Psychology 230: Somatic, Mood, Anxiety, and Sexual Disorders Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering somatic symptom disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, paraphilic disorders, and legal/ethical issues in psychology.

Soma

A Greek term meaning 'body.'

Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD)

A category of disorders involving distressing physical symptoms paired with abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in response to those symptoms.

Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD)

An excessive fear of having or developing a serious illness despite the absence of significant medical symptoms.

Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FND)

Neurological symptoms like blindness or paralysis that occur without an identifiable neurological disease; formerly known as Conversion Disorder.

Malingering

Faking symptoms for external gain, such as legal or financial rewards or avoiding work.

Factitious Disorder

Intentionally producing or faking symptoms for internal psychological reasons, such as the desire for attention or care.

Primary Gain

In psychodynamic theory, the reduction of internal conflict or escape from a stressful situation achieved through physical symptoms.

Secondary Gain

The external benefits gained from being ill, such as attention, sympathy, and care from others.

Hoover's Sign

A clinical test for FND where a supposedly weak leg pushes downward automatically when the patient lifts their opposite leg.

Anhedonia

The inability to feel pleasure, commonly seen in major depressive episodes.

HPA Axis

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system that regulates the body's stress response by releasing hormones like cortisol.

MDD with Psychotic Features

A subtype of Major Depressive Disorder that includes delusions or hallucinations, often themed around worthlessness or death.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

A chronic state of low mood that persists for at least 2 years in adults.

Double Depression

A condition where a major depressive episode develops in a person already suffering from Persistent Depressive Disorder.

Learned Helplessness Theory

A theory developed by Martin Seligman suggesting that a perceived lack of control over negative events leads to depression.

Depressive Cognitive Triad

Negative thinking patterns about one's self, the world, and the future as defined by Aaron Beck.

Behavioral Activation (BA)

A therapeutic technique focused on increasing engagement in meaningful and rewarding activities to improve mood.

SSRIs

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; medications that treat depression by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain.

Lateral Habenula (LHb)

A brain structure involved in processing disappointment and reward; hyperactivity in this area is linked to depression.

Ketamine

A dissociative anesthetic used in low doses as a rapid-acting treatment for chronic pain and treatment-resistant depression.

Bipolar I Disorder

A diagnosis requiring at least one full manic episode lasting at least 1 week.

Bipolar II Disorder

A diagnosis requiring at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode.

DIGFAST

A mnemonic for manic symptoms: Distractibility, Indiscretion, Grandiosity, Flight of ideas, Activity increase, Sleep decrease, and Talkativeness.

Symbyax

A combination medication of fluoxetine and olanzapine used to treat bipolar depression.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A procedure using brief electric shocks to the brain to induce seizures, used for rapid symptom relief in severe depression or mania.

Suicide Contagion

The phenomenon where the risk of suicide increases for others following the publicized suicide of an individual.

Perceived Burdensomeness

A component of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide defined by the belief that others would be better off if one were dead.

Thwarted Belongingness

A feeling of social isolation and lack of connection, identified as a key factor in suicide risk.

Anxiety

A negative mood state involving physical tension and apprehension about future danger or threat.

Fear

An immediate emotional alarm response to present danger or life-threatening emergencies.

Interoception

The awareness of internal bodily sensations, such as heartbeat or breathing, which can be misidentified as panic symptoms.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Extreme concern about being judged or scrutinized by others, leading to the avoidance of social situations.

Obsessions

Persistent, intrusive, and distressing thoughts, urges, or images that an individual tries to ignore or suppress.

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to neutralize obsessions or reduce distress.

Scrupulosity

A form of OCD involving a pathologically obsessive fear of moral or religious wrongdoing.

Hoarding Disorder

A condition characterized by persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of value, leading to severe clutter.

Sexual Self-Schemas

Cognitive representations of one’s own sexual self, which influence how individuals process sexual information and behave.

Sensate Focus

A series of hierarchical tactile exercises used in sex therapy to reduce performance anxiety by focusing on sensation rather than orgasm.

Spectatoring

Mentally observing and evaluating oneself during sexual activity from a third-person perspective, which often increases anxiety.

Paraphilic Disorder

Sexual arousal focused on nonsexual objects, body parts, or nonconsenting persons that causes distress or impairment.

Exhibitionistic Disorder

Sexual arousal achieved through exposing one's genitals to unsuspecting strangers.

Voyeuristic Disorder

Sexual arousal achieved from secretly observing unsuspecting people who are naked or engaging in sexual activity.

Tarasoff Case

A landmark legal case that established the 'Duty to Warn,' requiring therapists to notify potential victims of a client's credible threats.

Mandated Reporter

A professional legally required to report suspected child or elder abuse to the appropriate authorities.

Dual Relationships

A situation where a therapist has a professional role with a client while simultaneously being in another role with them, such as a coworker.

Transference

A psychological phenomenon where a patient unconsciously redirects feelings for a significant person in their life onto their therapist.

Competency to Stand Trial

A legal determination of whether a defendant understands the courtroom process and can participate in their own defense.

M'Naghten Rule

A legal standard for insanity stating a person is not responsible if they did not understand the nature of their act or that it was wrong.

2PC (Two Physician Certificates)

A process in some states where two mental health professionals must agree that a patient requires emergency involuntary hospitalization.