AP Psychology- Unit 10: Somatoform, Dissociative, and Mood Disorders

4/22 - 4/23}

Hypochondiasis

A psychological condition where a person is excessively worried about having a serious illness, despite little or no medical evidence.  

(In other words} Worrying a lot about being sick even when you are not. 

Example: Someone spends hours researching symptoms online and believes they have cancer after feeling a small pain in their side.     

Conversion Disorder

A condition where psychological stress manifests as physical symptoms, such as paralysis or blindness, without a medical explanation.    

(In other words} Feeling physical symptoms that are caused by emotional issues, not by illness. 

 Example: A person suddenly loses their ability to walk after experiencing a traumatic event, but medical tests show no physical problems.       

Dissociative Identity Disorder (used to be known as multiple personality disorder)

A mental health condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states or identities within a single individual.

(In other words} When someone has different identities or personalities that take control at different times. 

Example: A person may have a "child" identity that is playful and carefree, and an "adult" identity that is serious and responsible.

Dissociative Amnesia

A type of memory loss that occurs when a person cannot remember important personal information, usually related to trauma or stress.                     

(In other words} Forgetting important things about yourself, often because of stress or trauma. 

Example: A person may forget their name or past experiences after a traumatic event, like an accident.      

Dissociative Fugue

A rare disorder characterized by sudden, unexpected travel away from home and the inability to recall one’s past life, often due to trauma or stress.      

(In other words} Suddenly disappearing from home and not remembering who you are or where you came from.   

Example: Someone might leave their city and start a new life in another state, completely forgetting their previous identity.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in daily activities.                                                      

(In other words} A serious condition where someone feels very sad and uninterested in things they used to enjoy for a long time. 

Example: A person who used to love painting has lost interest in it and feels sad most days for over two weeks.  

Bipolar Disorder

A mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).  

(In other words} A condition where a person feels very happy and energetic at times, and very sad and tired at other times. 

Example: An individual might spend days feeling euphoric and starting many projects, followed by a period where they can barely get out of bed.