Mental & Physical Health

health psychology

the study of how psychological, behavioral, and cultural factors contribute to physical health and illness

stress

the response if the body and mind to challenges or demands, characterized by physical, emotional, and mental reactions

stressors

events or conditions that trigger stress by challenging an individual’s ability to cope or adjust

eustress

positive stress that enhances motivation, performance, and emotional well-being

distress

negative stress that decreases motivation, impairs performance, and leads to emotional and physical problems

adverse childhood experiences

stressful or traumatic events in childhood that can have long lasting effects on health and well being throughout a person’s life

general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

three stage response to stress that includes alarm, resistance, and exhaustion, describing how the body reacts and adapts to stress

alarm reaction phase

the initial stage of GAS where the body reacts to a stressor with a “flight or fight” response, activating stress hormones and physiological changes

fight-flight-freeze response

a physiological reaction to perceived threats that prepares the body to fight, flee, or freeze, to enhance survival

resistance phase

the second stage of GAS where the body tries to adapt and cope with a stressor, maintaining heightened alertness and stress hormone levels

exhaustion phase

final stage of GAS where the body’s resources are depleted after prolonged stress, leading to decreased stress tolerance and potential health issues

tend and befriend theory

behavioral reaction to stress that involves nurturing activities to protect oneself and one’s offspring, seeking social support to reduce stress

problem focused coping

involves directly managing or solving the source of stress to reduce its impact

emotion focused coping

managing the emotional response to stress rather than changing the stressful situation itself

positive psychology

the scientific study of human flourishing to help individuals and communities to thrive

subjective well-being

self perceived happiness or satisfaction with lifere

resilience

the ability to adapt and recover quickly from difficulty or change, maintaining psychological well-being in the face of adversity

posttraumatic growth

positive psychological changes experienced as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances, leading to a higher level of personal or interpersonal functioning

positive emotions

feelings that foster enjoyment, interest, and contentment, and contribute to overall well-being and happiness

gratitude

the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself, enhancing overall well-being by fostering positive feelings and relationships

signature strengths & virtues

core characteristics that a person naturally possesses and expresses which contribute to fulfilling, authentic, and engaged living

wisdom

the ability to make sound decisions based on deep understanding and experiences, contributing to effective problem solving and interpersonal relationships

courage

the mental or moral strength to persevere and withstand fear or difficulty, enabling individuals to face challenges and act in accordance with their values, despite potential risks

humanity

the quality of being compassionate, empathetic, and supportive towards others, fostering positive interpersonal relationships and social well-being

justice

a commitment to fairness, equity and advocating for the rights of others, which helps to maintain healthy community and societal relationships

temperance

self regulation and control over excesses and impulses, promoting balance and moderation in personal behavior and relationships

transcendence

the ability to connect to the larger universe and finding meaning beyond oneself, often through appreciation of beauty, gratitude, hope, humor, and spirituality

abnormal psychology

the study of unusual patterns of behavior, emotion, and thoughts, which may not be understood as precipitating a mental disorder. it explores the

clinical psychology

the branch of psychology that assesses, diagnoses, treats, and prevents mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders,, utilizing various therapeutic methods & interventions to improve individuals' mental health and well-being

psychology student syndrome

psychology students studying abnormal behavior can also become convinced that they have some mental disorder

DSM-5-TR

comprehensive classification system used by mental health professionals to diagnose and categorize mental disorders, providing standardized criteria and descriptions for consistent use across clinical settings

International Classification of Mental Disorders (ICD)

global standard for reporting and categorizing diseases including mental and behavioral disorders, used by healthcare professionals to diagnose conditions and track health trends worldwide

deviation

significant departure from accepted social behaviors and cultural expectations, used as criterion to identify and diagnose abnormal behaviors and psychological disorders in clinical settings

distress

intense and prolonged emotional suffering that impairs an individual’s ability to function in daily life, often used as a key criterion for diagnosis

dysfunction

disruption in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning that significantly impairs an individual’s ability to perform normal daily activities

stigma

the negative stereotypes and social disapproval directed at individuals with mental disorders, often leading to discrimination and barriers to seeking or receiving mental health care

