Mental Illness and the Brain

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to mental illness and its treatment.

Mental Illness

A disorder that affects a person's thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood.

Neurology

The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system disorders.

Psychiatry

The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders that affect the mind or psyche.

Psychoanalysis

A therapeutic approach pioneered by Sigmund Freud that focuses on unconscious processes influenced by early childhood experiences.

Behaviorism

A psychological approach championed by B.F. Skinner that rejects the subconscious and focuses on observable behaviors.

Mental Health

A state of well-being in which individuals realize their abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their community.

Panic Disorder

A psychological disorder characterized by recurring, unprovoked panic attacks.

Agoraphobia

An intense fear of leaving home or being in open or enclosed spaces.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A psychological disorder involving excessive worry that disrupts daily life for more than six months.

Social Anxiety Disorder

A fear of being scrutinized by others, leading to avoidance of social situations.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

An anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive memories and hyperarousal after a traumatic event.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A condition characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors performed to alleviate anxiety.

HPA Axis

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a system that regulates stress response.

Affective Disorders

Mood disorders characterized by disordered feelings, such as Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mood disorder marked by persistent feelings of sadness and lack of interest in activities.

Bipolar Disorder

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

Monoamine Hypothesis

The theory that depression is caused by insufficient activity of monoaminergic neurons.

Neurogenesis

The process of generating new neurons, which can be affected in depression.

Circadian Rhythms

Biological processes that display an endogenous, entrainable oscillation of about 24 hours.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A medical treatment involving electrically induced seizures for patients with severe depression.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.

Schizophrenia

A mental disorder characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, and sense of self.

Positive Symptoms

Symptoms of schizophrenia that present additional behaviors, such as hallucinations and delusions.

Negative Symptoms

Symptoms that reflect a decrease in normal functions, such as emotional flatness and lack of motivation.

Cognitive Symptoms

Symptoms related to deficits in attention, memory, and executive functioning in schizophrenia.

Dopamine Hypothesis

The theory that hyperactivity of dopamine neurons contributes to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.

Glutamate Hypothesis

The theory that schizophrenia is caused by decreased activation of NMDA receptors.

Antipsychotics

Medications used to manage schizophrenia, primarily targeting positive symptoms.

Atypical Antipsychotics

Medications that address both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Diathesis-Stress Hypothesis

A theory suggesting that predisposition to a disorder is triggered by stressful life events.

SSRIs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, commonly used antidepressants.

CRH

Corticotropin-releasing hormone, a hormone involved in the stress response.

Hyperarousal

An increased state of awareness and response to stimuli, often seen in anxiety and PTSD.

Behavioral Therapy

Treatment focusing on modifying maladaptive behaviors and learning new responses.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A psycho-social intervention that aims to improve mental health by changing cognitive distortions.

Heritability Studies

Research assessing the extent to which genetics contribute to individual differences in a trait, such as mental disorders.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins, who share 100% of their genes.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins, who share approximately 50% of their genes.

RORA and RORB Genes

Genes associated with circadian rhythms that are linked to affective disorders.

Anhedonia

The inability to experience pleasure, often associated with depression.

Therapeutic Lag

The delay in therapeutic effects seen with some medications, such as SSRIs.

Cognitive Impairment

Difficulties with cognitive tasks, often experienced by individuals with schizophrenia.

Chlorpromazine

The first antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia.

Aripiprazole

An atypical antipsychotic that acts as a partial agonist at dopamine receptors.

NMDA Receptors

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors that play a key role in synaptic plasticity and memory function.

Dopamine Antagonist

A drug that blocks dopamine receptors, often used in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Stress,

A psychological and physical reaction to pressure or threats.

Treatment-Resistant Depression

A form of depression that does not respond to typical treatments.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

A treatment method involving electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to alleviate depression.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

A neurosurgical procedure that involves implanting electrodes in the brain to alleviate severe depression.

Hippocampus

A brain region involved in memory and emotional responses; often implicated in depression.

Amygdala

A brain region involved in emotional processing and fear response.

Cognition

The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought.

Suicidal Ideation

The contemplation or consideration of suicide.

Cortisol

A hormone often released during stress, related to the HPA axis.

Environmental Triggers

External factors that can provoke the onset of a psychological disorder.

FFR (Fluency Failure Rate)

Measure related to cognitive processing and efficiency.

Benzodiazepines

A class of medications primarily used to treat anxiety, acting as GABA agonists.

GABA

Gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve transmission in the brain.

Psychoeducation

An approach that provides patients with information about their condition to improve treatment adherence.

Cognitive Distortions

Irrational thought patterns that can influence mental health.

Mental Health Stigma

Prejudice or discrimination against individuals with mental health conditions.

Social Support

A network of family, friends, and community resources that provide emotional and practical assistance.

Genetic Predisposition

An increased likelihood of developing a disorder based on genetics.

Psychotherapy

A treatment method for psychological disorders that involves talking with a therapist.

Major Depressive Episode

A period during which an individual experiences the symptoms of major depressive disorder.

Tryptophan Depletion

A method used in research to investigate serotonin's role in mood regulation.

Mindfulness

A mental practice that focuses on being aware of the present moment without judgment.

Affective Neuroscience

The study of the neural mechanisms of emotion.

Cognitive Restructuring

A therapeutic process aimed at changing negative thought patterns.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, usually winter.

Cortisol Dysregulation

Imbalance in cortisol levels that can affect mental health.

Medications,

Substances used to treat health conditions, including mental illness.

Self-Medication

The practice of using substances to alleviate unpleasant symptoms.

Clinical Trials

Research studies conducted to evaluate the efficacy of medical interventions.

Support Groups

Gatherings of individuals with shared experiences, offering support and advice.

Substance Use Disorder

A condition characterized by an individual's inability to stop using a substance despite negative consequences.