case study prep for 4/17

psychology

Anorexia nervosa

patients restrict their food intake relative to their energy requirements through eating less, exercising more, and/or purging food through laxatives and vomiting.

Bulimia nervosa

regular, often secretive bouts of overeating followed by self-induced vomiting or purging, strict dieting, or extreme exercise, associated with persistent and excessive concern with body weight.

ASD

Autism Spectrum Disorder, a developmental disorder characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors.

ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can affect daily functioning.

Schizophrenia

A serious mental disorder characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, and sense of self, often leading to dysfunction in daily life.

Major depressive

disorder, a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, and various emotional and physical problems.

Persistent depressive

disorder, also known as dysthymia, is a chronic form of depression involving long-term low mood and can lead to significant impairment in daily functioning.

Bipolar I

disorder, a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

Bipolar II

alternating patterns of major depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes (less severe, shorter-lasting highs than full mania)

Phobia

an intense, irrational, and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that poses little actual danger

Agoraphobia

intense fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable if a panic attack occurs, often leading to avoidance of public spaces, crowds, or being alone

Panic Disorder

an anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected, recurring panic attacks—sudden waves of intense fear with physical symptoms like racing heart, chest pain, and dizziness

Social Anxiety

an intense, persistent fear of being watched, judged, or embarrassed in social situations

GAD

chronic, uncontrollable, and excessive worry about everyday things, lasting at least 6 months.

Ataque de Nervios

It is a culturally bound syndrome in Latino populations, often characterized by intense emotional outbursts, trembling, shouting, crying, heat in the chest, and a sense of being out of control, typically triggered by acute family stress

Taijin Kyofusho

Japanese culture-bound syndrome characterized by intense fear of offending or embarrassing others through one’s own body odor, appearance, or actions

Cognitive triad

a cognitive model explaining depression as a result of three types of automatic negative thoughts: negative views about the self, the world, and the future

maladaptive thinking

inflexible, irrational, and unhelpful thinking patterns that negatively affect mood, behavior, and mental well-being

cognitive restructuring

a core Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) technique used to identify, challenge, and alter irrational or maladaptive thought patterns (cognitive distortions) that contribute to emotional distress

Systematic Desensitization

an evidence-based behavioral therapy used to treat phobias and anxiety disorders by gradually exposing patients to feared stimuli while employing relaxation techniques

Aversive Conditioning

is a behavioral technique that pairs an unpleasant or noxious stimulus with an undesirable behavior to reduce or eliminate that behavior.

token economy

a structured behavior modification system where individuals earn tokens—such as stickers, points, or fake money—immediately after displaying targeted positive behaviors

anti anxiety

help manage anxiety disorders by regulating brain chemistry, reducing physical symptoms, or changing thought patterns

antidepressants

prescription medications, including SSRIs (like Zoloft, Prozac) and SNRIs (like Cymbalta), used to treat depression, anxiety, and chronic pain by balancing neurotransmitters.

lithium

primarily used in medicine as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder

antipsychotics

used to manage psychosis, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, by reducing dopamine activity in the brain

Biofeedback

a non-invasive, mind-body therapy that uses sensors to monitor involuntary bodily functions—such as heart rate, muscle tension, and brain activity—providing real-time data to help you learn control over them

ECT

a highly effective, safe medical procedure used primarily for severe, treatment-resistant depression and mental illnesses

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

using magnetic fields to stimulate underactive nerve cells in the brain, primarily treating treatment-resistant depression and OCD

Lesioning

the process of damaging or destroying tissue to treat chronic pain or neurological disorders, or to study brain function

Lobotomy

Developed in the 1930s, it aimed to reduce tension and symptoms, but often resulted in profound apathy, personality changes, and irreversible cognitive damage, leading to its decline upon the introduction of effective antipsychotic medications