Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health Vocab

Alarm reaction phase

The first stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) where the body immediately responds to a stressor by activating the sympathetic nervous system.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Potentially traumatic events experienced in childhood that can impact long-term health and well-being.

Distress

Negative stress that can cause anxiety, discomfort, and impair functioning.

Emotion-focused coping

A coping strategy aimed at managing emotional responses to stress instead of addressing the problem itself.

Eustress

Positive stress that can motivate individuals to perform well and achieve goals.

Exhaustion phase

The final stage of GAS, where prolonged stress depletes the body's resources.

Fight-flight-freeze response

An automatic physiological reaction to a perceived threat, preparing the body to fight, flee, or freeze.

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

Hans Selye's three-stage model describing the body's response to stress.

Health psychology

A field of psychology focused on how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness.

Hypertension

Chronically high blood pressure, often linked to stress and poor lifestyle choices.

Immune response

The body's defense mechanism against infections and diseases, which can be weakened by chronic stress.

Problem-focused coping

A coping strategy aimed at directly addressing and solving the source of stress.

Resistance phase

The second stage of GAS, where the body remains activated and attempts to adapt to the stressor.

Stress

The body’s physical and psychological response to challenging or demanding situations.

Stressors

External or internal events that trigger a stress response.

Tend-and-befriend theory

A stress response theory suggesting that individuals seek social support and care for others in response to stress.

Positive psychology

The scientific study of strengths, virtues, and factors that contribute to a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Posttraumatic growth

Psychological improvement and personal development that arise after experiencing trauma.

Resilience

The ability to recover from setbacks and adapt to adversity.

Subjective well-being

An individual's self-perceived happiness and life satisfaction.

Wisdom

The ability to use knowledge, experience, and good judgment to navigate life’s challenges.

Behavioral perspective

Explains psychological disorders based on learned behaviors and conditioning.

Biological perspective

Focuses on genetic, neurological, and physiological factors that influence mental disorders.

Cognitive perspective

Examines how negative thought patterns and cognitive distortions contribute to psychological disorders.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

The standard classification system for diagnosing mental disorders.

Psychological disorder

A condition characterized by abnormal thoughts, emotions, or behaviors that cause significant distress or impairment.

Stigma

Negative social attitudes and discrimination associated with mental illness.

Personality disorders

A group of mental health conditions characterized by enduring maladaptive personality traits.

Cluster A

A category of personality disorders marked by odd, eccentric behaviors.

Antisocial personality disorder

A disorder involving persistent disregard for others' rights and a lack of empathy.

Acrophobia

Intense fear of heights.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Chronic, excessive worry about various aspects of life.

Panic disorder

Recurring panic attacks that lead to persistent fear of future attacks.

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders

A range of disorders characterized by psychosis and impaired thought processes.

Negative symptoms

Symptoms involving the absence of normal behaviors, such as lack of emotion.

Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT)

A treatment approach that combines cognitive and behavioral strategies.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

A treatment for severe depression involving controlled electrical stimulation of the brain.