Psychotropic: meaning, definitions and examples
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psychotropic
[ˌsaɪ.kəˈtrɒp.ɪk ]
Definitions
mental health treatment
Relating to or denoting drugs that affect a person's mental state, such as anxiolytics, antidepressants, or antipsychotics.
Synonyms
mind-altering, psychiatric, psychoactive.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| psychotropic |
Commonly used in medical or pharmacological contexts to describe drugs that affect the mind, behavior, and emotions. It generally refers to prescription medications.
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| psychoactive |
Primarily used in scientific or medical contexts to refer to substances that affect the brain's functioning, mood, or perception. This term can be applied to both recreational drugs and prescribed medications.
|
| mind-altering |
Often used in casual or informal settings to denote substances that change the natural state of the mind. It can refer to both legal and illegal substances.
|
| psychiatric |
Typically used in clinical or medical discussions pertaining to mental health conditions and treatments. Refers to anything related to psychiatry.
|
Examples of usage
- Many patients with severe mental illnesses are prescribed psychotropic medications.
- The doctor recommended a combination of therapy and psychotropic drugs for the patient.
psychology
Affecting the mind or behavior.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| psychotropic |
Psychotropic drugs are often mentioned when discussing treatments for mental disorders or brain-related disorders. They affect a person's mind, mood, or behavior.
|
| mental |
Mental pertains to the mind or intellectual processes. It can refer to mental health, mental activities, or the capacity of the mind.
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| emotional |
Emotional is used to describe feelings and expressions related to one's emotional states. It can apply to both positive and negative emotions.
|
| cognitive |
Cognitive relates to processes of thought such as memory, problem-solving, and decision-making. It is often used in educational or psychological contexts.
|
Examples of usage
- His psychotropic behavior alarmed his friends.
- The psychotropic effects of the drug were evident in the test results.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Greek roots 'psyche' meaning 'soul' or 'mind' and 'tropikos' meaning 'turning'.
- First recorded use dates back to the mid-20th century as scientists began exploring the effects of certain substances on mental health.
Science
- Many psychotropic substances, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics, are used to treat mental health conditions.
- Some psychotropic drugs are naturally occurring, like those found in certain plants, while others are synthetically created in laboratories.
Culture
- The use of psychotropic substances has been documented in shamanistic practices and traditional healing across various cultures worldwide.
- In the 1960s, there was a cultural revolution surrounding the use of psychotropic drugs, which influenced music, art, and literature.
Psychology
- Psychotropic drugs can alter mood, perception, and consciousness, which can lead to therapeutic benefits or adverse effects.
- Research shows that the environment and mindset greatly influence the effects of these substances on individuals.
Legal and Ethical Issues
- The legality of psychotropic drugs varies widely by country, with some being available by prescription only, while others are completely banned.
- There is an ongoing debate about the ethical implications of using psychotropic drugs for enhancing normal cognitive functions rather than just treating disorders.
Translations
Translations of the word "psychotropic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 psicotrópico
🇮🇳 मनोदैहिक
🇩🇪 psychotrop
🇮🇩 psikotropik
🇺🇦 психотропний
🇵🇱 psychotropowy
🇯🇵 向精神薬
🇫🇷 psychotrope
🇪🇸 psicotrópico
🇹🇷 psikotropik
🇰🇷 향정신성
🇸🇦 نفساني التأثير
🇨🇿 psychotropní
🇸🇰 psychotropný
🇨🇳 精神药物
🇸🇮 psihotropen
🇮🇸 geðlyf
🇰🇿 психотроптық
🇬🇪 ფსიქოტროპული
🇦🇿 psixotrop
🇲🇽 psicotrópico