MIDTERM EXAMS

Somatoform Disorders

A category of mental disorders characterized by physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition.

Dissociative Disorder

Disorders characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the environment.

Hypochondriasis

Now referred to as Illness Anxiety Disorder, it involves excessive worry about having a serious illness despite minimal or no symptoms.

Somatization Disorder

A disorder involving a history of multiple physical symptoms across different body systems without a medical explanation.

Pain Disorder

Pain that is the primary complaint and has psychological factors influencing its onset or exacerbation.

Conversion Disorder

Characterized by neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by medical conditions and are psychologically driven.

Malingering

The intentional production or feigning of physical or psychological symptoms for external incentives.

Factitious Disorder

The deliberate production or exaggeration of symptoms for the purpose of assuming a sick role without external incentives.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

A condition marked by obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in appearance that is either not observable or appears slight to others.

Derealization

A dissociative symptom in which the external world is perceived as unreal or distorted.

Depersonalization Disorder

A dissociative condition where individuals feel detached from their own body or thoughts.

Dissociative Amnesia

Memory loss that is more extensive than ordinary forgetfulness and is not explained by a medical condition.

Generalized Amnesia

A complete loss of memory about oneself and one’s past, often including personal history.

Localized or Selective Amnesia

The inability to recall specific events or information, usually related to trauma.

Dissociative Fugue

A subtype of dissociative amnesia characterized by sudden, unplanned travel away from home or customary work locations.

Dissociative Trance Disorder (DTD)

A condition where an individual experiences an altered state of consciousness in which they have limited awareness of their surroundings.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

A serious disorder in which two or more distinct identities or personality states are present in an individual.

Alters

The distinct identities or personality states in Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Mood Disorders

A category of disorders that primarily affect a person's emotional state.

Major Depressive Episode

A period of two weeks or longer where a person experiences a depressed mood or loss of interest in activities.

Mania

A state of abnormally elevated or irritated mood, arousal, and energy levels.

Hypomanic Episode

A less severe form of mania lasting at least four days.

Mixed Manic Episode or Dysphoric Manic Episode

Episodes marked by the traits of both manic and depressive episodes occurring together.

Major Depressive Disorder, Single or Recurrent Episode

A mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest.

Dysthymic Disorder

A chronic form of depression characterized by a low mood lasting for at least two years.

Double Depression

The occurrence of a major depressive episode on top of persistent depressive disorder.

Hallucinations

Sensory experiences that appear real but are created by the mind.

Delusions

Strongly held false beliefs that are resistant to reasoning or confrontation with actual facts.

Catalepsy

A condition characterized by rigidity and loss of voluntary movements.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, usually in winter.

Pathological or Impacted Grief Reaction

An abnormal or prolonged grieving process in response to a significant loss.

Bipolar II Disorder

A mood disorder defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes.

Bipolar I Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by the occurrence of one or more manic episodes, usually with depressive episodes.

Cyclothymic Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms.

Neurohormones

Hormones that affect mood and behavior by interacting with the nervous system.

Learned Helplessness Theory of Depression

A cognitive theory asserting that depression results from perceived lack of control over outcomes.

Depressive Cognitive Triad

A framework describing the negative thought patterns common in depression.

Mood-Stabilizing Drug

Medications used to treat mood disorders, particularly for stabilizing mood swings in bipolar disorder.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A treatment for severe depression involving electrical stimulation of the brain.

Cognitive Therapy

A type of psychotherapy focused on changing dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

A therapeutic approach focusing on improving interpersonal relationships and social functioning.

Maintenance Treatment

Continued treatment aimed at preventing the relapse of a mental health condition.

Suicidal Ideation

Thoughts about suicide, including the consideration of or planning for suicide.

Suicidal Plans

Specific plans or intentions individuals have regarding how to carry out a suicide.

Suicidal Attempts

Efforts made by a person to end their life.

Psychological Autopsy

An investigative procedure that seeks to determine the mental state of a deceased person before death.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging behaviors to prevent weight gain.

