AP Psych Chapter 5 Vocab: Physical and Mental Health

Psychological disorder

A syndrome marked by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior

Medical model

The concept that diseases, in this case psychological disorders, have physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and in most cases, cured, often through treatment in a hospital

DSM-5

The American Psychotic Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders 5th Edition; a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders; labels criticized as arbitrary and overtly broad

Diathesis Stress Model

Model that proposes that mental disorders result from a combination of a pre-existing vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental stressors. A high diathesis requires less stress to trigger a disorder, while low vulnerability requires high stress, explaining why similar stressors affect people differently.

Comordibility

the presence of two or more distinct mental or physical health disorders simultaneously in one individual. It indicates that conditions, such as depression and anxiety or substance abuse and PTSD, co-occur and can interact to make diagnosis and treatment more complex

Anxiety disorder

Psychological disorders characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety

Generalized anxiety disorders

Disorder in which a person is unexplainably and continually tense and uneasy; involves constant autonomic nervous system arousal, and chronic worrying about everyday life events

Panic disorder

Disorder in which person experiences sudden, unpredictable episodes of intense dread, involving experiences of terror and physical stress. It involves persistent fear of future attacks, leading to lifestyle changes, avoidance behaviors, and "fear of fear".

Phobia

Disorder in which someone is intensely or irrationally afraid of a specific object/situatio (which often pose little threat), and consequently avoids it. Often rooted in traumatic events, learned behavior, or familial tendencies.

Social anxiety disorder

a mental health condition characterized by intense, persistent, and irrational fear of being judged, scrutinized, or humiliated in social or performance situations. It causes significant distress and avoidance behavior, often affecting daily life for six months or more.

Agoraphobia

a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable if panic-like symptoms occur. It commonly involves fear of open spaces, public transportation, crowds, or being outside the home alone, often leading to severe avoidance behaviors, such as becoming housebound

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

a chronic disorder characterized by persistent, unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that cause significant anxiety, driving individuals to perform repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) to reduce that distress.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A disorder characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, numbness of feeling, and/or insomnia that lingers for 4+ weeks after a traumatic experience

Posttraumatic growth

positive psychological change experienced as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances or trauma. It represents a transformation beyond mere resilience, where individuals find new meaning, increased personal strength, better relationships, and deeper life appreciation following adversity.

Mood disorder

Psychological disorders characterized by severe, persistent emotional extremes that impair daily functioning. Key types include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.

Major depressive disorder

A mood disorder in which person experiences, in the absence of drugs or another medical condition, 2 or more weeks with 5+ symptoms; common symptoms include poor regulation of sleep and appetite, low energy, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating/making decisions, constantly feeling sadness and/or hopelessness

Mania

A mood disorder characterized by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic, and euphoric state. It involves abnormally elevated arousal, energy levels, and persistent irritability, often lasting at least one week. People often do not sleep for long periods of time, and are extremely talkative as well. Serves as a defining characteristic for bipolar I disorder.

Bipolar disorder

a mood disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, alternating between emotional highs (mania/hypomania) and severe lows (depression). These shifts affect energy, activity levels, and functioning, often requiring lifelong treatment with medication like lithium and psychotherapy

Rumination

Compulsive fretting; overthinking about our problems and their causes

Bipolar I

a severe mood disorder characterized by at least one full manic episode, often followed by major depressive episodes. It involves extreme fluctuations in mood, energy, and activity, requiring either hospitalization or causing significant impairment in social or occupational functioning.

Bipolar II

a mood disorder defined by at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, without full-blown manic episodes. It is characterized by severe depression alternating with less intense, high-energy moods (hypomania/mild mania) that do not typically require hospitalization

Stable explanatory style

A cognitive habit where an individual attributes negative events to permanent, lasting causes rather than temporary ones. “I never win”

Internal explanatory style

A cognitive habit where individuals attribute the causes of events to themselves ("it's my fault") rather than external forces.

Global explanatory style

a cognitive habit where individuals interpret negative events as affecting all areas of their life, believing a single failure implies widespread incompetence (e.g., "I failed this test, so I'm a failure at life").

Schizophrenia

A psychological disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, diminished/inappropriate emotional expression (e.g. flat affect), catatonia (remaining motionless for hours) —> disorder often linked with dopamine receptor overactivity

Psychosis

A psychological disorder in which a person loses contact with reality, experiencing irrational ideas and distorted perceptions

Delusion

Fixed, false beliefs firmly held despite clear, contradictory evidence. Common in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, these irrational thoughts are not influenced by reality or social context. They differ from hallucinations (sensory experiences) and represent profound misinterpretations of reality.

