5.4 - Explaining and Classifying Psychological Disorders

AP Psychology Unit 5-5.4

agoraphobia

anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear and avoidance of places or situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable if panic-like symptoms were to occur.

anorexia nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, leading to self-starvation and excessive weight loss.

antisocial personality disorder

a mental health disorder characterized by disregard for others, persistent lying, stealing, demonstrating aggressive behavior and a lack of remorse.

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity that interfere with functioning or development.

autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. It includes a wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability.

bipolar I disorder

characterized by one or more manic episodes or mixed episodes (symptoms of both mania and depression) and one or more major depressive episodes.

bulimia nervosa

another type of eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting (purging), fasting, or over-exercising.

delusions

false beliefs that a person firmly holds onto, despite clear evidence to the contrary. These beliefs are not influenced by reality and remain persistent even when they're irrational.

dissociative amnesia

refers to a psychological disorder characterized by the inability to remember important personal information, usually related to traumatic or stressful events. It is not due to physical damage or medical conditions.

dissociative identity disorder (DID)

a mental disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states, each with its own way of perceiving and interacting with the environment.

generalized anxiety disorder

psychological disorder characterized by excessive worry about everyday things for at least six months.

hallucinations

perceptions in the absence of external stimulus that have qualities of real perceptio

hoarding disorder

mental health condition characterized by persistent difficulty in discarding or parting with possessions, leading to clutter that interferes with living spaces and daily functioning.

major depressive disorder

mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of suicide.

mania

state of abnormally elevated arousal, affect, and energy level, or "a state of heightened overall activation with enhanced affective expression together with lability of affect."

obsessive compulsive disorder

chronic mental health disorder characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

panic disorder

psychiatric disorder in which debilitating anxiety and fear arise frequently and without reasonable cause, presenting themselves in the form of panic attacks

posttraumatic stress disorder

mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event, leading to severe anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

schizophrenia spectrum disorder

encompass a range of conditions that share symptoms with schizophrenia, such as disorganized thinking, hallucinations, delusions, and social withdrawal.

social anxiety disorder

chronic mental health condition where social interactions cause irrational anxiety, fear, self-consciousness, and embarrassment.