Psychology 301 Comprehensive Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to anxiety disorders, somatic symptom disorders, and mood disorders in psychology.

Anxiety

An emotional state characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.

Fear

A response to a real or perceived immediate threat, often provoking a fight or flight response.

Panic

An abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, accompanied by physical symptoms.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A condition involving persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life for at least 6 months.

Panic Disorder

Characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and the fear of experiencing more attacks, lasting for 1 month or more.

Agoraphobia

Fear of being in two or more places from which escape might be difficult; often associated with panic attacks, lasting 6 months.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

A treatment method focusing on changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors through practical self-help strategies.

Exposure Therapy

A behavioral therapy technique involving the exposure of the patient to the feared object or context without any danger to overcome their anxiety.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A condition characterized by the presence of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors) that are time-consuming and distressing.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, characterized by re-experiencing the trauma and avoidance behaviors.

Adjustment Disorder

A condition resulting from a significant life stressor, marked by difficulty adjusting to the change and lasting up to 6 months.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

An obsession with perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance, which may lead to compulsive behaviors.

Trichotillomania

A mental disorder characterized by the compulsive pulling out of one's own hair.

Excoriation

Compulsive skin picking leading to lesions or scars, significantly affecting one's health and well-being.

Major Depressive Episode

A severe mood disorder lasting 2 weeks or more, inclusive of cognitive and physical symptoms like feelings of worthlessness.

Mania

A period of abnormally elevated mood or irritability, often accompanied by increased goal-directed activity lasting at least one week.

Hypomania

A milder form of mania not causing marked functional impairment, lasting at least 4 days.

Bipolar I Disorder

A mental disorder featuring episodes of severe mood swings from mania to major depression.

Bipolar II Disorder

Characterized by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but no full-blown manic episodes.

Depressive Attributional Style

A cognitive bias that attributes negative events to internal, stable, and global factors, fostering a sense of hopelessness.

Learned Helplessness

A behavioral condition where individuals feel powerless to change their situation, often leading to depression.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

A class of antidepressants that increase the level of serotonin in the brain to treat depression and anxiety.

Suicide Risk Factors

Conditions that increase the likelihood of suicide, including a history of suicidal behavior, psychological disorders, and stressful life events.