Hallucination

False sensory experience, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

Chronic schizophrenia

a severe, long-term mental health disorder characterized by persistent psychotic, negative, and cognitive symptoms that impair daily functioning; exhibits negative symptoms (blunted affect, avolition, anhedonia)

Acute schizophrenia

a severe, temporary period characterized by intense psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech. This phase often requires immediate intervention, including antipsychotic medication and, in some cases, hospitalization; exhibits positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech and thinking)

Epigenetics

The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence, often influenced by environmental factors. These, often reversible, modifications—such as DNA methylation or histone modification—turn genes on or off, determining which proteins are produced by cells

Hoarding disorder

A mental health condition characterized by persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value, leading to severe clutter that compromises living spaces. It stems from emotional attachment to items, fear of losing them, and perceived need for future use.

Trauma and Stress Related Disorders

A category of mental health disorders that includes conditions resulting from exposure to traumatic or stressful events, affecting an individual's emotional and psychological well-being.

Psychotic disorder

A mental health disorder that affects the mind, leading to a disconnection from reality, which may include hallucinations, delusions, and impaired functioning.

Dissociative identity disorder

a complex mental health condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states (alters) that control behavior, accompanied by memory gaps (amnesia). It is caused by severe, repetitive childhood trauma, acting as a coping mechanism. Symptoms include identity disruption, memory loss, and depersonalization.

Dissociative amnesia

A condition characterized by the inability to recall important personal information, often related to trauma or stress, which is not explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

Dissociative disorders

A group of mental disorders characterized by a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory, often as a response to trauma.

Personality disorder

A group of mental disorders characterized by enduring maladaptive patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience that deviate markedly from cultural expectations and cause significant impairment or distress.

Antisocial personality disorder

Characterized by a pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others, often manifesting as deceitfulness, impulsivity, irritability, and lack of remorse/conscience

Feeding and Eating Disorder

A category of mental health conditions that involve persistent behaviors related to eating, which negatively impact physical health, emotions, and quality of life.

Anorexia Nervosa

A serious eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading to self-imposed starvation and excessive weight loss.

Bulimia Nervosa

A serious eating disorder characterized by recurring episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory (purging) behaviors such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain.

Neurodevelopmental disorder

A group of conditions that cause abnormalities in the development of the nervous system, affecting cognitive, social, and emotional functioning, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder

Neurodevelopmental disorder defined by significant deficiencies in communication and social interaction, alongside rigidly fixated interests and repetitive behaviors, appearing in early childhood. It is a spectrum disorder, meaning it includes varying severity levels, ranging from mild symptoms to significant needs for support.

ADHD

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development.

Psychotherapy

a structured, confidential interaction between a trained therapist and a client aimed at overcoming psychological difficulties, reducing suffering, or fostering personal growth. It involves talk therapy techniques based on psychological theories rather than biological interventions

Biomedical therapy

Treatment that uses medication or medical procedures to change brain function and treat psychological disorders.

Ex: ECT, prescribed drugs, TMS, psychosurgery

Psychoanalysis

Sigmund Freud’s theory of personality and therapeutic technique that attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives, conflicts, and childhood traumas. It focuses on exploring the unconscious mind, using techniques like free association and dream analysis to treat psychological disorders by bringing repressed conflicts into conscious awareness.

Resistance

In psychoanalysis, phenomenon that occurs when a patient avoids talking about painful or troubling topics, possibly revealing hidden conflicts.

Interpretation

In psychoanalysis, the therapist's explanation of the patient’s thoughts or behaviors to uncover deeper meanings.

Transference

In psychoanalysis, a phenomenon that occurs when a patient transfers feelings about someone else (like a parent) onto the therapist.

