nocebo
Harmful inert treatment
A nocebo is a harmless substance or treatment that causes negative effects because the recipient expects harm.
The opposite of placebo: where placebos produce benefits through positive expectation, nocebos produce symptoms through negative expectation.
Patients who read the side effects list experienced more of them—a classic nocebo effect.
Belief about future outcomes
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- psychosomaticMind-induced bodily illness
somatization · self-fulfilling · priming · attribution · hypervigilance · catastrophizing · rumination · informed consent
Persistent apprehensive distress
- fearEmotional response to threat
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- pessimismExpecting unfavorable outcomes
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
worry · stress · doubt · negativity · hypochondria · health anxiety · distress · vulnerability
Harmful or opposed
- side-effectsSecondary, unintended outcomes
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
- headacheCranial pain
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
pain · dizziness · malaise · discomfort · worsening · aggravation · insomnia · palpitations
Permission given with understanding
- clinical trialsControlled health research experiments
- contraindicationReason to avoid treatment
- package insertMedication's official documentation
- patient educationInstructing those receiving care
discontinuation · therapeutic relationship · communication · ethics
Tendency to expect good
- hopeDesire for good outcomes
- trustConfidence in another
- reassuranceWords meant to calm
expectation
Belief about future outcomes
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- anticipationState of awaiting something
psychosomatic · somatization · self-fulfilling · priming · attribution · hypervigilance · catastrophizing · rumination · informed consent · disclosure
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- fearEmotional response to threat
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- pessimismExpecting unfavorable outcomes
apprehension · worry · stress · doubt · negativity · hypochondria · health anxiety · distress · vulnerability · neuroticism
adverse
Harmful or opposed
- side-effectsSecondary, unintended outcomes
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
- headacheCranial pain
fatigue · pain · dizziness · malaise · discomfort · worsening · aggravation · insomnia · palpitations · gastrointestinal
informed consent
Permission given with understanding
- clinical trialsControlled health research experiments
- contraindicationReason to avoid treatment
- package insertMedication's official documentation
patient education · discontinuation · therapeutic relationship · communication · ethics
optimism
Tendency to expect good
- hopeDesire for good outcomes
- trustConfidence in another
- reassuranceWords meant to calm
noceboplacebo
Inactive therapeutic substitute
placebo effect · cure · faith healing · remedy · healing
- nocebo effectNegative outcomes from negative expectations