Glossary

Behavioural interventions are designed to encourage appropriate behaviour (such as getting dressed or talking to other people) and to discourage inappropriate behaviour (such as self harm or aggression towards others).

Behavioural phenotype is a characteristic pattern of motor, cognitive, linguistic and social abnormalities which is consistently associated with a biological disorder.

Behaviours of concern are any behaviours which are likely to cause significant harm to the individual or to his or her carers.

Belivon is a brand name for risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic.

Benzodiazepines are a form of anxiolytic drug, used to treat feelings of anxiety or nervousness caused by stress or psychological problems.

Benzatropine is an anticholinergic drug used to reduce the side effects of antipsychotic treatment, such as pseudoparkinsonism and dystonia.

Berberine is an alkaloid found in some plants which is sometimes used as an antifungal and antibiotic supplement.

Beta blockers is another term for β-adrenergic-antagonists, a type of drug called adrenergic antagonists.

Beta-alanyl-L-histidine is another term for carnosine, which is a naturally occurring dipeptide i.e. molecule consisting of two amino acids, found in the human body.

Beta-methyl-6-chloromelatonin is another term for melatonin, the hormone which regulates our biological clock.

Bio cranial therapy is another name for craniosacral therapy, an intervention which uses very light touching to balance the craniosacral system in the body.

Biochemic remedies is another name for cell salts, a form of homeopathy in which tiny amounts of minerals, usually in the form of tablets, are taken.

Bioenergetic sensitivity and enzyme therapy is a treatment which incorporates energetic medicine, enzyme therapy and complete food and environmental allergy elimination.

Biofeedback is the general term for any therapeutic intervention that uses medical equipment to monitor a body function that is otherwise outside of our awareness.

Biologically-based interventions use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins.

Biology is the science of life and of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution.

Biomedical is a very loose term that means different things to different people. In practice, most people use the term to refer to a group of interventions which are designed to stop, or at least reduce, the effect of biomedical problems (such as gastrointestinal abnormalities, immune dysfunctions, detoxification abnormalities, and/or nutritional deficiencies or imbalances).

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a condition that affects your moods, which can swing from one extreme to another.

The bladder is the organ in which urine is stored before it is discharged from the body.

Blinding is the process of preventing those involved in a trial from knowing to which comparison group a particular participant belongs.