Glossary of Terms - Mental and Emotional Disorders

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Glossary - "T"

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

Temperament Problem
The term used for a personal characteristic where an individual has an abrasive or difficult demeanor or who is slow to warm up to other individuals. Social relationships might be strained if the individuals are judged too quickly, however these individuals can often find acceptable social relationships. The purpose for including these individuals is to assist those in dealing with the individuals to recognize and adjust to their needs. Some experts believe Temperament Disorders predispose to other mental disorders and should be addressed as if more serious. See Validation Statement.

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Temporal Sequential Disorder
The term used for a disorder where an individual has problems perceiving the passage of time or cannot accurately understand the concepts of the measurement of time by a clock where the duration of an event is measured in sequentially larger units (seconds, minutes, hours, etc.) The individual also has a problem with placing objects, letters or numbers in their appropriate position so as to produce a sensible construct. In a practical sense this problem would impair many skills necessary for academic success (spelling, counting, syntax and orderly problem solving). See Validation Statement.

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Tic/Movement Disorders
The term used for a condition where an individual has a repetitive and nonproductive disorder of movement that involves muscle groups and/or vocalizations.

A motor tic is a movement problem that may be as simple as eye blinking or as profound as a pronounced rotational movement of the neck and shoulders.

Vocal tics are uncontrolled vocalizations that usually consist of meaningless sounds, repetitive words or echoed sentences.

Tics are seen more frequently with stress and occur in about 30% of individuals who are diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Tics may occur in an individual who is on stimulant medication and usually stop with the discontinuation of the drug. Tics are also believed to occur in association with a streptococcal infection. In the latter the tics exacerbate with an acute infection and slowly remit, presumably as the immune system adjusts to the absence of the infection. One should not confuse vocal tics with excessive talking or motor tics with hyperactivity as those seen in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Vocal and Motor tics can occur in individuals with a coexistent mental disorder. Tic Disorders usually begin with head or facial movements and over time proceed down to involve the body. Tic disorders are divided into the following categories:

Transient Tic Disorders
Tourette's Disorder
Chronic Vocal or Motor Tic Disorder
Tic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified

For the disorders listed above see them individually in the ABLE Glossary. See Validation Statement, Stereotypical Movement, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety Disorder.

Tic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified

The term used for a tic or movement disorder where an individual has tics that do not meet the criteria for a specific tic disorder. See Validation Statement.

Go to ABLE Resource Room for an article on Tic Disorders

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Tourette's Disorder
The term used for a tic or movement disorder where an individual has both multiple motor tics and one or more vocal tics. The tics occur many times a day and nearly every day for a period of more than one year. See Validation Statement, Tic Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorder.

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Transient Tic Disorder
The term used for a condition where an individual has single or multiple motor or vocal tics that occur many times a day nearly every day for at least four weeks but for no longer than 12 consecutive months. The criteria for Chronic Tic Disorder has never been met. It must occur before the age of 18 years. See Validation Statement and Tic Disorder.

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Trichotillomania
The term used for a disorder where an individual has a problem with an increasing sense of tension until that individual pulls out his/her hair. The problem results in noticeable hair loss. There is usually some relief of tension after pulling out hair. The condition is not caused by a medical condition and contributes a significant amount of distress. See Validation Statement and Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders.

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