Stress and Disorder Vocabulary

AP Psych

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Definition: A mental health condition characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts or impulses (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) aimed at managing the anxiety caused by those obsessions

Characteristics/Facts:

• persistent intrusive thoughts

• repetitive ritualistic behaviors

• impacts daily life

Example: counting, cleaning, arranging, hoarding, and repetition

Non-examples: routine rituals like brushing teeth and washing your face

Schizophrenic spectrum disorders

Definition: a group of mental health conditions characterized by symptoms of psychosis

Characteristics/Facts:

• hallucinations

• delusions

• disorganized thinking, speech, and/or behavior

Example: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophreniform disorder

Non-examples: major depressive or anxiety disorder (doesn’t involve psychosis as a primary symptom)

Antisocial personality disorder

Definition: mental health disorder characterized by a persistent disregard for the rights and well-being of others

Characteristics/Facts:

• often begins as a child

• lack of empathy

• impulsive actions

Example: aggressive, violent, or threatening others

Non-examples: bipolar personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder

Anorexia nervosa

Definition: An eating disorder in which you restrict the number of calories you consume, or you burn far more calories than you are taking in, resulting in a nutrient deficit

Characteristics/Facts:

• intense fear of gaining weight

• body dysmorphia

Example: eating very little food and/or working out so you are in deficit. A girl doesn’t like her body, so she eats only 2 or 3 meals a week.

Non-examples: bulimia and binge eating

Bulimia nervosa

Definition: an eating disorder characterized by bingeing followed by purging

Characteristics/Facts:

• episodes of binge eating

• specific eating habits or rituals

Example: misuse of laxatives and/or self-induced vomiting

Non-examples: anorexia and binge eating disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder

Definition: a mental condition characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-importance, need for admiration, and lack of empathy for others

Characteristics/Facts:

• grandiosity

• belief that others are envious of them

• entitlement

Example: constantly seeking attention or exploiting others for personal gain

Non-examples: borderline personality disorder or antisocial personality disorder

Stress

Definition: a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances

Characteristics/Facts:

• headaches

• muscle tension

Example: feeling overwhelmed by work deadlines or experiencing financial difficulties

Non-examples: calmness, relaxation, and tranquility

Hypertension

Definition: a condition where the force of blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high

Characteristics/Facts:

• elevated blood pressure readings

• shortness of breath

Example: a reading of 130-139/80/89 mmHg (stage 1), 140/90 mmHg (stage 2)

Non-examples: absolute hypotension and orthostatic hypotension

Bipolar disorders

Definition: mental illness characterized by extreme shifts. Ranging from periods of intense highs (mania or hypomania) or lows (depression)

Characteristics/Facts:

shifts in-

• mood

• energy

• activity levels

Example: bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder

Non-examples: conditions where mood swings are not present, or where mood states are consistently elevated or consistently depressed