Chapter 14

Psychological disorders

Conditions that affect a person's thinking, feeling, or behavior, leading to distress and impairment in functioning.

Medical Model

A framework for understanding mental illness that emphasizes biological factors and seeks objective diagnosis and treatment, often guided by the DSM-V.

Comorbidity

The occurrence of two or more disorders in a single individual.

Diathesis-Stress Model

A model that posits that disorders develop due to a combination of predispositional vulnerability (diathesis) and stressful experiences.

Rosenhan Study (1973)

A study demonstrating that psychiatric diagnoses can lead to stigma and dehumanization.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A type of anxiety disorder characterized by chronic and exaggerated worry.

Specific Phobia

An intense fear of a particular object or situation.

Social Phobia

Fear of social situations.

Preparedness Theory

The idea that humans have a biological predisposition to fear specific stimuli.

Panic Disorder

A type of anxiety disorder featuring recurrent panic attacks, often accompanied by agoraphobia.

Agoraphobia

Fear of places where escape may be difficult.

Claustrophobia

An intense fear of enclosed spaces.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A mental disorder characterized by unwanted obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviors.

Major Depression

Characterized by persistent sadness and lack of interest.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Depression that is tied to seasonal changes, often worsening in winter.

Helplessness Theory

A theory explaining depression as learned helplessness from a perceived lack of control.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder featuring symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech.

Dopamine Hypothesis

A theory suggesting that overactivity of dopamine contributes to the development of schizophrenia.

Developmental Disorders

Disorders such as conduct disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and ADHD that affect behavior, social interaction, and attention.

Personality Disorders

Enduring patterns of behavior and inner experience that deviate from cultural norms and can lead to distress or impairment.