empathy Comprehension and appreciation of othe rs’ experiences and motivations; tol-
erance of differing perspectives; understand ing the effects of own behavior on others.
episode (episodic) A specified duration of time during which the patient has developed or
experienced symptoms that meet the diagnostic  criteria for a given mental disorder. De-
pending on the type of mental disorder, episode  may denote a certain number of symptoms
or a specified severity or frequency of symptoms. Episodes may be further differentiated
as a single (first) episode or a recurrence or relapse of mult iple episodes if appropriate.
euphoria A mental and emotional condition in wh ich a person experiences intense feel-
ings of well-being, elation, happiness, excitement, and joy.
fatigability Tendency to become easily fatigued. See also  FATIGUE .
fatigue A state (also called exhaustion, tiredness, lethargy, languidness, languor, lassi-
tude, and listlessness) usually associated with a weakening or depletion of one’s phys-
ical and/or mental resources,  ranging from a general state of lethargy to a specific,
work-induced burning sensation within one’s muscles. Physical fatigue leads to an in-
ability to continue functioning at one’s norm al level of activity. Although widespread
in everyday life, this state usually becomes particularly noticeable during heavy exer-
cise. Mental fatigue, by contrast, most often manifests as SOMNOLENCE  (sleepiness).
fear An emotional response to perceived imminent threat or danger associated with
urges to flee or fight.
flashback A dissociative state during which aspe cts of a traumatic event are reexperi-
enced as though they were occurring at that moment.
flight of ideas A nearly continuous flow of accele rated speech with abrupt changes