Insight therapies

A variety of therapies that aim to improve psychological functioning by increasing a person’s awareness of underlying motives and defenses

ex: psychoanalysis (dream analysis), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy

Client-centered therapy

A humanistic therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, in which the therapist uses techniques such as active listening within a genuine, accepting (nonjudgemental), empathetic environment to facilitate clients’ growth

Active listening

Listening carefully, restating, and clarifying what the client says to show understanding and empathy; helps a client understand themselves more clearly and feel validation

Unconditional positive regard

Accepting and valuing someone without judgment, no matter what they say or do

Behavior therapy

A type of psychotherapy that applies learning principles (classical/operant conditioning) to eliminate unwanted behaviors and reinforce positive ones. It focuses on changing specific, observable actions rather than exploring unconscious thoughts. Key techniques include systematic desensitization, exposure therapies, aversion conditioning, and token economies

Counterconditioning

a behavioral therapy technique that uses classical conditioning to replace an unwanted response (such as fear or addiction) with a new, desired response by pairing a stimulus with a new, opposite-valence stimulus

Exposure therapies

a behavioral treatment technique used to treat phobias, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. It involves safely and gradually exposing patients to feared objects, situations, or memories to reduce avoidance behaviors.

Systematic desensitization

A type of exposure therapy that associates a pleasant, relaxed state with gradually increasing anxiety-triggering stimuli. Commonly used to treat phobias and anxiety. It uses counterconditioning to replace a fear response with a relaxation response through a structured, step-by-step hierarchy.

VR exposure therapy

Anxiety treatment that progressively and safely exposes people to electronic simulations of their greatest fears

Aversive conditioning

A type of counterconditioning that pairs unwanted behavior with something unpleasant to reduce that behavior. It is the reverse of systematic desensitization as it seeks to condition an aversion to something a person should avoid; replaces initial feeling with a negative feeling toward unwanted behavior.

Token economy

An operant conditioning procedure in which people earn a token (physical award) for exhibiting a desired behavior and can later exchange the tokens for various privileges or treats

Cognitive therapy

a form of psychotherapy that focuses on changing dysfunctional, irrational, or negative thought patterns to improve emotions and behaviors. Based on the premise that thoughts mediate between events and emotional reactions, it aims to restructure these cognitive distortions to treat issues like depression, anxiety, and phobias

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

A confrontational cognitive therapy that vigorously challenges people’s illogical, self-defeating attitudes and assumptions

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

a short-term, action-oriented, and structured psychotherapy that integrates cognitive and behavioral techniques to treat mental health issues. It focuses on modifying dysfunctional thinking/self-defeating thoughts (cognition) and maladaptive behaviors (behavior) to alleviate psychological distress.

Group therapy

A form of psychotherapy where one or more therapists treat a small group of clients simultaneously, allowing individuals with similar issues (e.g., anxiety, addiction, grief) to share experiences, gain support, and develop social skills in a structured setting. Meant to reduce feelings of loneliness among clients

Family therapy

Therapy that treats the family as a system. Views an individual’s unwanted behaviors as influenced by, or directed at, other family members. Therapists work with multiple family members to heal relationships and mobilize family resources.

Psychopharmacology

The study of how drugs (both legal medications and illicit substances) affect mood, sensation, thinking, and behavior. Serves as a key component for medical therapy.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

A biomedical therapy for severely depressed patients in which a brief electric current is sent through the brain of a patient under anesthesia to induce a brief seizure; has been proven to be effective

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

A non-invasive, painless procedure that uses pulses of magnetic energy applied to the scalp to stimulate or inhibit specific neurons in the brain —> produces no seizures, memory loss, or other serious side effects

Psychosurgery

Surgery that removes or destroys brain tissue in an effort to change behavior

Lobotomy

a historical psychosurgery that severed nerve connections between the prefrontal cortex and the brain's emotional centers. It was used to treat severe mental illness but caused personality changes, apathy, and cognitive decline

General adaptation syndrome

A three-stage stress response: alarm (sympathetic nervous system arousal), resistance (bodily preparation for fight or flight/energy expenditure), and exhaustion (body’s energy reserves run out).

Psychoneuroimmunology

The study of how psychological, neural, and endocrine processes affect the immune system and health.

Psychodynamic therapy

a depth-psychology approach focused on uncovering unconscious patterns, resolving past conflicts, and understanding how early life experiences shape current behavior. It aims for long-term personality change and symptom relief through open-ended dialogue, dream analysis, and examining the therapist-client relationship (transference).

Eclectic approach

a flexible, pragmatic therapeutic strategy that integrates techniques from multiple psychological perspectives (e.g., behavioral, cognitive, psychodynamic) to tailor treatment to a client's specific needs rather than relying on one type

Humanistic therapy

a "third-force" therapeutic approach focusing on conscious experience, personal growth (taking responsibility for feelings + actions), and self-actualization, prioritizing present conscious feelings over unconscious motives

ex: client-centered therapy