Key Concepts in Mental Health Disorders and Treatments

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to mental health disorders, their classifications, theories, and treatment approaches as discussed in the lecture.

Categorical model

A diagnostic system that categorizes mental disorders into distinct categories.

Comorbidity

The co-occurrence of distinct disorders that may interact with one another, making it rare for a patient to not meet criteria for comorbidity.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

A depressive disorder characterized by at least one major depressive episode, with symptoms causing significant distress or impairment.

Subthreshold Major Depression

Depressive symptoms below the threshold for a DSM-5 diagnosis that can still be responsive to treatment.

Network theory

A theory that suggests mental disorders arise from interactions between symptoms, which can create self-sustaining symptom networks.

Dimensional Model

An approach considering mental health on a continuum rather than in discrete categories, allowing for recognition of varying degrees of severity.

Hysteresis

The process where a symptom network remains activated even after the absence of a triggering event, creating lasting dysfunction.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors) that cause significant distress.

Bipolar I Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by at least one lifetime manic episode.

Cognitive Triad of Depression

The negative views about oneself, the world, and the future that can lead to or exacerbate depression.

Essentialism in mental health

The belief that there are fixed, underlying causes for mental disorders, often leading to stigma and misunderstanding.

Microaggressions

Subtle, often unintentional expressions of prejudice or discrimination that can contribute to negative mental health outcomes.

Treatment interventions for mental health disorders

Strategies used to address mental health issues, including symptom-focused interventions, external field interventions, and changes within the symptom network.

Negativistic thinking

A cognitive style characterized by an overly pessimistic view of oneself and one's circumstances, commonly found in individuals with depression.

Adjustment disorders

Development of emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor within three months of the stressor's occurrence.

Phase 1 of symptom network activation

Asymptomatic stage where symptoms are not yet activated.

Phase 3 of symptom network activation

Symptom activation that spreads via connections among symptoms.

Phase 4 of symptom network activation

A state where strong symptom connections maintain each other through feedback loops, potentially leading to chronic issues.

Prototypic cases

The most severe cases of disorders that exhibit all possible symptoms, which can distort diagnostic reliability for milder cases.

Resilience vs. vulnerability

Concepts in mental health that describe the capacity to withstand stressors versus the tendency to succumb to mental health challenges.

Biogenetic explanations for mental disorders

Theories suggesting that mental health issues have biological roots, which can affect how society views and treats individuals with such disorders.