NH_12CBT_Research (2)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A therapeutic approach that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A mental health disorder characterized by unwanted, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions).

Hyperactivity

Increased activity or function in a specific area of the brain.

Mindfulness Practice

A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, often used in CBT techniques.

Orbitofrontal Cortex

A region of the brain involved in decision-making and impulse control; often hyperactive in individuals with OCD.

Striatum

A part of the brain involved in the execution of motor behavior; plays a role in the ‘worry circuit’ of OCD.

Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex (dACC)

A brain area associated with emotional regulation and decision making.

Catastrophizing

The cognitive distortion of anticipating the worst possible outcome.

Behavioral Activation

A treatment approach that focuses on helping individuals engage in rewarding activities to combat depression.

Neuroimaging

Techniques used to visualize the structure and function of the brain.

Phobias

Irrational fears of specific objects or situations that lead to avoidance behavior.

Optogenetics

A technique that uses light to control neurons that have been genetically modified to express light-sensitive ion channels.

Neuroplasticity

The ability of the brain to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Placebo Effect

A psychological phenomenon where patients experience improvements in their condition after receiving a treatment with no therapeutic value.

Cognitive Distortions

Faulty or negative thinking patterns that can perpetuate mental health issues.

Hippocampus

A brain region involved in memory formation, often affected in PTSD and depression.

Glucocorticoid Receptor Genes (FKBP5)

Genes involved in the stress response; linked to mood regulation.

Cognitive Reappraisal

The process of changing the way one thinks about a situation to alter its emotional impact.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

A therapeutic approach that focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and communication.

Social Anxiety Disorder

A chronic anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear and avoidance of social situations.

Therapeutic Alliance

The collaborative relationship between a therapist and a client, which can greatly influence treatment outcomes.

Chronic Stress

A prolonged and constant feeling of stress that can adversely affect health.

Neurogenesis

The process by which new neurons are formed in the brain.

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

A brain region implicated in executive functions, such as working memory and cognitive flexibility.

Ventral Prefrontal Regions

Areas of the brain involved in emotional regulation and self-perception.

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale

A widely used clinician-administered depression assessment scale.

Beck Depression Inventory

A 21-item self-report questionnaire used to assess the severity of depression.

Biochemical Imbalance

The theory that mental disorders are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors that a person feels they must perform in response to an obsession.

Prozac

A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed to treat depression.

SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

A class of drugs used to treat depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

Placebo-Controlled Trials

Studies where the effect of a treatment is compared with a placebo to assess its true efficacy.

Emotional Dysregulation

Inability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in a socially acceptable manner.

Automated Memory Reactivation

A method of enhancing memory retrieval through stimulation during specific tasks.

Fear Conditioning

A behavioral paradigm in which organisms learn to associate a neutral stimulus with an aversive event to elicit a fear response.

Affective Tasks

Tasks that involve emotional responses, often used to study the brain's reaction to emotions.

Longitudinal Studies

Research studies that follow subjects over a long period to observe changes over time.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

An imaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A psychiatric treatment where seizures are electrically induced to relieve severe depression.

Cognitive Monitoring

The practice of observing and evaluating one's cognitive processes.

Therapist-Client Matching

The process of pairing clients with therapists based on specific needs, personality, and treatment goals.

Motivational Interviewing

A counseling style focused on enhancing a person's motivation to change.

Chronic Pain

Pain that persists over weeks, months, or even years.

Vulnerability-Stress Model

A psychological theory that suggests mental disorders result from a combination of individual vulnerabilities and environmental stresses.

Psychosocial Factors

Social factors that can influence psychological well-being, such as family dynamics and community support.

Cognitive Flexibility

The mental ability to switch between thinking about different concepts or to think about multiple concepts simultaneously.

Neural Circuitry

The interconnected pathways within the brain that govern specific functions and behaviors.

Behavioral Monitoring

The practice of tracking behaviors over time to identify patterns and triggers.

Social Support

Emotional and practical support provided by family, friends, and communities.

Intervention Outcomes

The measurable results and effects that arise from a therapeutic intervention.

Adaptive Coping Strategies

Behavioral and cognitive strategies that help individuals manage stress effectively.

Chronic Relapse

The repeated return of symptoms in a person who has previously experienced recovery.

Positive Reinforcement

The introduction of a desirable stimulus to encourage the continuation of a desired behavior.

Nucleus Accumbens

A brain region involved in reward processing and pleasure.

Cognitive Load

The mental effort used in the working memory.

Psychological Assessment

The use of scientific methods to measure and understand an individual's psychological function.

Neurocognitive Outcomes

The cognitive results associated with brain activity and mental health treatment.

Genetic Engineering in Neuroscience

The use of genetic modification techniques to study and treat neurological disorders.

Chronic Mood Disorders

Long-term affective disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.

Emotion Regulation Strategies

Techniques used to manage and respond to emotional experiences.

Resting-State Brain Activity

The brain's functional activity when an individual is not focused on the external environment.

Treatment Hesitancy

Reluctance to seek or adhere to treatment plans in mental health.

Cognitive Behavioral Model

The framework that focuses on how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors.

Subgenual Cingulate Cortex

A brain region linked to mood regulation and often implicated in depression.

Executive Functioning

The mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.

Neurotransmitter Systems

Chemical pathways in the brain that influence many psychological functions.

Behavioral Experiments

Practical tests used in therapy to demonstrate the effects of certain behaviors or thoughts.

Pharmacotherapy

The treatment of disorders through medication.

Desensitization Techniques

Therapeutic approaches that expose patients to anxiety-inducing stimuli gradually.

Clinical Outcomes

The end result of health care interventions in terms of patient health, quality of life, and satisfaction.

Psychotropic Medication

Drugs that affect mood, perception, or behavior.

Stress Management Techniques

Strategies employed to reduce stress and improve coping skills.

Neural Pathways

Complex networks of neurons that communicate to facilitate function.

Cognitive Rehabilitation

Therapeutic approaches aimed at improving cognitive function lost due to injury or illness.

Research-Driven Treatment

Therapies supported by the results of empirical research.

Clinical Significance

The practical importance of a treatment's effect, contrasted with statistical significance.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A test used to evaluate the electrical activity in the brain.

Somatic Symptoms

Physical symptoms that may arise due to psychological factors.

Environmental Context

The surroundings or conditions that affect an individual's mental state.

Meta-Analysis

A statistical technique that combines results from multiple studies to understand an effect more comprehensively.