Psychological Disorders – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering major terms, brain mechanisms, diagnostic criteria, physiological hypotheses, and treatments for substance use, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and autism, based on the lecture notes.

Drug Addiction (Substance Use Disorder)

A problematic pattern of intoxicating substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, diagnosed by DSM-5 criteria.

DSM-5 Criteria for Substance Use Disorder

Eleven possible symptoms (e.g., craving, tolerance, withdrawal) occurring within 12 months; 2–3 = mild, 4–5 = moderate, 6+ = severe.

Tolerance

Need for markedly increased amounts of a substance to achieve the desired effect or diminished effect with continued use of the same amount.

Withdrawal

Characteristic physical or psychological symptoms that occur when substance use stops, or use of a similar substance to avoid those symptoms.

Craving

A strong desire or urge to use a substance, central to addiction diagnosis.

Nucleus Accumbens

Brain region receiving dopamine signals that evaluate reward ‘goodness’ and drive reinforcement learning.

Dopamine (in Addiction)

Neurotransmitter whose excessive release in the nucleus accumbens signals intense reward, fostering addiction.

Glutamate Projections (Addiction)

Pathways from the prefrontal cortex to nucleus accumbens that encode environmental cues and behaviors linked to rewards.

Behavioral Addiction

Compulsive engagement in rewarding non-substance behaviors (e.g., gambling, gaming) despite negative consequences.

Gambling Disorder

DSM-5 recognized behavioral addiction involving persistent, recurrent problematic gambling behavior.

Internet Gaming Disorder

Proposed behavioral addiction characterized by excessive, compulsive online game playing causing impairment or distress.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Mood disorder marked by persistent sadness or helplessness lasting weeks, with functional impairment.

Bipolar Disorder

Mood disorder featuring episodes of major depression alternated with periods of mania or hypomania.

Mania

State of restless activity, euphoria, excessive self-confidence, rapid speech, and loss of inhibitions.

Hypomania

Milder manic episode typical of Bipolar II, with elevated mood and activity but less impairment than full mania.

Physiological Correlates of Depression

Genetic factors, altered prefrontal cortex activity, neurotransmitter imbalances, and reduced BDNF levels.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

Protein promoting neuron growth and plasticity; low levels are linked to depression.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

First-generation drugs that block reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine but have many side effects.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Antidepressants that inhibit the enzyme breaking down monoamines, increasing serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Antidepressants that specifically block serotonin reuptake; e.g., fluoxetine (Prozac).

Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

Drugs blocking reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, used for depression and anxiety.

Atypical Antidepressants

Heterogeneous group (e.g., bupropion) with mechanisms other than classic reuptake inhibition.

Placebo Effect (Depression)

Symptom improvement resulting from expectation rather than active medication.

St. John’s Wort

Herbal supplement sometimes used for mild depression; can interfere with other drugs.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Medical procedure inducing controlled seizures to treat severe or medication-resistant depression.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Implanted electrodes deliver pulses to targeted brain areas (e.g., subgenual cingulate) to alleviate depression.

Lithium

Mood-stabilizing element effective for acute mania and long-term bipolar maintenance.

Anticonvulsant Drugs (Bipolar)

Medications like valproate or carbamazepine used as mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder.

Schizophrenia

Severe psychiatric disorder with positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms; can be acute or chronic.

Positive Symptoms

Excesses such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech seen in schizophrenia.

Negative Symptoms

Deficits such as flat affect, social withdrawal, and lack of motivation in schizophrenia.

Cognitive Symptoms

Impaired attention, memory, and executive function associated with schizophrenia.

Dopamine Hypothesis

Theory that schizophrenia results from excessive dopamine activity at certain synapses.

Glutamate Hypothesis

Proposes schizophrenia involves decreased glutamate activity, particularly at NMDA receptors.

Neurodevelopmental Hypothesis (Schizophrenia)

Suggests prenatal or early life brain disruptions predispose individuals to schizophrenia later.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Developmental condition with social communication deficits and restricted, repetitive behaviors.

Stereotyped Behaviors (ASD)

Repetitive movements or actions characteristic of autism, such as hand-flapping.

Resistance to Change in Routine

Common ASD feature where individuals become distressed by alterations in established patterns.

De Novo Mutation

Genetic alteration appearing for the first time in a child; a possible factor in some ASD cases.