Psychological Disorders & Therapies

Amygdala (in anxiety)

Brain region showing hyper-activation in anxiety disorders.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A pattern of inattention

Person-Centered Therapy

Emphasizes unconditional positive regard to promote personal growth.

Exposure Therapy

Systematic

Dopamine D2 Receptor (in Schizophrenia)

Increased activity of this receptor is associated with schizophrenia.

Negative Symptoms (of Schizophrenia)

Flat affect and social withdrawal are examples of these types of symptoms in schizophrenia.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Persistent

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

A mood disorder marked by persistent sadness

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Chronic

Positive Symptoms (of Schizophrenia)

Hallucinations and delusions are examples of these types of symptoms in schizophrenia.

Anxiolytics

Medications that enhance GABA activity to increase inhibition

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder characterized by distortions in thinking

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Re-experiencing

Biopsychosocial Model

A perspective that integrates biological

Risk Factors

Elements such as genetics

Cognitive Restructuring

Identifies and challenges maladaptive thoughts.

Antipsychotics

Medications that reduce dopamine activity

Medical Model

An approach that focuses on biological factors as the primary cause of disorders.

Operant Reinforcement (in anxiety)

Avoidance behaviors are strengthened by reducing feelings of unease.

Classical Conditioning (in anxiety)

When a neutral stimulus is paired with an anxiety-provoking event.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A range of conditions characterized by challenges with social communication and restricted

Vulnerability-Stress Model

A framework highlighting the interaction between predisposition and environmental stressors in the development of disorders.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Intense fear of social situations where one may be judged.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter implicated in anxiety disorders.

Binge-Eating Disorder

Characterized by episodes of eating large amounts of food with loss of control

Specific Phobias

Marked fear of a particular object or situation.

Anorexia Nervosa

Characterized by restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight.

Bipolar I Disorder

Characterized by at least one manic episode (lasting at least 7 days) or hospitalization.

Psychological Disorder

A pattern of thoughts

Illness Anxiety Disorder

Preoccupation with having a serious illness despite medical reassurance.

Antidepressants

Medications that increase serotonin and/or norepinephrine

Bulimia Nervosa

Characterized by recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Characterized by instability in relationships

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Characterized by obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors).

Panic Disorder

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks with concern about future attacks.

Psychoanalysis

Explores unconscious conflicts through techniques like free association.

Protective Factors

Elements like social support or coping skills that decrease the likelihood of developing a disorder.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Characterized by disregard for others and violation of social norms.

Bipolar II Disorder

Features one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Excessive focus on physical symptoms

Social-Ecological Model

An approach that situates disorders within broader societal and cultural contexts.

Dopamine (in mood disorders)

This neurotransmitter shows dysregulation during mania.