Abnormal Psychology DEFINITIONS Final

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) Definition

A mental disorder in which individuals experience a shattering of their unified identity into at least two separate but coexisting personalities with different memories, behavior patterns, and emotions

Factitious Disorder

Pretending to have a physical illness or mental disorder, despite no obvious external rewards for having the disease

Malingering

The purposeful production of false or grossly exaggerated complaints with the goal of receiving a benefit

DSM-5

Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental diseases edition 5

Stress

A process where environmental demands strain an organism’s adaptive capacity, leading to both psychological and biological changes that can increase the risk of illness

Body Mass Index (BMI) Definition

A measure that uses weight and height to identify individuals who may be at risk for weight-related health problems

Anorexia Nervosa

A disorder whose main characteristics are an unreasonable fear of gaining weight, disturbances in the perception of one’s body shape or size, and the relentless pursuit of thinness, leading to a significantly low body weight

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating in which large quantities of food are consumed in one sitting, followed by purging or other efforts to prevent weight gain

Circadian Rhythm

An internally cued rhythmic schedule of biological activity that repeats roughly every 24 hours

Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSI/AD) Definition

A sexual dysfunction in women marked by low or no sexual interest or arousal

Erectile Disorder

A sexual dysfunction characterized by a recurrent failure to obtain or maintain an erection adequate for sexual activity

Gender Dysphoria

A mental disorder that describes strong incongruence between one’s assigned or expressed gender that causes distress to the individual

Genito Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPD) Definition

A sexual dysfunction in women that describes tension or pain during intercourse or penetration, or fear of pain or penetration

Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

A sexual disorder characterized by a man’s lack of sexual thoughts and desire for sexual activity

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Definition

The amount of unmetabolized ethanol (alcohol) absorbed into the blood

Delirium Tremens (DTs) Definition

A set of symptoms, including muscle tremors, hallucinations, and profuse sweating, that result from withdrawal from heavy alcohol use

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) Definition

Measured brain responses that occur as the direct result of a specific, sensory, cognitive, or motor event

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Definition

A hallucinogenic drug that excites the central nervous system

Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) Definition

A persistent and problematic pattern of alcohol use that causes significant distress and impairment

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) Definition

A term used in health care to refer to daily self-care and independent living activities

Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Definition

A form of protein produced by a gene on chromosome 21, thought to mutate in people with Alzheimer’s disease

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) Definition

A protein that transports cholesterol in the blood

Neurocognitive Disorder (NCD) Definition

A mental disorder involving a loss of cognitive function in one or more key domains

Sexual Dysfunction Modifers

Lifelong

Acquired

Generalized

Situational

Somatization

Expressing mental distress or conflict through physical symptoms.

Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (MUPS)

Symptoms that are present (experienced by the person) but cannot be accounted for by medical testing or investigation