AP Psych Unit 10: Illness & Treatment

Dysfunction

Abnormal behavior patterns that impede functioning and indicate a mental disorder.

Distress

Personal suffering or emotional turmoil that can indicate a mental disorder.

Deviation from social norms

Behavior that violates societal expectations, contributing to the definition of a mental disorder.

Positive effects of diagnosing

Benefits such as proper treatment and understanding of mental health conditions.

Negative effects of diagnosing

Drawbacks like stigma and diagnostic overshadowing associated with labeling mental health conditions.

DSM

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a classification system for diagnosing mental disorders.

ICD

International Classification of Diseases, a global tool for categorizing diseases, including mental disorders.

Eclectic approach

A flexible diagnosis and treatment strategy incorporating multiple psychological theories.

Biological perspective

The view that mental disorders stem from physiological processes, including genetics and brain chemistry.

Behavioral perspective

Focuses on observable behaviors and environmental factors causing psychological disorders.

Cognitive perspective

Emphasizes how thought patterns influence emotions and behavior related to mental distress.

Humanistic perspective

Stresses personal growth and self-actualization in understanding mental health.

Psychodynamic perspective

Based on Freud's theories, focusing on unconscious processes and early experiences.

Sociocultural perspective

Considers social and cultural factors impacting mental health.

Family systems

Theoretical framework assessing psychological issues within family dynamics.

Diathesis-stress model

Proposes mental disorders arise from genetic predispositions and environmental stressors.

Biopsychosocial model

An integrated approach analyzing biological, psychological, and social factors in mental health.

Neurodevelopmental disorders

Disorders with developmental deficits affecting functioning, usually diagnosed in childhood.

ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, characterized by inattention and hyperactivity.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

A developmental disorder marked by social communication difficulties and repetitive behaviors.

Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders

Severe mental disorders affecting perception of reality and thought processes.

Positive symptoms

Symptoms like hallucinations and delusions that add abnormal behavior, especially in schizophrenia.

Delusions

Strongly held false beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary.

Hallucinations

Perceptions of stimuli that are not present, such as hearing voices.

Disorganized thinking

Incoherent speech patterns indicative of severe mental disturbance.

Negative symptoms

Symptoms reflecting a decrease in normal functions, like lack of motivation.

Avolition

Inability to initiate and persist in activities.

Catatonia

A state of unresponsiveness or unusual motor behavior in severe mental disorders.

Flat affect

A significant reduction in emotional expressiveness.

Possible causes of schizophrenia

Factors like genetic vulnerability, prenatal virus exposure, and dopamine dysregulation.

Depressive disorders

Mental disorders characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest.

Major depressive disorder

A chronic condition defined by pervasive low mood and other cognitive symptoms.

Persistent depressive disorder

Chronic depression lasting at least two years, with milder symptoms.

Bipolar I disorder

Characterized by at least one manic episode lasting at least one week.

Bipolar II disorder

Involves at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode.

Cyclothymic disorder

Milder mood disorder with numerous periods of hypomania and depressive symptoms.

Panic disorder

An anxiety disorder with recurrent unexpected panic attacks.

Specific phobia

Intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation.

Agoraphobia

Fear of situations where escape might be difficult during a panic attack.

Social anxiety disorder

Intense fear of social situations, leading to avoidance.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Excessive worry about various life aspects lasting over six months.

OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, marked by persistent unwanted thoughts and compulsive actions.

Compulsion

Repetitive behaviors performed to alleviate distress from obsessions.

Obsession

Intrusive thoughts causing significant anxiety or distress.

Hoarding disorder

Difficulty discarding possessions, leading to clutter.

Dissociative amnesia

Inability to recall important personal information, sometimes with fugue.

Dissociative identity disorder

Presence of two or more distinct personality states.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

A condition triggered by traumatic experiences, resulting in flashbacks and avoidance.

Anorexia nervosa

Eating disorder characterized by severe food restriction and fear of gaining weight.

Bulimia nervosa

Eating disorder involving binge eating followed by purging behaviors.

Cluster A personality disorders

Odd or eccentric disorders including Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal.

Cluster B personality disorders

Dramatic or erratic disorders including Antisocial, Histrionic, Narcissistic, and Borderline PD.

Cluster C personality disorders

Anxious or fearful disorders including Avoidant, Dependent, and Obsessive-Compulsive PD.

Evidence-based interventions

Treatment methods grounded in scientific evidence for specific conditions.

Therapeutic alliance

A trusting relationship between therapist and client crucial for effective therapy.

Deinstitutionalization

Reducing the number of patients in mental hospitals in favor of community treatment.

Community psychology

Decentralized treatment approach using local resources for mental health services.

Beneficence

An ethical principle ensuring therapists act in clients' best interests.

Nonmaleficence

An ethical principle that promotes avoiding harm to clients.

Fidelity

A standard requiring psychologists to maintain trust and professional relationships.

Integrity in psychology

Emphasizes honesty and accurate representation in practice.

Respect for people's rights

Acknowledgment of individuals' rights to autonomy and confidentiality.

Free association

A psychodynamic technique where clients express thoughts freely to uncover unconscious content.

Dream interpretation

A process analyzing dreams to identify emotional conflicts in psychodynamic therapy.

Cognitive restructuring

A technique in cognitive therapy aimed at changing negative thought patterns.

Thought records

A tool in cognitive therapy where clients document thoughts and feelings to modify maladaptive behaviors.

Applied behavior analysis

A discipline applying behavioral principles to improve social behaviors.

Conditioning

A learning process through reinforcement or punishment; includes classical and operant conditioning.

Classical conditioning

A behavior modification technique pairing relaxation with anxiety-provoking stimuli.

Aversion therapies

Interventions aimed at associating unpleasant stimuli with undesirable behaviors.

Token economies

Behavioral technique rewarding clients with tokens for desired behaviors.

Biofeedback

Technique using monitoring devices to help individuals manage physiological functions.

Rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

Cognitive therapy concentrating on changing irrational beliefs to alleviate emotional distress.

Humanistic therapies

Therapies focused on individual experiences, emphasizing empathy and self-discovery.

Unconditional positive regard

Acceptance and support offered by therapists without conditions.

Empathy in therapy

Understanding and sharing clients' feelings, crucial for effective therapy.

Active listening

A communication technique focused on engaging with and reflecting the speaker's message.

Group therapy vs. individual therapy

Comparison of therapy formats involving multiple participants versus one-on-one sessions.

Hypnosis in therapy

A technique used to reduce pain and anxiety through focused attention.

Antipsychotics

Medications primarily for treating schizophrenia and severe mental disorders.

Antidepressants

Medications used to treat depression by balancing brain chemicals.

Anxiolytics

Short-term medications for anxiety disorders, helping to improve mood.

Mood stabilizers

Medications that stabilize mood fluctuations, particularly in bipolar disorder.

Side effects of medications

Negative effects experienced from drugs, like tardive dyskinesia from antipsychotics.

Psychosurgery

Surgical interventions like lobotomy, once used for severe mental disorders but now ethically concerning.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

A non-invasive procedure using magnetic fields to treat depression.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Treatment inducing seizures to relieve severe depression.