Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health

Health Psychology

a subfield of psychology that explores the impact of psychological, behavioral, and cultural factors on health and wellness.

Stress

the process by which we perceive and respond to certain events, called stressors, that we appraise as threatening or challenging

Hypertension

This is when blood pressure remains consistently high over time

Stressor

anything that brings on the reaction to stress.

Eustress

is a positive stress response that can be psychological, physical, or biochemical

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Selye’s concept of the body’s adaptive response to stress in three phases – alarm, resistance, exhaustion. *Remember: Selye’s three stages ARE (alarm, resistance, exhaustion) a GAS.

Alarm stage

encounter threatening stimulus, fight or flight activated. If threat avoided, stage ends

Resistance stage

if the threat is not avoided there's a prolonged state of stress. Activation of stress cannot be kept up indefinitely.

Exhaustion stage

energy and strength are used up by maintaining resistance, can become vulnerable to illness, fatigue & injury.

Fight-or-Flight Response

This is an automatic physiological reaction to stressful situations where individuals feel threatened.

Tend-and-befriend response

is a theory that suggests humans respond to stress by nurturing others (tending) and seeking social support (befriending).

Problem-focused coping

attempting to alleviate stress directly — by changing the stressor or the way we interact with that stressor.

Emotion-focused coping

attempting to alleviate stress by avoiding or ignoring a stressor and attending to emotional needs related to our stress reaction

Positive Psychology

the scientific study of human flourishing, with the goals of promoting strengths and virtues that foster well-being, resilience, and positive emotions, and that help individuals and communities to thrive.

Well-Being

self-perceived happiness or satisfaction with life. Used along with measures of objective well-being (for example, physical and economic indicators) to evaluate people’s quality of life.

Resilience

the personal strength that helps people cope with stress and recover from adversity and even trauma

Gratitude

an appreciative emotion people often experience when they benefit from other’s actions or recognize their own good fortune.

Signature Strengths

are the most prominent and essential character strengths that are central to a person's identity

Virtue

is a quality or characteristic that is considered beneficial to psychological health and has positive connotations in a particular society.

Temperance

forgiveness, humility, prudence, and self-regulation

Transcendence

appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, and spirituality

Humanity

kindness, love, and social intelligence

Posttraumatic growth

Positive psychological changes as a result of struggling with extremely challenging circumstances and life crises

Psychological Disorder

a syndrome marked by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior

Dysfunctional

Interfering with the ability to conduct daily activities in a constructive way

Distressful

The person and others feel pain and discomfort associated with his or her emotions, thoughts, or behaviors

Deviant

goes against the norm of behavior (may be abnormal in one culture, but normal in another)

Labeling disorders positives

treatment

Labeling disorders negatives

stigmas

American Psychological Association (APA)

The APA is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. It's responsible for setting ethical guidelines for psychological research.

DSM-V

the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition; a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD)

is a system used by the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify both physical and mental diseases

Eclectic Approach

an approach to psychotherapy that uses techniques from various forms of therapy.

Behavioral Perspective

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on maladaptive learned associations between or among responses to stimuli.

Psychodynamic Perspective

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on unconscious thoughts and experiences, often developed during childhood.

Humanistic Perspective

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on a lack of social support and being unable to fulfill one’s potential.

Cognitive Perspective

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on maladaptive thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, or emotions.

Evolutionary Perspective

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on behaviors and mental processes that reduce the likelihood of survival.

Sociocultural Perspective

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on maladaptive social and cultural relationships and dynamics.

Biological Perspective

proposes that the causes of mental disorders focus on physiological or genetic issues

Biopsychosocial

The idea is that all three components influence behavior and thinking. The approach encompasses (1) biological, (2) psychological, and (3) socio-cultural influences.

Diathesis-Stress Model

the concept that genetic predispositions (diathesis) combine with environmental stressors (stress) to influence psychological disorder.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

central nervous system abnormalities (usually in the brain) that start in childhood and alter thinking and behavior (as in intellectual limitations or a psychological disorder).

