Psychological Disorders Overview

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to psychological disorders and their diagnosis.

Psychological Disorders

Behavior patterns or mental processes that cause serious personal suffering or interfere with a person's ability to cope with everyday life.

4 Ds of Psychological Disorders

Framework to assess psychological disorders: Deviance, Dysfunction, Distress, Danger.

Deviance

How normal the behavior is when compared to the average person.

Dysfunction

Behavior that impairs an individual's ability to function in everyday life.

Distress

Excessive emotional discomfort or distress experienced by the person.

Danger

The potential for harm to oneself or others.

DSM-5

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; a handbook for diagnosing mental disorders.

Anxiety Disorder

Excessive fear and anxiety that are disproportionate to the actual threat, causing significant distress or impairment.

Phobic Disorder

An excessive or irrational fear that is out of proportion to the actual danger.

Panic Disorder

A condition characterized by recurrent panic attacks and fear of future attacks, often leading to agoraphobia.

Agoraphobia

Fear of crowded or public spaces arising from panic attacks, which may prevent someone from leaving their home.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Excessive or unrealistic worry about life circumstances that lasts for at least 6 months.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A disorder where individuals are unable to stop thinking the same thoughts or performing the same tasks.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Intense fear and avoidance following a traumatic event, which can lead to flashbacks and emotional numbness.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A treatment that helps patients identify thought patterns, challenge anxieties, and develop coping strategies.

SSRIs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; medications that regulate serotonin, affecting anxiety and mood.

Mood Disorders

Emotional disorders where a person’s emotions are excessive or contrary to what is expected.

Depression

A persistent state of feeling sad, hopeless, and worthless, often leading to withdrawal from activities.

Bipolar Disorder

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

Mania

A state of abnormally elevated mood or energy, including high euphoria and poor judgment.