Psychological Disorders and Stress Management: Key Concepts and Definitions

acute schizophrenia

A form of schizophrenia with sudden, severe psychotic symptoms that need immediate treatment.

chronic schizophrenia

A long-lasting type of schizophrenia with a slow onset and a poor response to treatment.

Catatonia

A state of being totally unresponsive, often with rigid posture or repetitive movements.

Flat Affect

Showing very little or no emotional expression, often seen in schizophrenia.

psychotic disorders

Severe mental disorders that cause a major disconnect from reality, involving symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.

schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Severe mental conditions marked by a break from reality, disorganized speech, hallucinations, and delusions.

Tardive Dyskinesia

A permanent side effect of long-term antipsychotic drug use, causing involuntary facial or body twitches.

personality disorders

Long-lasting, inflexible behavior patterns that differ from cultural norms and cause major life distress.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

A disorder involving extreme shyness, feelings of inadequacy, and fear of rejection.

Dependent Personality Disorder

A disorder involving an extreme need to be taken care of, leading to clingy and submissive behavior.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

A personality disorder marked by extreme perfectionism, control, and a rigid need for order.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

A personality disorder involving deep, pervasive distrust and suspicion of other people.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

A personality disorder marked by emotional coldness and zero interest in having social relationships.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

A personality disorder marked by extreme social anxiety, bizarre beliefs, and eccentric behaviors.

agoraphobia

Fear or avoidance of places (like crowds or open spaces) where escape might be difficult if panic strikes.

social anxiety disorder

An extreme fear or anxiety of being judged, embarrassed, or scrutinized in social situations.

depressive disorders

Mental health conditions marked by persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities.

Bipolar I

A type of bipolar disorder with at least one severe manic episode, often accompanied by depression.

Bipolar II

A type of bipolar disorder with milder manic episodes (hypomania) and severe depressive episodes.

dissociative disorders

Conditions involving a breakdown in memory, identity, or perception, often due to severe stress or trauma.

dissociative amnesia

A disorder involving partial or total memory loss of personal information, usually caused by trauma.

dissociative identity disorder

A disorder where a person has two or more distinct identities that control their behavior (formerly Multiple Personality Disorder).

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

A childhood disorder marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

autism spectrum disorders

Disorders marked by challenges in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors.

neurodevelopmental disorders

Brain development disorders that start in childhood, such as Autism or ADHD.

hoarding disorder

An extreme inability to throw things away, leading to severe clutter that disrupts daily life.

Culture-Bound Disorders

Mental health disorders that are only found within specific cultures.

Ataque de Nervios

A culture-bound syndrome in Latinos involving uncontrollable shouting, crying, and trembling.

Taijin Kyofusho

A Japanese culture-bound syndrome involving a deep fear of offending or embarrassing other people.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Traumatic events before age 18 that have long-term negative effects on health.

Discrimination

Unfair or prejudiced treatment of people based on categories like race, age, or gender.

Stigma

A negative label or mark of shame unfairly attached to a specific condition or person.

approach-approach conflict

A difficult choice between two highly desirable options.

approach-avoidance conflict

Wanting a goal but also fearing the negative consequences of getting it.

avoidance-avoidance conflict

A difficult choice between two bad or unwanted options.

relative deprivation

Feeling frustrated or cheated because you believe you are worse off compared to the people around you.

rumination

Overthinking or dwelling constantly on negative feelings, past mistakes, or worries.

self-control

The ability to manage and restrain your impulses and behavior to achieve long-term goals.

subjective well-being

A person's own personal measure of their overall happiness and life satisfaction.

tend-and-befriend response

A stress response (most common in women) involving nurturing others and seeking out social support.

broaden-and-build theory

The theory that positive emotions expand our thinking and build long-term psychological resilience.

gratitude

Feeling and expressing thankfulness, which is linked to increased happiness and well-being.

posttraumatic growth

Experiencing positive personal growth and finding new meaning in life after surviving a traumatic event.

Hypertension

High blood pressure, which can be made worse by stress.

Biofeedback

A technique using real-time data to help people control bodily functions like heart rate and muscle tension.

Meditation

A practice of focusing the mind (like through mindfulness) to achieve a clear, calm emotional state.

mindfulness meditation

Focusing purely on the present moment without judgment to reduce stress and increase self-awareness.