ap psych unit 5

Psychological Disorder

A pattern of behavior causing stress or dysfunction in multiple areas of life.

DSM-V

The manual that defines psychological disorders but does not discuss treatment.

Neurosis

A functional mental illness involving stress or altered mood but no loss of contact with reality.

Psychosis

A condition characterized by loss of contact with reality and inability to function in everyday life.

Anxiety

A psychological state characterized by heart rate increase, sweating, rapid breathing, and a sense of dread.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Excessive long-lasting anxiety with no clear cause or source.

Panic Disorder

Recurring terrifying panic attacks that can last for years.

Phobias

Intense and irrational fear of an object or situation that does not justify the reaction.

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

A pattern of adverse and disruptive reactions following a traumatic event for an extended period.

OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

A condition characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

A preoccupation with an imagined or exaggerated defect in physical appearance.

Major Depression

A disorder where a person feels sad, overwhelmed, and hopeless for weeks or months.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

A chronic form of depression lasting for at least two years.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by alternating extremes of depression and mania.

Bipolar I Disorder

Characterized by episodes of mania and deep depression.

Bipolar II Disorder

Characterized primarily by major depression and hypomania.

Cyclothymic Disorder

A mood disorder with less severe mood swings than bipolar disorder.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Psychological problems presenting as physical symptoms without a physical cause.

Factitious Disorder

A condition where a person deceives others by appearing sick or purposely getting sick.

Conversion Disorder

A condition where a person displays physical symptoms like blindness or paralysis without a physical cause.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

A range of developmental disorders affecting communication and social interaction.

Dissociative Amnesia

A dissociative disorder marked by sudden loss of memory.

Dissociative Fugue

Loss of memory combined with the assumption of a new identity in a new location.

Depersonalization

Experiencing unreality or detachment from oneself.

Derealization

Experiencing unreality or detachment concerning one's surroundings.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

A condition in which a person has more than one identity, often linked to trauma.

Personality Disorders

Inflexible and enduring behavior patterns that impair social functioning.

Cluster A Personality Disorders

Characterized by odd or eccentric behavior, including paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal disorders.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

A personality disorder marked by guiltlessness, law-breaking, and exploitation of others.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Characterized by instability in mood and self-image, often leading to intense emotional responses.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

A disorder marked by self-importance, entitlement, and deficits in empathy.

Cluster C Personality Disorders

Characterized by anxiety and fear, including avoidant and dependent personality disorders.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

The body's three-stage response to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Stress

A psychological and physical response that increases susceptibility to disorders.

Problem-Focused Coping

A strategy that views stress as a problem that can be solved.

Emotion-Focused Coping

A strategy that addresses emotional responses to stressors.

Psychotherapy

A treatment method using psychological principles to help individuals with mental disorders.

Therapeutic Alliance

The collaborative relationship between therapist and client that promotes healing.

Positive Psychology

The study of what makes life worth living and how individuals can thrive.

Post-Traumatic Growth

The beneficial growth that can occur after experiencing trauma.

Cognitive Restructuring

A therapeutic technique used to identify and change distorted thoughts and beliefs.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A combined approach that addresses cognitive distortions and behavioral issues.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

A form of therapy that focuses on balancing acceptance and change.

Biofeedback

A technique that teaches individuals to control physiological processes by using electronic monitoring.

Antidepressants

Medications that elevate mood by affecting neurotransmitter levels, particularly serotonin.

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

A class of antidepressants that are less dangerous in overdose and produce fewer side effects.

Anti-Anxiety Drugs

Medications that reduce anxiety and promote calmness.

Aversive Conditioning

A behavior therapy technique that pairs an unpleasant stimulus with an unwanted behavior.

Client-Centered Therapy

A therapeutic approach that emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and unconditional positive regard for the client.

Systematic Desensitization

A technique to help clients gradually confront their fears while remaining relaxed.

Exposure Therapies

Therapies involving systematic confrontation with feared stimuli to weaken anxiety responses.

Behavioral Therapies

Therapeutic methods focused on changing maladaptive behaviors through learning new responses.

Classic Psychoanalysis

A therapeutic method focused on resolving unconscious conflicts by gaining insight into them.

Free Association

A technique in psychoanalysis where patients express their thoughts without censorship.

Dream Interpretation

Analyzing dreams to reveal unconscious desires and conflicts.

Transference

The process where clients project feelings from past relationships onto the therapist.