PSYCH 202z Chavez *FINAL* Study Guide - Lectures

Psychological disorders

Psychological disorders

Characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that cause significant distress or impairment in functioning.

Maladaptive behavior

Behavior in a society that deviates from the normal culture, is self-destructive, or causes discomfort to oneself or others.

Emotional distress

Persistent sadness, excessive worry, or feelings of hopelessness that hinder daily activities and overall quality of life.

Observer distress

Behavior exhibited by an individual that causes distress or discomfort to others around them.

Psychopathology

An illness of the mind and/or brain.

Etiology

Factors that contribute to the development of a disorder.

Self-diagnosis

Learning about an illness followed by experiencing phantom symptoms due to hyperfixation.

DSM 5

A standardized classification system used by mental health professionals to diagnose psychological disorders.

Categorical approach

The idea that a disorder either is or isn’t, with no gradations.

Dimensional approach

The notion that disorders fall on a spectrum, allowing for a nuanced understanding of symptoms.

Comorbidity

The idea that multiple disorders can occur simultaneously in an individual.

Biopsychosocial influence

An integrative approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors affecting mental health.

p-factor

A general factor suggesting that some individuals are more predisposed to mental health issues.

Diathesis-stress model

The idea that psychological disorders develop due to the interaction between predisposition and external stressors.

Family system model

An approach that emphasizes the role of family dynamics and genetics in psychological disorder development.

Social-culture model

A framework examining how societal and cultural factors impact mental health and psychological disorders.

Cognitive-behavior approach

Therapeutic method focusing on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Anxiety disorder

A mental disorder categorized by fear and anxiety even in the absence of danger.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) to reduce anxiety.

Psychotherapy

Treatment of abnormal behavior through interactions between the patient and a professional.

Psychotropic medications

Drugs that affect mental processes, used to treat various psychological disorders.

Efficacy

Treatments that work in a controlled setting.

Effectiveness

Treatments that work in the real world.

Iatrogenic effects

Adverse effects or complications arising from medical treatment.

Randomized Clinical Trial

A study where participants are randomly assigned to different treatment groups to ensure objectivity.