Unit 8a - Reading Guide - AP Psychology

Psychological Disorders

Patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are considered abnormal or dysfunctional.

Dysfunctional

Thoughts, emotions, or behaviors that interfere with daily life and functioning.

Medical Model

A conceptual framework that views psychological disorders as medical diseases that can be diagnosed and treated.

Biopsychosocial Approach

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding psychological disorders.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors can affect gene expression and lead to psychological disorders.

Diagnostic Classification

The aim in psychiatry and psychology to provide a common language for diagnosing and understanding psychological disorders.

DSM-5

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, used for diagnosing mental disorders.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity.

Anxiety Disorders

Psychological disorders characterized by excessive and persistent fear and anxiety.

Social Anxiety Disorder

An intense fear of social situations where one may be judged by others.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

A disorder characterized by chronic and excessive worry about various aspects of life.

Panic Disorder

Recurring panic attacks and the fear of future attacks.

Phobias

Intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations.

Agoraphobia

Fear of places or situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions).

Obsessive Thoughts

Persistent and intrusive thoughts that cause anxiety.

Compulsive Behaviors

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety associated with obsessions.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A disorder that develops after exposure to a traumatic event, characterized by flashbacks, avoidance, and hyperarousal.

Survivor Resiliency

The ability of individuals to bounce back after experiencing trauma.

Posttraumatic Growth

Positive psychological change experienced as a result of adversity.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process through which associations are formed between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus.

Stimulus Generalization

The tendency to respond in the same way to different but similar stimuli.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

A chronic form of depression lasting for at least two years.

Bipolar Disorder

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

Mania

An abnormally elevated mood, energy, and activity levels.

Non-suicidal Self-Injury

Deliberate self-harm without the intention of ending one's life.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.

Psychotic Disorder

A mental disorder that causes a disconnection from reality.

Hallucinations

Perceptual experiences in the absence of external stimuli, such as hearing voices.

Delusions

False beliefs that are strongly held despite evidence to the contrary.

Disorganized Speech

A symptom of schizophrenia where the individual's speech is incoherent or disjointed.

Catatonia

A state of unresponsiveness and abnormal movements.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

A disorder characterized by an intense focus on physical symptoms that causes significant distress.

Dissociative Disorders

Mental disorders that involve a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

A severe form of dissociation where a person experiences two or more distinct identities.

Personality Disorder

A type of mental disorder characterized by unhealthy patterns of thinking, functioning, and behaving.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

A disorder characterized by extreme shyness and fear of rejection.

Borderline Personality Disorder

A disorder marked by instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

A disorder characterized by a disregard for other people's rights, often violating them.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and severe restriction of food intake.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging.

Binge-Eating Disorder

An eating disorder involving recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food.