AP Psychology Mental and Physical Health

Health Psychology

A subfield of psychology which focuses on how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health

stress

the process by which we perceive and respond to events (stressors) that are appraised challenging or threatening

hypertension

chronically high blood pressure, often linked to prolonged stress, poor diet, and lifestyle factors

immune suppresion

the weakening of the immune system due to prolonged stress

stressors

events or conditions that trigger a stress response, which can be physical, psychological, or environmental

eustress

motivating stress, which is positive form of stress that can enhance motivation, performance, and resilience

Distress

a negative, debilatating stress, that impairs performance, increases anxiety, and can cause health problems

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)

Traumatic events that occur during childhood, that can have negative long-term impacts on mental and physical health

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Hans Seyle’s model, which outlines the body’s physiological responses to stress. It consists of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion

Alarm Reaction Phase

The first phase of GAS, where the body percieves a stressor and activates the sympathetic nervous system, which releases adrenaline and cortisol to prepare flight or fight response

Resistance Phase

The second stage of GAS, where the body attempts to adapt to the stressor. It maintains high levels of stress and arousal, but it tries to restore balance

Exhaustion Phase

The final stage of GAS, where prolonged stress causes a weak immune system, increases vulnerability to illness, and fatigue

Tend & Befriend Theory

A stress response theory that suggests individuals, specifically woman, engage in nurturing behavior and seeking social support rather than activating flight or fight responses

Fight or Flight Responses

An automatic physiological response where the body freezes, flees, or fights in response to danger

Problem- Focused Coping

A coping strategy which involves directly fixing the source of stress to reduce it’s impact

Emotion-Focused Coping

A coping strategy which involves managing the emotional responses due to stress rather than the source of the stress

Positive Psychology

A branch of psychology that focuses on human strengths, well-being, and factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive

Well-Being

A holisitic measure of an individuals overall happiness, health, and life satisfaction, encompassing both physical and mental aspects

Resilience

The ability to adapt and recover from adversity, stress, or trauma, often influenced by coping strategies and support system

Positive Subjective Experiences

Personal perceptions of well-being and happiness that arise from engaging in meaningful happiness and life satisfaction

Subjective Well-Being

An individuals self reported level of happiness and life satisfaction, often measured through affection and cognitive evaluations

signature strengths

core character traits that define a person and contribute to their person fullfillment

virtues

morally valued traits or qualities that contribute to ethical behavior and meaningful behavior

positive objective experiences

external events or circumstances that contribute to well being, such as social support, achievements, or engaging in fullfilling activities

Categories of Virtues

six broad character strengths in positive psychology, widsom, humanity, courage, justice, temperance, transcendence

posttraumtic growth

positive psychological change that occurs after experiencing a traumatic event, leading to self growth and reflection

dysfunction

a disturbance in emotional, physical, or psychological daily life

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

a system published by the APA that standardizes the classification of mental disorders

International Classification of Mental Disorders (ICD)

A international classifiication of mental and psychological disorders, published by WHO

Eclectic Approach

A therapeutic approach that combines different psychological perspectives to best address a patients needs

Behavioral Perspective

Focuses on how learned behaviors are acquired through operant and classical conditioning

maladaptive learned associations

unhealthy learned behaviors or patterns acquired through conditioning

psychodynamic perspective

emphasizes unconcious thoughts, childhood experiences, and internal conflict as key influences in behavior

humanistic perspective

centers on personal growth, free will, and self actualization as key influences in behavior

cognitive perspective

focuses on how problem-solving processes, memory, and mental frameworks influence behavior

evolutionary perspective

focuses on how evolution and inherited traits influence behavior and enhance survival and reproduction

sociocultural perspective

focuses on how social norms, culture, and societal expectations influence behavior

biopsychsocial perspective

a framework that describes mental disorders as a result of interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors

diathesis-stress model

a model explaining that psychological disorders are biologically predispositioned (diathesis) and environmental factors combine to trigger symptoms

neurodevelopmental disorders

a category of mental disorders that develop in early childhood due to brain development abnormalities

attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by frequent impulsivity, hyperactivity, or inattention

