AP Psychology Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health Vocabulary

stress

the process by which we perceive and respond to certain events that we determine are threatening or challenging

eustress

short-term (positive) stress that motivates and focuses energy

distress

(negative) stress that exceeds an individual's ability to cope and disrupts daily functioning

general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

how the body responds to prolonged stress

alarm (fight-flight-freeze response)

initial, immediate reaction to stressor

resistance

tries to adapt to the ongoing stressor

exhaustion

burnout, fatigue, and increased vulnerability to illness

tend-and-befriend theory

under stress, people (especially women) may nurture themselves and others (tend) and bond and seek support from others (befriend)

problem-focused coping

coming up with solutions - planning, seeking help, and taking action

emotion-focused coping

manages emotional stress such as meditation, talking, and distraction, rather than addressing the problem

positive psychology

the study of what enables individuals to thrive

resilience

the personal strength and capacity to adapt and bounce back from adversity

subjective well-being

an individual's personal evaluation and experience of their own happiness and positive emotions

signature strengths

an individual's most prominent, authentic, and energizing character traits (wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, transcendence)

posttraumatic growth

referring to positive psychological changes, increased personal strength, and appreciation for life that individuals experience as a result of challenging, traumatic events

psychological disorders

deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional patterns of thoughts, feelings or behaviors that interfere with daily life

DSM-5

diagnostic manual for categorizing disorders

ICD

international classification of diseases published by the WHO for physical and mental health conditions

eclectic approach

therapy strategy that includes strategies from different schools

biopsychosocial model

explains behavior and mental processes through genetics, thoughts and emotions, and environment

diathesis-stress model

mental health conditions results from an interaction between a pre-existing vulnerability and life stress

neurodevelopmental disorders

originating in early childhood, characterized by developmental deficits

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that interferes with functioning

autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

deficits in social communication and interaction, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities

schizophrenic spectrum disorders

loss of contact with reality, hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, or catatonic behavior

delusions

false, irrational beliefs

hallucinations

false, imaginary sensory perceptions

disorganized thinking and speech

illogical, fragmented, incoherent thought and speech process

positive symptoms

add-on symptoms

negative symptoms

absence of normal behaviors

catatonia (positive symptom)

severe disturbance in motor behavior, immobility

stupor (negative symptom)

state of lethargy, extreme near-unconsciousness

flat affect

severe reduction or total absence of emotional expression - monotone voice, expressionless face, lack of nonverbal cues

dopamine hypothesis for schizophrenia

too much dopamine potentially contributes to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia

depressive disorders

sad or empty moods, lack of motivation, disruptions in daily life

major depressive disorder

persistent, intense sadness and a loss of interest in activities lasting two weeks or more

persistent depressive disorder

chronic, low-grade form of depression that lasts for at least 2 years

bipolar disorders

mood disorder characterized by alternating episodes of mania and depression

bipolar I disorder

presence of at least one severe manic episode, which may be preceded by a depressive episode

bipolar II disorder

alternating periods of major depression and mania, but mania is not as intense as in bipolar I

mania

abnormal elevated arousal, energy and mood

anxiety disorders

persistent, excessive and uncontrollable worry

specific phobia

intense, irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that poses little to no actual danger

agoraphobia

fear of social situations/public spaces

panic disorder

recurrent, unexpected panic attacks

social anxiety disorder

intense fear of being watched, judged, embarrassed in social situations

generalized anxiety disorder

chronic, excessive worry about everyday, routine life circumstances

arachnophobia

fear of spiders

acrophobia

fear of heights

ataque de nervios

intense emotional outburst triggered by family-related stress

panic attacks

sudden, intense episodes of overwhelming fear, terror occurring without an immediate, obvious threat

taijin kyofusho

japanese; intense, irrational fear that one's body, functions, or appearance will embarrass or displease others

obsessive-compulsive disorder

persistent, unwanted thoughts that cause high anxiety, leading to repetitive behaviors performed to reduce stress

hoarding disorder

persistent difficulty discarding possessions, and distress getting rid of them

obsession

persistent, recurring, and intrusive thoughts that cause distress, anxiety

compulsion

repetitive, purposeful behaviors to reduce anxiety

dissociative disorders

disruption in consciousness, memory, identity, emotion or perception

dissociative amnesia (with and without fugue)

sudden, often temporary, inability to recall important personal information

fugue

the sudden, unexpected travel away from home, amnesia regarding one's past and the adoption of a new identity

dissociative identity disorder

the presence of two or more alternating personality states that control behavior, accompanies by significant memory gaps

posttraumatic stress disorder

lingering memories, nightmares, avoidance behavior, and anxiety after a traumatic event

anorexia nervosa

restricted food intake leading to significantly low body weight, a fear of gaining weight and distorted body image

bulimia nervosa

binge-eating large amounts of food followed by purging, fasting, or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain

personality disorders

enduring, inflexible, and pervasive patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving that deviate from social norms

cluster a: paranoid

extreme distrust and suspicion of others

cluster a: schizoid

detachment from social relationships, isolation

cluster a: schizotypal

intense discomfort in close relationships, magical thinking

cluster b: antisocial

pervasive disregard for the rights of others, lack of remorse

cluster b: histrionic

attention-seeking

cluster b: narcissistic

pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy

cluster b: borderline

intense instability in relationships, impulsivity

cluster c: avoidant

extreme shyness, social inhibition

cluster c: dependent

pervasive, excessive need to be taken care of

cluster c: obsessive-compulsive

unhealthy preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control

psychotherapy

treatment of disorders through psychological techniques - talk therapy

therapeutic alliance

trusting, collaborative, and empathetic relationship between therapist and client

psychodynamic therapy

to uncover the patient's unconscious mind and bring repressed feelings to conscious awareness and gain insight into the origins of their disorders

free association

saying aloud whatever comes to mind to gain an understanding of the unconscious

dream interpretation

analyzing the content and symbols of dreams

cognitive therapy

assumes our thinking affects our feelings; teaches people new, adaptive ways of thinking

applied behavior analysis

used to support those with autism and developmental disabilities

exposure therapies

exposing people (in imaginary or real situations) to the things they fear and avoid

systematic desensitization

associates a pleasant relaxed state with gradually increasing anxiety-triggering stimuli

aversion therapies

associates an unpleasant state (like nausea) with an unwanted behavior (like drinking alcohol)

token economies

modifies behavior by rewarding desired actions with tokens (secondary reinforcers) that can be exchanged for prizes or privileges

cognitive-behavior therapy

changes self-defeating thinking through changing your behavior

dialectical behavior therapy

helps individuals manage intense emotions, reduce self-destructive behaviors and improve relationships

rational-emotive behavior therapy

challenges people's illogical, self-defeating attitudes and assumptions

humanistic therapy/person-centered therapy

help patients become the best possible version of themselves -> lead client to self-awareness and self-acceptance

active listening

listening and echoes/restates/seeks clarification

group therapy

allows people to see that they are not alone - other people share their problems

hypnosis

a social interaction where a hypnotist suggests to a subject certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will occur

antidepressants

drugs used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD

antianxiety drugs

drugs used to control anxiety and agitation

lithium

a mood-stabilizer used for bipolar patients

antipsychotic medications

drugs used to treat schizophrenia and other severe thought disorders

tardive dyskinesia

sluggishness, tremors and twitches

lesioning

intentionally destroying a part of the brain

TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)

application of repeated pulses of magnetic energy to the brain; used to stimulate or suppress brain activity

electroconvulsive therapy

for severe depression; where a brief electrical current is sent through the brain of an anesthetized person