rumination (rumination disorders) Repeated regurgitation of food over a period of at least 1 month. Regurgitated food may be re—chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out. In rumination disorders, there is no evidence that an associated gastrointestinal or an- other medical condition (e.g., gastroesophageal reﬂux) is sufficient to account for the repeated regurgitation.
Glossary of Technical Terms 829 seasonal pattern A pattern of the occurrence of a specific mental disorder in selected seasons of the year.
self-directedness, self—direction Pursuit of coherent and meaningful short—term and life goals; utilization of constructive and prosocial internal standards of behavior; ability to self—reﬂect productively.
separation insecurity Fears of being alone due to rejection by and / or separation from significant others, based in a lack of confidence in one’s ability to care for oneself, both physically and emotionally. Separation insecurity is a facet of the broad personality trait domain NEGATIVE AFFECTIVITY.
sex Biological indication of male and female (understood in the context of reproductive capacity), such as sex chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, and nonambiguous inter- nal and external genitalia.
sign An objective manifestation of a pathological condition. Signs are observed by the examiner rather than reported by the affected individual. Compare with SYMPTOM.
sleep-onset REM Occurrence of the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep within minutes after falling asleep. Usually assessed by a polysomnographic MULTIPLE SLEEP
LATENCY TEST.
sleep terrors Recurrent episodes of abrupt terror arousals from sleep, usually occurring during the first third of the major sleep episode and beginning with a panicky scream.
There is intense fear and signs of autonomic arousal, such as mydriasis, tachycardia, rapid breathing, and sweating, during each episode.
sleepwalking Repeated episodes of rising from bed during sleep and walking about, usually occurring during the first third of the major sleep episode. While sleepwalking, the person has a blank, staring face, is relatively unresponsive to the efforts of others to communicate with him or her, and can be awakened only with great difficulty.
somnolence (or ”drowsiness”) A state of near—sleep, a strong desire for sleep, or sleep- ing for unusually long periods. It has two distinct meanings, referring both to the usual state preceding falling asleep and to the chronic condition that involves being in that state independent of a circadian rhythm. Compare with HYPERSOMNIA.
specific food cravings Irresistible desire for special types of food.
startle response (or "startle reaction”) An involuntary (reﬂexive) reaction to a sudden unexpected stimulus, such as a loud noise or sharp movement.
stereotypies, stereotyped behaviors/movements Repetitive, abnormally frequent, non- goal-directed movements, seemingly driven, and nonfunctional motor behavior (e.g., hand shaking or waving, body rocking, head banging, self—biting).
stress The pattern of specific and nonspecific responses a person makes to stimulus events that disturb his or her equilibrium and tax or exceed his or her ability to cope.
stressor Any emotional, physical, social, economic, or other factor that disrupts the nor- mal physiological, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral balance of an individual.
stressor, psychological Any life event or life change that may be associated temporally (and perhaps causally) with the onset, occurrence, or exacerbation of a mental disorder.
stupor Lack of psychomotor activity, which may range from not actively relating to the environment to complete immobility.
submissiveness Adaptation of one’s behavior to the actual or perceived interests and desires of others even when doing so is antithetical to one's own interests, needs, or desires. Submissiveness is a facet of the broad personality trait domain NEGATIVE AF-
FECTIVITY.