Mental and Physical Health Vocab

AP Psych Unit 5

Stress

a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances

Eustress Stressors

a positive reaction to stress that generates within us a desire to achieve and overcome a challenge

Distress Stressors

 life events that can create a negative reaction in our physical, mental, and emotional well-being

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

a range of negative and traumatic experiences that occur during childhood, such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

the body's three-stage response to stress, proposed by Hans Selye. the stages include alarm reaction, resistance, and exhaustion

Tend-and-Befriend Theory

suggests humans respond to stress by nurturing others and seeking social support

Positive Psychology

focuses on factors that contribute to individual and societal thriving

APA

a professional organization that represents psychologists in the United States. It sets ethical standards and guidelines for research, therapy, and other practices in the field of psychology

DSM of Mental Disorders

a handbook used by healthcare professionals as the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders

ICD

a comprehensive system used to classify and code various medical conditions, including psychological disorders

Eclectic Approach

integrating several therapeutic strategies and techniques based on what will be most beneficial for the client

Biopsychosocial Model

approach that considers the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding and explaining human behavior and health

Diathesis-stress Model

suggests that the development of psychological disorders is influenced by both a genetic predisposition and environmental stressors

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

a group of conditions characterized by impairments in brain function that affect an individual's cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral development

Schizophrenia

a severe mental disorder characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self and behavior

Depressive Disorders

persistent feelings of sadness and worthlessness and a lack of desire to engage in formerly pleasurable activities

Bipolar Disorders

alternates between episodes of mania and depression

Anxiety Disorders

 excessive worry about numerous aspects of life

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

recurring, unwanted thoughts that lead to repetitive behaviors

Dissociative Disorders

experience disruptions in memory, identity, consciousness, or perception of reality

Trauma and Stressor-related Disorders

emotional and behavioral problems that may result from childhood traumatic and stressful experiences

Personality Disorders

enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that deviate from societal expectations

Psychotherapy

general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider

Psychotropic Medication Therapy

drugs that are prescribed to treat mental health disorders, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers

Nonmaleficence

the ethical principle that requires healthcare providers to do no harm to their patients and to prevent harm from occurring

Fidelity

being accountable and trustworthy in professional relationships

Systematic Desensitization

type of behavioral therapy used to help effectively overcome phobias and other anxiety disorders. It involves a patient learning relaxation skills and gradually being exposed to the situation causing anxiety

Biofeedback

method that uses electronic monitoring devices to provide individuals with information about their physiological responses (such as heart rate or muscle tension) so they can learn how to control these functions for stress reduction

Person-Centered Therapy

focuses on creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment for clients, where the therapist provides empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness

Psychoactive Medications

substances that can alter perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior by changing the brain's neurochemistry

Antipsychotic Medications

medications that are used to treat symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions. they work by blocking certain neurotransmitters in the brain

Dyskinesia

involuntary muscle movements

Psychosurgery

a type of brain surgery used to treat mental disorders. it involves removing or destroying parts of the brain in an attempt to change a person's behavior or ease severe mental symptoms

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in specific areas of the brain

Lobotomy

a surgical procedure that was once used to treat mental illness, in which the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the front part of the brain, are severed