behavioral perspective

suggests that mental disorders come from maladaptive learned behaviors and associations, focusing on how inappropriate conditioning and reinforcement of behaviors contribute to psychological issues

biological perspective

mental disorders are caused by physiological and genetic factors, focusing on how brain function, neurochemistry, and genetics contribute to psychological conditions

psychodynamic perspective

all mental disorders stem from unresolved conflicts and impulses, often originating in childhood, that influence current behavior and emotional states

humanistic perspective

emphasizes that mental disorders arise when individuals’ innate potential for self fulfillment and personal growth is blocked, often due to failures in achieving self acceptance and meaningful personal goals

cognitive perspective

proposes that mental disorders are caused by maladaptive thought patterns, including dysfunctional beliefs, attitudes, and emotional responses, which negatively affect behavior and emotional well being

evolutionary perspective

suggests that mental disorders can arise from behaviors and mental processes that are maladaptive, reducing an individual’s chances of survival and reproduction in a given environment

sociocultural perspective

mental disorders stem from maladaptive social and cultural relationships and dynamics, emphasizing the influence of societal norms and interactions on mental health

eclectic approach

combining techniques and theories from multiple therapeutic orientations to tailor treatment to the unique needs of individual clients, enhancing flexibility and effectiveness in therapy

biopsychosocial model

psychosocial disorders result from a complex interaction of biological and sociocultural factors, emphasizing the comprehensive and interconnected nature of influences on mental health

diathesis stress model

psychological disorders arise from a predisposing genetic vulnerability (diathesis) combined with stressful environmental factors (stress) triggering the onset of mental health issues

specific phobia

anxiety disorder characterized by an intense and irrational fear of a specific object or situation, leading to significant distress and avoidance behavior that disrupts daily functioning

acrophobia

an intense and persistent fear of heights

arachnophobia

an intense and irrational fear of spiders

agoraphobia

intense fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, often leading to avoidance of public spaces or crowds, significantly impacting daily activities

panic disorder

recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, sudden episodes of fear or discomfort that peak within minutes - accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations and ongoing concern about having additional attacks and their consequences

attaque de nervios

episodes of intense emotional distress, dramatic expressions of emotion, such as screaming or crying, and sometimes uncontrollable physical symptoms like shaking or feeling suffocated

social anxiety disorder

significant and persistent fear of social situations where embarrassment or scrutiny may occur, leading to avoidance behaviors and severe anxiety about performing or interacting in social contexts

taijin kyofusho

predominantly observed in Japan, characterized by an intense fear of offending or embarrassing others through bodily functions or appearance, leading to significant social anxiety and avoidance behaviors

generalized anxiety disorder

persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of daily life, accompanied by physical symptoms such as recklessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, which are not tied to any specific cause or event

OCD

recurrent, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, typically aimed at reducing anxiety, but causing significant distress and interference in daily functioning

hoarding disorder

persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value, due to to a perceived need to save them, resulting in excessive accumulation that compromises the use of living areas and significantly impairs daily functioning

posttraumatic stress disorder

persistent and emotional stress following exposure to a traumatic event featuring symptoms such as flashbacks, avoidance of trauma reminders, heightened reactivity, and emotional numbness

major depressive disorder

pervasive and persistent low mood accompanied by low self esteem and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities, significantly impacting daily functioning

persistent depressive disorder

chronic, depressed mood lasting for at least two years, with symptoms that are severe but longer lasting than those of major depression, affecting daily functioning

bipolar disorders

characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression, with bipolar cycling involving shifts between these mood states that can vary in duration and intensity

bipolar 2 disorder

characterized by at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode without ever having a full manic episode, leading to significant distress or impairment

bipolar 1 disorder

characterized by at least one manic episode, which may be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes, causing significant impairment in daily functions

