Physical & Mental Health

Health Psychology

Subfield providing psychology’s contribution to behavioral medicine and explores the impact of psychological, behavioral, and cultural factors on health and wellness.

Psychoneuroimmunology

Study of how psychological, neural, and endocrine processes together affect the immune system and resulting health.

Stress

Process by which we perceive and respond to certain events, called stressors, that we appraise as threatening or challenging.

Distress

Stress perceived as negative events we typically think of when we think of "stress."

Eustress

Stress perceived as positive, which still involves heightened arousal.

Resilience

The personal strength that helps people cope with stress and recover from adversity.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Three-stage process: Alarm reaction, resistance, and exhaustion, describing how the body responds to stress.

Type A Personality

Competitive, hard-driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger-prone individuals.

Type B Personality

Easygoing, relaxed individuals, often less prone to heart disease compared to Type A.

Learned Helplessness

Hopelessness and passive resignation learned when unable to avoid repeated adverse events.

Approach-Avoidance Conflict

When faced with a choice that has both positive and negative consequences.

Social Support

Having an intimate group of friends and family that encourages and helps you, promoting good health.

Positive Psychology

Scientific field focusing on studying strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

Coping

Alleviating stress using emotional, cognitive, or behavioral methods.

Behavioral Therapy

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

Cognitive Therapy

Helps people deal with depression and anxiety by teaching adaptive ways of thinking and acting.

Drug Therapy

Using medications to treat psychological disorders.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A treatment for severe depression where seizures are induced to alleviate symptoms.

Panic Disorder

An anxiety disorder marked by episodes of intense dread and fear.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Characterized by persistent unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and the need to engage in specific behaviors (compulsions).

Antisocial Personality Disorder

A disorder characterized by a lack of conscience and a willingness to violate others' rights.

Schizophrenia

A psychotic disorder characterized by disorganized thinking and perceptions, and a loss of contact with reality.

Bipolar Disorder

Involves episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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

Happiness

A state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.

Feel-Good, Do-Good Phenomenon

When we feel happy, we are more likely to help others.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of therapy that aims to alter the way people act and think.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

A disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states.

Community Therapy

Therapy model where treatment is administered in a community rather than individual setting.

Therapeutic Alliance

A bond of trust and mutual understanding established between therapist and client.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Mood disorder experienced during dark winter months, often treated with light exposure.