of the second neuron thereby transmitting a signal between the two cells. There are literally hundreds of neurotransmitters in the brain, and examples of these include norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine and acetylcholine.

Norepinephrine – One of the neurotransmitters involved in depression. Antidepressant drugs work by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine in the brain.

Not criminally responsible (ncr) – See Criminal responsibility.

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