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges in social communication, restrictive interests, and repetitive behaviors

schizophrenic spectrum disorders

a group of disorders characterized by distorted thinking, emotions, and perceptions

delusions

false and fixed beliefs despite contradictory evidence

hallucinations

sensory experiences that occur without external stimuli

disorganized thinking

a symptom of schizophrena where throughts are fragmented, illogical, and unclear, making it difficult to form coherent ideas

disorganized speech

a symptom of schizophrena where speech is illogical or nonsensical, often shifting between unrelated topics (word salad)

disorganized motor behavior

unusual or erratic movement, including agitation or repetitive motor behavior, or being completely motionless, a common symptom of schizophrena

negative symptoms

symptoms in schizophrenia that reflect a loss in normal functions, such as social withdrawal

positive symptoms

symptoms in schizophrenia that reflect an addition of abnormal functions, as delusions

delusions of persecutions

delusions where an individual believes that someone is out to conspire, plot against, or spy against them

delusions of grandeur

delusions where an individual believes they have extreme power or importance

catatonia

a state of abnormal movement or lack of movement, where an individual may be unresponsive, or may exhibit purposeless repetitive behavior

flat affect

showing low emotional expression, where an individual speaks in a monotone voice, barely reacts to events, and has a blank facial expression

catatonic stupor

a state of extreme unresponsiveness where a person appears frozen in place and does not speak

dopamine hypothesis

a theory that suggests abnormal dopamine levels in the brain are involved in the development of abnormal mood disorders, especially depression and bipolar disorders

depressive disorders

a group of mental health disorders characterized by feelings of sadness, helplessness, and a loss of interest in activities

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

a severe form of depression, marked by consistent feelings of sadness, change in sleep or appetite, and a lack of interest in activities. This lasts about 2 weeks

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

Also known as dysthymia, a chronic form of depression which lasts about 2 years but has less severe symptoms than MDD

Bipolar Disorder

a category of mood disorders characterized by extreme mood swings including emotional highs and lows (mania and depression)

Cycling

refers to the pattern of alternating between maniac and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder

mania

a state of abnormally elevated or irritable mood, accompanied by impulsive behavior and rapid speech

depression

a mood state characterized by feelings of helplessness or sadness and a lack of interest in life

Bipolar I Disorder

A type of bipolar disorder characterized by at least one maniac episode lasting 1 week (or requiring hospitalization) and then followed by depressive episodes

Bipolar II Disorder

A form of bipolar disorder characterized by at least hypomanic episode (a lesser form of mania) and one depressive episode, but without full maniac episodes

anxiety disorders

a category of psychological disorders that are characterized by excessive fear, worry, or nervousness, including anxiety, panic disorders, and phobias

specific phobias

intense, irrational fears of a specific object or situation that leads to avoidance behavior

acrophobia

a specific phobia involving fear of heights, leading to avoidance and anxiety of heights

arachnophobia

a specific phobia involving the fear of spiders, leading to avoidance of spiders

agoraphobia

an anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of situations or settings where escape may be difficult, leading to an avoidance of crowded places, public transport, etc

panic disorder

an anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected panic attacks and the ongoing fear of experiencing another attack

panic attack

a sudden episode of intense fear or discomfort, accompanied by physical symptoms and feelings of impending doom

ataque de nervios

a culturally specific syndrome found in Latin American cultures, involving sudden emotional distress, trembling, uncontrollable crying, often trigged by stressful events

social anxiety disorder

an anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of social situations due to concerns about being judged, embarassed, or humilated, leading to an avoidance of social situations

taijin kyofusho

a culture-bound anxiety disorder prevalent in Japan and Korea, characterized by an intense fear that one’s appearance, body odor, or actions will embarass or offend others