Module 10: Mental Disorders & Treatment

Somatogenic Hypothesis

Mental disorders have physiological causes.

Psychogenic Hypothesis

Symptoms of mental disorders are caused by psychological processes.

Biopsychosocial Model

A holistic perspective that considers psychological processes, biological factors, and sociocultural influences.

Diathesis-Stress Model

A model stating that a predisposition (diathesis) combined with stress can trigger a mental disorder.

Mental Disorders

Dysfunctional patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that interfere with daily life.

DSM

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders.

DSM-5

The fifth edition of the DSM, which includes various mental health disorders.

Anxiety Disorders

Common mental disorders affecting 15 to 20% of the US population, including panic and social anxiety.

Panic Disorder

Characterized by unexpected panic attacks.

Agoraphobia

Fear of being in situations where help might not be available or escape might be difficult.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Intense fear of being watched and judged by others.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Characterized by continuous feelings of anxiety without a clear cause.

Phobias

Excessive and persistent fear or anxiety about specific objects or situations.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions).

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

A trauma-related disorder with symptoms classified into four major clusters.

Major Depressive Disorder

A condition where an individual experiences at least five signs of depression for over two weeks.

Bipolar Disorder

A disorder characterized by alternating episodes of depression and mania.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental illness characterized by disorganized thinking and disturbed perceptions.

Psychotic Symptoms

Hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking considered as positive symptoms.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

A rare disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct identities.

Eating Disorders

The most deadly mental disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder involving an intense fear of gaining weight and starvation.

Bulimia Nervosa

Includes binge-eating followed by purging or fasting, often with body image disturbance.

Binge-Eating Disorder

Significant binge-eating without purging, followed by emotional distress.

Psychotherapy

General treatment through conversation with a mental health provider.

Psychoanalysis

A therapeutic approach developed by Freud, using free association and dream analysis.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Focuses on insight into unconscious internal forces and early relationships.

Client-Centered Therapy

Therapy that emphasizes empathy, genuineness, and acceptance.

Behavior Therapy

A method that views negative behaviors as learned solutions to problems.

Cognitive Therapy

A type of therapy focused on changing negative thinking patterns.

CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy)

A combination of cognitive and behavioral therapy addressing present issues.

Mindfulness Approach

A therapeutic approach promoting awareness of thoughts, feelings, and environment.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to favor information that conforms to pre-existing beliefs.

Illusory Correlation

The perception of a relationship where none exists.

Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors

A class of antidepressants that increase norepinephrine and serotonin availability.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Antidepressants that primarily act on serotonin levels.

Mood Stabilizers

Medications used to treat bipolar disorder.

Tranquilizers (Anxiolytics)

Medication for anxiety that increases GABA neurotransmission.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A treatment for severe depression involving induced seizures.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

A non-invasive treatment using electromagnetic pulses.

Vagal Nerve Stimulation

Implantation of a stimulator to deliver electrical pulses to the vagus nerve.