Unit 5 - Mental and Physical Health

stress

process by which we perceive and respond to certain events (a.k.a. stressors) that we appraise as threatening or challenging

general adaptation system (GAS)

physiological model of body's response to stress

alarm reaction

first phase of GAS, a stressful situation is encountered and the body sends out an alarm

resistance phase

second phase of GAS, the body responds to the stressors with an "all hands on deck" approach, reallocating energy from other systems

exhaustion

third phase of GAS, the body uses up energy reserves; fatigue and potential illness often follows

tend and befriend

responding to stress by seeking support and building social connections

fight-flight-freeze

facing a perceived threat by either confronting the threat (fight), escaping it (flight), or being unable to act (freeze)

problem focused coping

seeing stress as a problem to be solved and working out a solution until one is found

emotion focused coping

managing emotion reactions to stress as a means of coping

positive psychology

seeks to identify factors that lead to well-being resilience, positive emotions, and psychological health

gratitude

a positive emotion characterized by a sense of thankfulness and appreciation for the benefits, blessings, and good things in one's life

post-traumatic growth

the positive psychological changes that some individuals experience as a result of struggling with a major life crisis or traumatic event

signature strengths of pos. psych

wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence

DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)

diagnostic criteria and codes use by mental health workers

stigma

negative attitudes, stereotypes, and beliefs held towards individuals or groups due to specific characteristics or conditions, often leading to prejudice, discrimination, and social exclusion

eclectic approach

a flexible method that draws upon various therapeutic techniques and theories to address individual needs

behavioral approach

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on maladaptive learned associations between or among responses to stimuli

psychodynamic approach

proposes that causes of mental disorders focus on unconscious thoughts and experiences, often developed during childhood

humanistic approach

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on a lack of social supports and being unable to fulfill one's potential

cognitive approach

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on maladaptive thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, or emotions

evolutionary approach

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on behaviors and mental processes that reduce the likelihood of survival

sociocultural approach

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on maladaptive sociocultural relationships and dynamics

biological approach

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on physiological/genetic issues

diatheses-stress model

assumes that psychological disorders develop due to a genetic vulnerability (diatheses) in combination with stressful life experiences (stress)

neurodevelopmental disorders

conditions characterized by impairments in brain developments that lead to difficult in various areas, including cognition, communication, and behavior

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

people with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development

autism spectrum disorder

persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts; restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities (DSM V criteria)

schizophrenia

psychological disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking/speech, disorganized motor behavior and negative symptoms

positive vs negative symptoms

positive symptoms represent an addition or distortion of normal experiences, while negative symptoms reflect a loss or reduction or normal experiences

catatonia

a state of psycho-motor immobility and behavior abnormality manifested by stupor

major depressive disorder

a disorder in which a person experiences, in the absence of drugs or another medical condition, two or more weeks with five or more symptoms, at least one of which must be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure

bipolar disorder

mood disorder in which a person alternates between the hopelessness and lethargy of depression and the overexcited state of mania

bipolar disorder I

a person experiences a full manic episode. an episode of hypomania or depression may precede or occur after the manic episode

bipolar disorder II

a person experiences an elevated mood, known as hypomania; hypomania is less intense and shorter duration of symptoms than mania

generalized anxiety disorder

a person is continually tense, apprehensive, and in a state of automatic nervous system arousal

panic disorder

marked by unpredictable episodes of intense dread in which a person experiences terror and accompanying physical symptoms

specific phobias

particular object or situation causes anxiety

agoraphobia

fear or avoidance of situations when escape is difficult, impossible, or unknown

social anxiety disorder

intense fear of being judged by others in social situations

culture bound anxiety disorder

a pattern of mental health distress or symptoms that is unique to a specific culture or ethnic group and doesn't fit standard psychiatric classifications

obssessive-compulsive diroder

characterized by enacted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors that reduce anxiety related to the obsessions (compulsions)

dissociative amnesia

inability to recall autobiographical memory associated with a traumatic event. recall of traumatic events is usually unconscious

dissociative identity disorder

an individual exhibits two or more distinct and alternating personalities

dissociative fugue

sub-type of amnesia. may involve a temporary or permanent loss of one's personal identity or the development of a new identity

post-traumatic stress disorder

characterized by symptoms that persist a minimum of four weeks after traumatic experience. trauma and stressors disorders may involve: hypervigilence, severe anxiety, flashbacks to traumatic/stressful experience, insomnia, emotional detachment, and hostility

anorexia nervosa

restriction of energy intake relative to requirements leading to a significantly low body weight in the context of age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health; intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight; disturbance in the way in which one's body weight/shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight

bulimia nervosa

recurrent episodes of binge eating

personality disorder cluster A

characterized by appearing odd or eccentric (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal)

personality disorder cluster B

characterized by appearing dramatic, emotional or erratic (antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic)

personality disorder cluster C

characterized by appearing anxious or fearful (avoidant, dependent, obssesive)

deinstitutionalization

the movement of patients from long-stay psychotic hospitals to community based mental health services

psychodynamic therapy

a method of psychotherapy that aims to explore and understand the unconscious mind in order to resolve psychological issues and promote emotional growth

cognitive therapy

focuses on helping people change their ways of thinking rather than focusing on the behavior itself

cognitive triad

the negative thoughts about oneself, the world, and the future that are characteristic of a depressive disorder

applied behaviorial analysis

a science that uses principles of learning and behavior to make meaningful changes in individuals' lives, helps to improve skills and quality of life

exposure therapy

a behavioral technique used to treat anxiety disorders by gradually exposing individuals to feared objects or situations in a coordinated manner

token economy

a system where individuals earn tokens for exhibiting specific desired behaviors and those tokens may be exchanged for various rewards or privileges

systematic desentisization

a behavioral theory technique used to treat phobias by gradually exposing individuals to fearful stimuli while they practice relaxation techniques

biofeedback

a technique that utilizes instruments to provide individuals with real-time information about their physiological responses, like heart rate, muscle tension, or brainwave activity, allowing them to learn how to consciously control these bodily functions

dialectical behavioral therapy

a type of therapy that combines elements of cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness techniques. aims to help individuals regulate their emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and develop effective coping strategies

rational emotional behavioral therapy

a type of therapy that focuses on changing irrational beliefs and behaviors, emphasizes the idea that our thoughts and beliefs, rather than external events, directly influence our emotions and behaviors

group therapy

therapy that occurs with a single therapist and multiple patients

person centered therapy

focuses on fostering a supportive environment for clients to explore their feelings or develop self-awareness

hypnosis (as a therapy method)

a trance-like state characterized by focused attention and heightened suggestibility. people are more receptive to suggestions, leading to change in their behavior/perceptions

antidepressents

a class of medications typically used to treat clinical depression. these drugs work to allow the brain to complete it's chemical processes

antianxiety medication

used to treat anxiety, works on cns to reduce hyperactivity in the brain and induce a calming effect

antipsychotic medication

used to treat symptoms of psychosis, they work by modulating brain chemistry, often by blocking dopamine receptors

psychosurgery

a type of brain surgery used to treat mental disorders by destroying parts of the brain

transcranial magnetic stimulation

a non-invasive brain stimulation technique where magnetic pulses are used to temporarily alter brain activity

electroconvulsive therapy

a treatment used for severe mental disorders where small electrical currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a seizure