Binge

Eating an excessive amount of food in a short period while feeling a lack of control over eating.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.

Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)

A condition involving recurrent episodes of binge eating without purging.

Obesity

A medical condition characterized by excessive body fat that increases the risk of health issues.

Purging Techniques

Methods used to prevent weight gain after binge eating, including vomiting or laxatives.

Night Eating Syndrome

A condition where individuals consume excessive amounts of food during the night.

Bariatric Surgery

Surgical procedures designed to help with weight loss by altering the digestive system.

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep

A sleep phase characterized by rapid movements of the eyes and vivid dreams.

Dyssomnias

Disorders characterized by chronic difficulties in sleeping, including insomnia and sleep apnea.

Parasomnias

Abnormal behaviors or experiences during sleep, such as sleepwalking or night terrors.

Polysomnographic (PSG) Evaluation

A comprehensive test used to diagnose sleep disorders by recording brain waves and other functions.

Actigraph

A device used to monitor and assess sleep patterns by recording movement.

Sleep Efficiency (SE)

The ratio of total sleep time to the total time spent in bed, expressed as a percentage.

Microsleeps

Brief episodes of sleep that occur when a person is awake, often lasting a few seconds.

Primary Insomnia

Difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep not attributable to other disorders.

Rebound Insomnia

The worsening of sleep difficulties after discontinuing sleep medications.

Hypersomnia

Excessive sleepiness during the day despite getting adequate or more sleep at night.

Sleep Apnea

A disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep.

Narcolepsy

A chronic sleep disorder that causes overwhelming daytime drowsiness.

Breathing-Related Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders characterized by sleep disruption due to breathing irregularities.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

Disorders that disrupt the natural 24-hour sleep-wake cycle.

Nightmares

Frightening dreams that can lead to awakening and distress.

Sleep Terrors

Episodes of screaming and intense fear while still asleep, often accompanied by sleepwalking.

Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)

A disorder characterized by walking or performing complex behaviors while asleep.

Behavioral Medicine

A field that integrates behavioral, psychosocial, and biomedical science to treat medical conditions.

Health Psychology

The study of psychological factors that affect health and illness.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A three-stage response the body goes through when faced with stress.

Stress

A psychological and physical response to perceived demands or threats.

Self-Efficacy

An individual’s belief in their own ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish tasks.

Immune System

The body's defense system against infections and diseases.

Antigens

Substances that trigger an immune response, often found on the surface of pathogens.

Autoimmune Disease

A condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

An autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation of joint tissues.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

The study of the interaction between psychological processes, the nervous system, and the immune system.

AIDS-related Complex (ARC)

Historically describes a set of symptoms that can occur in individuals infected with HIV who do not have AIDS.

Cancer

A group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.

Psychoncology

A field focusing on the psychological aspects of cancer care and treatment.

Cardiovascular Disease

A broad term covering various heart and blood vessel-related diseases.

Stroke/Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)

A medical emergency involving the interruption of blood supply to the brain.

Hypertension

A chronic medical condition characterized by elevated blood pressure.

Essential Hypertension

High blood pressure with no identifiable cause, also referred to as primary hypertension.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

A condition caused by the build-up of plaque in the coronary arteries.

Type A Behavior Pattern

A personality profile characterized by high levels of competitiveness, urgency, and hostility.

Type B Behavior Pattern

A personality profile characterized by a relaxed, non-competitive, and easy-going nature.

Acute Pain

A type of pain that arises quickly and is sharp in quality, typically a response to injury or illness.

Chronic Pain

Pain that lasts for an extended period, often longer than three months.

Endogenous Opioids

Naturally occurring peptides in the body that help relieve pain.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

A complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue not improved by rest.

Biofeedback

A technique that teaches individuals to control physiological processes by providing real-time data.

Relaxation Response

A state of reduced anxiety and stress identified through specific relaxation techniques.