Chapter 3 Personal Health: Psychological

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to psychological health, including definitions of psychological disorders, the importance of defense mechanisms, and suicide prevention strategies.

Psychological Health

A broad concept defined negatively (absence of sickness) or positively (presence of wellness), contributing to every dimension of wellness.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

A theory proposed by Abraham Maslow outlining a sequence of needs: physiological, safety, love/belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization.

Self-Actualization

A state in which individuals have fulfilled a significant measure of their human potential, characterized by qualities such as realism, acceptance, autonomy, authenticity, intimacy, and creativity.

Positive Psychology

A field focused on defining and achieving goals related to happiness through maximizing positive emotions, cultivating positive traits, and working toward meaningful ends.

Cognitive Distortions

Patterns of negative thinking that can exaggerate negative aspects of events, making them seem worse than they are.

Defense Mechanisms

Psychological strategies used to cope with reality and maintain self-image, which can be either healthy (like humor) or maladaptive (like denial).

Mood Disorders

Emotional disturbances, primarily including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, that are intense and persistent enough to affect normal functioning.

Anxiety Disorders

Disorders characterized by excessive fear or worry, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

Suicide Prevention

Strategies to reduce risk factors such as hopelessness and social isolation, while promoting protective factors like social connection and engagement in treatment.

Biopsychosocial Model

A model understanding mental illness through biological, psychological, and social factors, often utilized in therapeutic contexts.