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

a psychological disorder marked by extreme inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity

Autism Spectrum Disorder

disorders that are typically characterized by social deficits, communication difficulties, stereotyped or repetitive behaviors and interests, and in some cases, cognitive delays.

Schizophrenia

characterized by issues in one or more of these five areas: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking or speech, disorganized motor behavior, and negative symptoms.Schizophrenia can be experienced as an acute or chronic condition.

Acute Schizophrenia

a form of schizophrenia that can begin at any age; frequently occurs in response to a traumatic event, and from which recovery is much more likely.

Chronic Schizophrenia

a form of schizophrenia in which symptoms usually appear by late adolescence or early adulthood. As people age, psychotic episodes last longer and recovery periods shorten.

Delusions

(false beliefs) are positive symptoms and may manifest in ways such as delusions of persecution or grandeur.

Hallucinations

(false perceptions) are positive symptoms and may involve one or more of the senses.

Disorganized thinking or speech

is a positive symptom and may manifest as speaking in ways such as speaking in a word salad (stringing together words in nonsensical ways)

Disorganized motor behavior

may manifest as catatonia. Catatonia, or disordered movement, may be experienced as excitement (a positive symptom manifestation) or stupor (a negative symptom manifestation).

Catatonia

A pattern of extreme psychomotor symptoms which may include catatonic stupor, rigidity, or posturing

Flat Affect

emotionless state (unchanging facial expression, decreased spontaneous movements, a lack of expressive gestures, poor eye contact, lack of vocal inflections, and slowed speech)

Dopamine Hypothesis of Schizophrenia

is a theory that suggests that the disorder is caused by abnormal dopamine activity in the brain

Depressive Disorders

are characterized by the presence of sad, empty, or irritable mood along with physical and cognitive changes that affect a person’s ability to function

Major Depressive Disorder

Involves intense depressed mood, reduced interest or pleasure in activities, loss of energy, and problems in making decisions for a minimum of 2 weeks (symptoms include loss of appetite, sleeping problems, low energy and self-esteem, loss of focus, and hopelessness)

Persistent Depressive Disorder

a chronic mental disorder that causes low-level depression that lasts longer than major depressive disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Mood swings alternating between periods of major depression and mania. Rapid cycling is usually short periods of mania followed almost immediately by deep pression, usually for longer duration

Mania

euphoric, giddy, easily irritated, with: exaggerated optimism, hyper sociality and sexuality, delight in everything, impulsivity and overactivity, racing thoughts; the mind won’t settle down, and little desire for sleep

Bipolar I disorder

is a type of bipolar spectrum disorder that involves extreme mood swings, including manic and depressive episodes

Bipolar II disorder

is a mood disorder characterized by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not full manic episodes

Anxiety Disorders

Psychological disorders characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Experience excessive anxiety under most circumstances and worry about practically anything. *Symptoms include uncontrollable and ongoing anxiety and worry, The symptoms include at least three of the following: edginess, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, sleep problems

Panic disorder

involves the experience of panic attacks (unanticipated and overwhelming biological, cognitive, and emotional experiences of fear/anxiety).

Ataque de nervios

found among Latinos, characterized by shaking, uncontrollable shouting or crying, a sense of rising heat, loss of control, and verbal or physical aggression, followed by fainting or seizure like episodes

Phobic Disorder

Occurs when a phobia - an irrational fear of an object or situation - becomes so disruptive that it interferes with normal functioning. Most people have some form of phobia, but it does not interfere with their lives to a large degree. acrophobia (heights) or arachnophobia (spiders).

Social Anxiety Disorder

intense fear of social situations, leading to avoidance of such. Fear of being visibly nervous in front of others .Extreme anticipatory anxiety about social interactions and performance situations, such as speaking to a group. Fear of eating in public

Taijin Kyofusho

is a culture-bound anxiety disorder experienced mainly by Japanese people in which people fear others are judging their bodies as undesirable,offensive,or unpleasant.

