rhythm (electrocardiography).
posturing Spontaneous and active maintenance of a posture against gravity (as seen in
CATATONIA ). Abnormal posturing may also be a si gn of certain injuries to the brain or
spinal cord, including the following:
decerebrate posture The arms and legs are out straight and rigid, the toes point
downward, and the head is arched backward.
decorticate posture The body is rigid, the arms are stiff and bent, the fists are tight,
and the legs are straight out.
opisthotonus The back is rigid and arching, and the head is thrown backward.
An affected person may alternate between different postures as the condition changes.
pressured speech Speech that is increased in amount, a ccelerated, and difficult or impossi-
ble to interrupt. Usually it is also loud an d emphatic. Frequently th e person talks without
any social stimulation and may continue to talk even though no one is listening.
prodrome An early or premonitory sign or symptom of a disorder.
pseudocyesis A false belief of being pregnant that is associated with objective signs and
reported symptoms of pregnancy.
psychological distress A range of symptoms and experien ces of a person’s internal life
that are commonly held to be troubling, confusing, or out of the ordinary.
psychometric measures Standardized instruments such as scales, questionnaires, tests,
and assessments that are designed to measu re human knowledge, abilities, attitudes,
or personality traits.
psychomotor agitation Excessive motor activity associated with a feeling of inner tension.
The activity is usually nonproductive and repetitious and consists of behaviors such as pac-
ing, fidgeting, wringing of the hands, pu lling of clothes, and inability to sit still.