Dictionary

dry eyes See xerophthalmia.

dry mouth See xerostomia.

dry skin See xeroderma.

DSM-IV Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, the official source on definitions related to mental illness.

DT immunization A vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus. DT immunization does not protect from pertussis as the DTP and DTaP immunizations do. It is usually reserved for individuals who have had a significant adverse reaction to a DTP shot or who have a personal or family history of seizure disorder or brain disease. See also…

DTaP immunization Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular-pertussis immunization, a vaccine that, like DTP, protects against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus. DTaP is the same as DTP, except that it contains only acellular pertussis vaccine, which is thought to cause fewer of the minor reactions associated with immunization. Acellular pertussis vaccine is also probably less likely than regular pertussis…

DTP immunization Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) immunization, a vaccine that is given in a series of five shots at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years of age. Due to vaccination programs, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis have become less common than they were in the…

DTs See delirium tremens.

dual diagnosis A diagnosis of both a mental illness and a substance abuse disorder.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy See DMD.

duct A walled passageway, such as a lymph duct, that carries fluid from one place to another. Also known as a ductus.

duct, thoracic See thoracic duct.