Agoraphobia

Afraid to be in public situations from which escape might be difficult or help unavailable if panic-like or embarrassing symptoms were to occur

Causes of Anxiety Disorder

focus on learned associations between and among stimuli, maladaptive thinking or emotional responses, and biological or genetic sources.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Characterized by pattern of persistent, unwanted thoughts and behaviors

Obsessions

Persistent thoughts, ideas, images, or impulses that invade consciousness (concern with dirt, germs, and toxins -something bad happening 24/7 -symmetry, order, exactness)

Compulsions

Repetitive and rigid behaviors or thoughts that people must perform to prevent or reduce anxiety (excessive hand-washing and bathing -repeating rituals -checking doors, locks, and homework multiple times

Hoarding Disorder

characterized by a persistent difficulty in discarding possessions

Causes

involve learned associations between and among stimuli, maladaptive thinking or emotional responses, and biological or genetic sources.

Dissociative Disorder

is defined as a disruption causing inconsistencies in consciousness. A person may have memory loss or a complete change in identity. *Caused by a traumatic or stressful event (a way to deal with the stress of the event)

Dissociative Identity Disorder

A rare dissociative disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct and alternating personalities. Formerly called multiple personality disorder.

Dissociative Amnesia

Loss of memory for a traumatic event or period of time that is too painful for an individual to remember

Dissociative Fugue

Dissociative fugue (formerly called psychogenic fugue) is a psychological state in which a person loses awareness of their identity or other important autobiographical information and also engages in some form of unexpected travel

Trauma and stressor-related disorders

are characterized by exposure to a traumatic or stressful event with subsequent psychological distress

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A disorder characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, numbness of feeling, and/or insomnia that lingers for four weeks or more after a traumatic experience. Victims re-experience the traumatic event in nightmares about the event, or flashbacks in which they relieve the event. Symptoms: Hypervigilance, Flashback, Hostility

Feeding and eating disorders

are characterized by altered consumption or absorption of food that impairs health or psychological functioning

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder in which a person (usually an adolescent female) maintains a starvation diet despite being significantly (15 percent or more) underweight

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder in which a person alternates binge eating (usually of high-calorie foods) with purging (by vomiting or laxative use) or fasting.

Personality disorders

(which fall into three clusters) are characterized by enduring patterns of internal experience and behavior that is deviant from one’s culture; is pervasive and inflexible; begins in adolescence or early adulthood; is stable over time; and leads to personal distress or impairment. *Cluster A - the "odd, eccentric" cluster; Cluster B - the "dramatic, emotional, erratic" cluster; Cluster C- (the "anxious, fearful" cluster.

Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD)

Cluster A, Irrational fear, inability to trust others, often thinks in worst case scenario situations

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Cluster A, Detachment from emotions and relationships, little to no interest in any social interaction

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Cluster A, Eccentric and/or erratic thought, behavioral, and speech patterns, delusions may be present

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

Cluster B, Lack of empathy, patterns of manipulation for selfish benefits, little to no remorse; exhibiting a lack of conscience for doing something wrong

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Cluster B, Extreme emotional swings and perceptions of the world, black and white thinking, impulsive behavior

Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)

Cluster B, Dramatic and impulsive behaviors, obsessive need to be the center of attention, people-pleasing

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

Cluster B, Grandiose delusions, manipulation, perfectionism, defensive and upset if criticized

Avoidant Personality Disorder (AVPD)

Cluster C, Low self-esteem, avoidance of social interactions, afraid of rejection and criticism

Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD)

Cluster C, Abandonment issues, anxiety when alone, afraid of rejection and criticism

Obsessive-compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Cluster C, Obsessions and compulsions regarding perfectionism, unable to notice any problems present

Psychotherapy

treatment involving psychological techniques; consists of interactions between a trained therapist and someone seeking to overcome psychological difficulties or achieve personal growth

Meta-Analysis

process of analyzing the results of many studies that have measured the same variables

Evidence-based practice (EBP)

in psychology is a holistic approach to treatment that aims to improve outcomes by using the best available research, clinical expertise, and patient characteristics

Therapeutic Alliance (TA)

is the collaborative relationship between a therapist and a client, where both work together to achieve the client's therapeutic goals