ADHD

characterized by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development, leading to difficulties in maintaining focus, controlling behavior, and staying organized

autism spectrum disorder

characterized by persistent challenges in social communication and interaction, along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, varying widely in severity and impact on daily functioning

anorexia nervosa

psychological disorder characterized by restricted food intake, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image, leading to significant weight loss and health complications

bulimia nervosa

characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain, causing significant physical and psychological stress

schizophrenia

psychological disorder characterized by persistent delusions, hallucinations, disorganized motor behavior, and negative symptoms, significantly impairing daily functioning and lasting for at least 6 months

delusions

false beliefs strongly held despite evidence of the contrary

hallucinations

false sensory experiences without external stimuli, most commonly involving hearing voices that others do not hear

disorganized thinking / speech

incoherent or nonsensical speech patterns such as jumping between unrelated topics or using words in appropriately, reflecting disordered thought processes

disorganized motor behavior

abnormal or erratic movements, such as excessive agitation and bizarre postures

flat affect

severe reduction in emotional expressiveness, where the individual shows little or no facial expression, voice tone, or emotional reaction

dopamine hypothesis

suggests that the disorder is linked to an imbalance of dopamine activity in the brain, with excessive dopamine activity contributing to symptoms such a as delusions and hallucinations

dissociative amnesia

involves an inability to recall important autobiographical info, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature

dissociative identity disorder

characterized by the presence of 2 or more distinct personality states or identities, each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the world, resulting in gaps in memory and disrupted sense of self

paranoid personality disorder

characterized by pervasive distrust and suspicion of others, interpreting their motives as malevolent, leading to significant interpersonal difficulties and isolation

schizoid personality disorder

characterized by pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression, leading to a preference for solitary activities and limited interest in forming close relationships

schizotypal personality disorder

characterized by acute discomfort in close relationships, cognitive or perceptual distortions, and eccentric behaviors, often leading to significant social and interpersonal difficulties

antisocial personality disorders

pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of the rights of others, often involving deceitful, manipulative, and unlawful behaviors and lack of remorse or these actions

histrionic personality disorders

characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior, including a need for approval and inappropriate seductiveness, often leading to difficulties in maintaining deep and meaningful relationships

narcissistic personality disorders

characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others, often resulting in exploitative behaviors

borderline personality disorders

characterized by instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions, along with impulsive behaviors and intense fear of abandonment, often leading to significant distress and difficulties in daily functioning

avoidant personality disorders

pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, leading to avoidance of social interaction and a reluctance to engage in new activities

dependent personality disorders

characterized by and excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clingy behavior, and fears of separation, resulting in difficulty making decisions without reassurance from others.

obsessive compulsive personality disorders

characterized by a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency, leading to significant stress or impairment in functioning

deinstitutionalization

the process of reducing the number of patients in psychiatric hospitals by transitioning them to community based mental health services

evidence based interventions

therapeutic approaches and treatments that are supported by scientific research and empirical evidence, ensuring their effectiveness and reliability in improving mental health outcomes

therapeutic alliance

the collaborative and trusting relationship between a therapist and client, which is crucial for effective therapy and positive treatment outcomes

nonmalficence

the ethical principle of “do no harm’ ensuring that therapists avoid actions or interventions that could cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm to their clients

fidelity

the ethical principle of maintaining trust, honesty, and commitment in the therapeutic relationship, ensuring reliability and integrity in professional conduct

integrity

the ethical principle of being honest, transparent, and consistent in their professional actions, ensuring adherence to moral and ethical standards in all aspects of their practice

respect for people’s rights and dignity

recognizing and honoring the inherent worth of all individuals, ensuring privacy, confidentiality, and self determination, and treating clients with respect and fairness

psychodynamic therapy

focus on uncovering unconscious conflicts and past experiences to understand current behavior and emotions, aiming to increase self awareness and insight into psychological issues

free association

the patient speaking freely about thoughts, feelings, and memories as they come to mind, helping to uncover unconscious conflicts and underlying issues

dream interpretation

analyzing the content of dreams to uncover unconscious thoughts and feelings, providing insights to unresolved conflicts and underlying psychological issues

person centered therapy

focuses on providing a supportive environment where clients can achieve self discovery and personal growth, emphasizing empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness from the therapist