REAL HOSA Behavioral Health

Neuron

Basic building block of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting messages throughout the body.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons.

Soma

Cell body of a neuron that contains the nucleus.

Axon

Long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the soma.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Part of the nervous system that connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain responsible for higher brain functions like thought and action.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain that regulates coordination and balance.

Limbic System

Set of brain structures associated with emotions and memory.

Brainstem

Part of the brain that controls basic life functions such as heart rate and breathing.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself.

Sensation

The process of receiving stimuli from the environment.

Perception

The brain's interpretation of sensory information.

Top-Down Processing

Perception influenced by previous experience or expectations.

Bottom-Up Processing

Perception that starts with sensory input.

Perceptual Illusions

Misinterpretations of sensory information by the brain.

States of Consciousness

Different levels of awareness of one's environment and internal states.

REM Sleep

Stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movement and vivid dreams.

Non-REM Sleep

Stage of sleep that does not involve REM and is divided into several stages.

Circadian Rhythms

Biological clock that regulates sleep and wake cycles.

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that affect the brain and alter consciousness.

Drive-Reduction Theory

The idea that motivation arises from physiological needs.

Incentive Theory

The theory that behavior is motivated by a desire for external rewards.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs.

Intrinsic Motivation

Drive to do something based on internal rewards.

Extrinsic Motivation

Drive to do something based on external rewards.

James-Lange Theory

The theory that emotions arise from physiological reactions.

Cannon-Bard Theory

The theory that emotions and physiological responses occur simultaneously.

Schachter-Singer Theory

The theory that emotions are based on physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

The theory that facial expressions can influence emotional experience.

Classical Conditioning

Learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

Learning process through which behaviors are shaped by rewards or punishments.

Observational Learning

Learning by observing others.

Cognitive Learning

Learning influenced by mental processes.

Memory Stages

The three stages of memory processing: sensory, short-term, and long-term.

Encoding

The process of converting information into a form that can be stored.

Storage

The retention of encoded information over time.

Retrieval

The process of accessing and bringing into consciousness information stored in memory.

Explicit Memory

Memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know.

Implicit Memory

Memory of skills and procedures that are performed without conscious awareness.

Episodic Memory

Memory for personal events and experiences.

Procedural Memory

Memory for the performance of particular types of action.

Forgetting

The inability to retrieve information from memory.

Distortions

The alteration of memories when recalling them.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A syndrome marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder characterized by hallucinations and delusions.

Bipolar Disorder

A mental condition characterized by extreme mood swings ranging from mania to depression.

Depression

A mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest.

Anxiety Disorders

A group of mental disorders characterized by excessive fear or worry.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A disorder in which a person has unwanted and repeated thoughts or behaviors.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Personality Disorders

A group of mental disorders characterized by enduring patterns of behavior that differ from cultural expectations.

Dissociative Disorders

Mental disorders characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception.

Eating Disorders

Disorders characterized by unhealthy eating habits and attitudes towards food.

Psychotherapy

Therapeutic method for treating mental health issues through conversation.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns.

Medication

Pharmaceutical treatments for mental health disorders.

Community Mental Health Services

Services aimed at providing support and treatment for mental health issues within the community.

Alternative Therapies

Non-traditional treatments used to complement or replace standard medical treatments.

Education & Awareness

Efforts to inform the public about mental health and reduce stigma.

Early Intervention

Support provided to individuals at the first signs of mental health issues.

Healthy Lifestyle

Practices that promote physical and mental well-being.

Screening Tools

Assessments used to identify mental health issues.

Recognizing Symptoms

The ability to notice early signs of mental health disorders.

Coping Strategies

Methods that people use to deal with stress and difficult situations.

Relapse Prevention

Strategies designed to help individuals maintain recovery from mental health issues.

Support Networks

Groups of people that provide emotional and practical support.

Harm Reduction

Strategies aimed at minimizing the negative consequences of substance use.

Holistic Health

An approach to health that considers physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.

Self-Care

Activities and practices that individuals engage in to manage stress and maintain health.

Acute Stress

Short-term stress response to a specific event.

Chronic Stress

Long-term stress resulting from persistent challenges.

Fight-or-Flight Response

Physiological reaction to perceived harmful events or threats.

Problem-Focused Coping

Coping strategies aimed at addressing the problem causing stress.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Coping strategies aimed at managing emotional responses to stress.

Healthy Coping Strategies

Adaptive mechanisms to deal with stress, such as exercise and therapy.

Unhealthy Coping

Maladaptive strategies to manage stress such as substance use or avoidance.

Psychologists

Professionals trained to diagnose and treat mental health issues.

Psychiatrists

Medical doctors who specialize in mental health and can prescribe medication.

Mental Health Counselors

Professionals who provide therapy and support to individuals with mental health issues.

Social Workers

Professionals who help individuals access community resources and services.

Substance Abuse Counselors

Specialists who assist individuals struggling with addiction.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, protects patient privacy.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Legislation that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities, including mental health.

Mental Health Parity Act

Requires equal insurance coverage for mental health and physical health treatments.

Confidentiality

The ethical principle that ensures information shared by clients is kept private.

APA Code of Ethics

Guidelines established by the American Psychological Association to ensure ethical practice in psychology.

Structuralism

Early school of thought in psychology that focused on analyzing the structure of the mind.

Functionalism

Early perspective that emphasized the purpose of behavior and mental processes.

Behaviorism

School of thought that focuses on observable behaviors and the environment.

Psychoanalysis

Freud's therapeutic technique that focuses on unconscious processes.

Humanistic Psychology

Approach that emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization.

Biopsychosocial Model

A model that combines biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding health.

Primary Care

First point of contact in the healthcare system, often dealing with general health.

Secondary Care

Healthcare services provided by specialists who typically do not have first contact with patients.

Public Health Initiatives

Efforts designed to promote health and prevent disease at the population level.