Flashcards for Exam Preparation

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to psychological disorders and their treatment.

lobotomy

A psychosurgical procedure once used to calm uncontrollably emotional or violent patients.

psychological disorder

A syndrome marked by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior.

dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, movement, and attention.

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

Antidepressants that increase serotonin availability in the brain.

antipsychotic drugs

Drugs used to treat schizophrenia and other severe thought disorders by blocking dopamine activity.

cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

A popular integrative therapy combining cognitive therapy and behavior therapy.

transference

The patient's transfer of emotions linked to other relationships onto the therapist.

unconditional positive regard

A nonjudgmental, caring attitude stated by Carl Rogers that is crucial for client-centered therapy.

systematic desensitization

A behavioral therapy technique that associates a pleasant relaxed state with gradually increasing anxiety-triggering stimuli.

obsession

Persistent, unwanted thoughts that cause significant anxiety or distress.

compulsion

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that individuals feel compelled to perform in response to an obsession.

bipolar disorder

A mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression.

generalized anxiety disorder

An anxiety disorder characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life.

panic disorder

An anxiety disorder marked by recurrent unexpected panic attacks.

phobia

An intense, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation.

schizophrenia

A severe psychological disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and diminished emotional expression.

dissociative identity disorder (DID)

A rare dissociative disorder where a person exhibits two or more distinct identities.

evidence-based practice

Clinical decision making that integrates the best available research, clinical expertise, and patient values.

exposure therapy

A behavioral treatment that helps people confront their fears.

cognitive therapy

Therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns to improve mental health.

rehabilitation

Therapy aimed at restoring an individual’s ability to function in society.

stigma

A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.

anxiety disorders

Psychological disorders characterized by excessive fear or anxiety.

dissociation

A psychological state in which a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, or sense of identity.

therapeutic alliance

The bond of trust and mutual understanding between a therapist and client.

social anxiety disorder

An intense fear of social situations.

major depressive disorder

A mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest.

hypochondriasis

A somatic symptom disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation with having a serious illness.

catatonia

A state of unresponsiveness and immobility.

resilience

The ability to cope with stress and recover from adversity.

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

An anxiety disorder that develops after exposure to a traumatic event.

explanatory style

The way a person interprets events, which can influence their mental health.

self-actualization

The realization of one's potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences.

aversion therapy

A type of counterconditioning that associates unpleasant states with unwanted behaviors.

client-centered therapy

Humanistic therapy developed by Carl Rogers that emphasizes a non-directive, empathetic approach.

behavioral therapy

Therapy that applies learning principles to the elimination of unwanted behaviors.

psychodynamic therapy

Therapy that focuses on the unconscious and childhood experiences.

therapeutic lifestyle change

Lifestyle modifications aimed at improving mental health.

neuroscience

The scientific study of the nervous system, especially the brain.

biofeedback

A technique that teaches individuals to control physiological functions.

psychopharmacology

The study of the effects of drugs on the mind and behavior.

self-harm

Deliberate injury of oneself, often as a coping mechanism.

psychosurgery

Surgery that removes or destroys brain tissue in order to change behavior.

electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

A biomedical treatment for severe depression involving a brief electric current to the brain.

token economy

An operant conditioning procedure where people earn tokens for exhibiting desired behaviors.

cognitive distortions

Irrational or exaggerated thought patterns that can contribute to mental disorders.

stress vulnerability model

A model that suggests psychological disorders emerge from an interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental stressors.

epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors can influence gene expression.

neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synapse between neurons.

self-efficacy

One's belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations.

psychological resilience

The ability to adapt to stress and adversity.

mindfulness

A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment.

comorbidity

The occurrence of two or more disorders at the same time.

psychological assessment

A process that uses tests and other tools to measure an individual's mental health and functioning.

major neurocognitive disorder (formerly dementia)

A decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life.

antisocial personality disorder

A personality disorder characterized by a long-term pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others.

borderline personality disorder

A disorder characterized by unstable moods, behavior, and relationships.

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

A condition characterized by unwanted recurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that an individual feels driven to perform.

mind-body connection

The relationship between a person's thoughts, emotions, and physical health.

relapse prevention

A behavioral strategy used in addiction treatment to prevent the return to abusive substances or behaviors.

rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

A form of cognitive therapy that helps individuals recognize and change irrational beliefs.

interpersonal therapy (IPT)

A structured, time-limited therapy that focuses on improving interpersonal relationships.

art therapy

A therapeutic technique that uses creative expression to help individuals communicate feelings and explore emotions.

narrative therapy

A therapeutic approach that uses storytelling to help clients rewrite their personal narratives.

psychological first aid

An early intervention aimed at reducing the initial distress of individuals after traumatic events.

group therapy

Therapy conducted with groups rather than individuals, providing support and interaction among members.

cultural competence

The ability of healthcare providers to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people from diverse backgrounds.

self-care

Activities and practices that individuals initiate and perform on their own behalf to maintain life, health, and well-being.

neuroplasticity

The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.

schema therapy

A form of psychotherapy that combines cognitive and experiential techniques to treat personality disorders.

support group

A gathering of people who share a common experience or condition, providing each other with emotional support.

co-occurring disorders

The conditions where an individual has both a mental illness and a substance use disorder.

vicarious trauma

The emotional residue of exposure that therapists and caregivers may experience when indirectly exposed to the trauma of

activation-synthesis theory

A theory that suggests dreams are the brain's way of making sense of random neural activity during sleep.

hypnosis

A social interaction in which one person suggests to another that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur.

diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM)

A publication by the American Psychiatric Association that describes and classifies mental disorders.

substance use disorder

A condition characterized by an individual's inability to control their use of a substance despite negative consequences.

intellectual disability

A developmental disorder characterized by below-average intelligence and limitations in adaptive behavior.

dysthymia

A persistent low mood or chronic depression lasting for at least two years.

childhood onset schizophrenia

A rare and severe form of schizophrenia that occurs in children under the age of 13.

gender dysphoria

A condition where an individual experiences significant distress due to their biological sex not aligning with their gender identity.

agoraphobia

An anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable.

schizoaffective disorder

A mental disorder characterized by symptoms of both schizophrenia and a mood disorder (depression or mania