psy 341 exam 2

acute stress disorder

A short-term anxiety disorder that occurs within a month of experiencing a traumatic event, characterized by dissociation, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and hyperarousal.

autonomic nervous system (ans)

An extensive network of nerve fibers that connect the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to all other organs of the body. It controls involuntary activities such as breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, sweating, and pupil dilation.

corticosteroids

Hormones released by the adrenal cortex in response to stress, including cortisol, which helps regulate metabolism, immune response, and stress adaptation.

depersonalization derealization disorder

A dissociative disorder in which individuals feel detached from their own mental processes or body, experiencing a sense of unreality about themselves or their surroundings.

dissociation

A mental process in which a person disconnects from their thoughts, memories, identity, or perception, often in response to trauma or extreme stress.

Dissociative amnesia

A disorder characterized by an inability to recall important personal events or information, usually related to stress or trauma.

dissociative disorders

A group of disorders involving disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception, often occurring as a reaction to trauma.

dissociative fugue

A severe form of dissociative amnesia where a person forgets their identity and past and may travel to a new location, sometimes assuming a new identity.

dissociative identity disorder (did)

A disorder in which an individual develops two or more distinct personalities, also known as subpersonalities or alternate personalities, which take control at different times.

eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (emdr)

A therapy for PTSD and trauma that involves guided eye movements while recalling distressing memories, helping the brain process and integrate traumatic experiences.

hypothalamic pituitary- adrenal (hpa) pathway

A major stress response system in which the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release ACTH, which stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce corticosteroids (such as cortisol) that affect the body's arousal and stress responses.

parasympathetic nervous system

The division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for calming the body after stress, lowering heart rate, promoting digestion, and restoring energy (rest-and-digest system).

ptsd

A mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, hyperarousal, and emotional numbness.

self-hypnosis

A trance-like state that a person enters voluntarily to enhance relaxation, focus, or control over certain bodily processes; sometimes used in therapy to manage pain or trauma.

state-dependent learning

A phenomenon in which information learned in a specific state (e.g., emotional, physiological, or environmental) is best recalled when the person is in the same state.

sympathetic nervous system

The part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for fight-or-flight responses by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness in response to stress.

automatic thoughts

In cognitive therapy, persistent, often negative, thoughts that occur automatically in response to situations and contribute to emotional distress.

bipolar disorder

A mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania or hypomania.

bipolar 1 disorder

A type of bipolar disorder involving at least one full manic episode, often alternating with depressive episodes.

bipolar 2 disorder

A type of bipolar disorder characterized by at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode, but without full manic episodes.

cognitive triad

A concept in cognitive therapy that describes three negative thought patterns common in depression: negative views about oneself, the world, and the future.

cyclothymic disorder

A milder form of bipolar disorder involving chronic mood swings between hypomania and mild depression for at least two years.

depression

A mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness, lack of energy, loss of interest in activities, and feelings of hopelessness.

major depressive disorder

A severe form of depression involving prolonged and intense feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and lack of interest in daily activities, lasting at least two weeks.

mania

A state of extreme energy, euphoria, impulsivity, and sometimes irritability, often seen in bipolar disorder.

norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, alertness, and stress responses; often implicated in depression and anxiety disorders.

seretonin

A neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in mood regulation, sleep, appetite, and overall well-being; imbalances are linked to depression and anxiety.

symbolic loss

In psychodynamic theory, the idea that a perceived or imagined loss (e.g., loss of a loved one's approval) can lead to depression, even if no actual loss has occurred.

unipolar depression

A mood disorder involving depression without any episodes of mania or hypomania

behavioral activation

A therapy for depression that focuses on increasing engagement in positive, rewarding activities to improve mood.

brain stimulation

A category of treatments that use electrical or magnetic stimulation to improve brain function in mood disorders.

cognitive therapy

A treatment that helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns to improve mood and behavior.

deep brain stimulation (dbs)

A surgical procedure that implants electrodes in the brain to treat severe depression and other neurological disorders

electroconvulsive therapy

A treatment for severe depression that involves applying electrical currents to the brain to induce a controlled seizure, which can relieve symptoms.

interpersonal psychotherapy (ipt)

A therapy that focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and communication skills to help treat depression.

lithium

A mood-stabilizing medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder by reducing manic and depressive episodes.

MAO inhibitor

An antidepressant that works by blocking the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine

mood stabilizing drugs

Medications, such as lithium and anticonvulsants, that help regulate mood swings in bipolar disorder

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ssris)

a class of antidepressants that increase serotonin levels by blocking its reuptake in the brain

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (tms)

A noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain activity in depression.

tricyclic antidepressants

An older class of antidepressants that block the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, increasing their levels in the brain.

vagus nerve stimulation

A treatment for depression involving electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to influence mood-related brain regions

crisis intervention

A short-term approach to helping individuals in acute distress, providing immediate support and problem-solving strategies.

death darer

A person who has mixed feelings about dying and engages in risky behavior that may lead to death

death ignorer

A person who does not believe that death is the end of existence and may seek death for spiritual or religious reasons.

death initiator

A person who believes they are already dying and hastens the process (e.g., a terminally ill individual committing suicide).

death seeker

A person who actively desires and plans to end their life.

dichotomous thinking

A cognitive distortion in which individuals see situations in extreme, all-or-nothing terms (e.g., 'If I fail this test, my life is over').

hopelessness

A belief that no positive future outcomes are possible, often a key predictor of suicide.

interpersonal theory of suicide

A theory suggesting that suicide results from a combination of perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and an acquired capability for self-harm.

retrospective analysis

A method of studying suicide by examining the circumstances, behaviors, and psychological state of the deceased.

sub intentional death

A death in which the person engages in behaviors that increase the likelihood of dying, but without a clear intent to die.

suicide

The act of intentionally ending one's own life.

suicide prevention program

Community-based or clinical programs designed to identify and help individuals at risk of suicide.