AP Psychology: 5.1-4 Health Psychology

Flashcards covering key concepts and definitions related to mental health and well-being.

Wellness

A holistic state of health that encompasses physical, emotional, social, and mental well-being.

Stress

A psychological and physical response to perceived challenges or threats, which can impact health and well-being.

Hypertension, headaches

Hypertension refers to high blood pressure, which can result in headaches as a physical symptom of stress or anxiety.

Immune suppression

The reduction of the immune system's ability to fight infections, often caused by chronic stress.

Eustress

Positive stress that can motivate and enhance performance, leading to feelings of fulfillment.

Distress

Negative stress that exceeds an individual's coping resources, leading to anxiety and deteriorating health.

ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences)

Experiences during childhood that can have lasting negative effects on health and well-being, including abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction.

Stress Reactions

The body's physiological and psychological responses to stress, which can include fight or flight responses, emotional outbursts, or cognitive changes.

GAS (General Adaptation Syndrome)

A three-stage response system to stress consisting of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Fight or Flight response

The body's automatic reaction to perceived danger that prepares an individual to either confront the threat or escape from it.

Tend and Befriend theory

A behavioral response to stress, particularly in females, characterized by nurturing activities and social support seeking.

Problem focused coping

Coping strategies aimed at addressing and resolving the source of stress directly.

Emotion Focused coping

Coping methods that focus on managing the emotional distress associated with a stressful situation.

Positive Psychology

The scientific study of what makes life most worth living, focusing on individual and societal well-being.

Well-being (Subjective Well-being)

An individual's self-perceived happiness or satisfaction with life, often measured through evaluations of life quality and emotional experiences.

Resilience

The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or adapt positively in the face of adversity.

Gratitude

A feeling of thankfulness and appreciation that can enhance psychological health and foster positive relationships.

Strengths

Personal attributes or qualities that contribute to individual success and well-being.

Virtues: Wisdom, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance, Transcendence

Character strengths valued across cultures that promote ethical behavior and foster a well-rounded life.

Post-Traumatic Growth

Positive psychological changes that can result from the struggle with highly challenging life circumstances.

Dysfunction

A disruption in normal functioning, which can affect an individual's emotional or psychological state.

Distress (in terms of psychological disorders)

A psychological state characterized by emotional suffering that often leads to mental health issues.

Deviation from Social Norm

Behaviors that are significantly different from societal expectations, which may signal the presence of mental disorders.

Diagnosis (Consequences: Cultural/Societal Norms, Stigma, Racism, Ageism, Sexism, Discrimination)

The classification of mental health conditions, with implications for individuals that can include stigma and bias based on cultural or social factors.

Stigma

The negative societal perception or discrimination against individuals with mental health disorders.

Sociocultural perspective on Mental Disorders

An approach that considers the effects of culture, society, and environment on mental health and disorders.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

A reference book published by the American Psychiatric Association providing standardized criteria for the classification of mental disorders.

International Classification of Mental Disorders (ICD)

A global standard for diagnosing and classifying health conditions, including mental disorders, used by healthcare professionals worldwide.

Eclectic Approach

A therapeutic approach that combines various theories and methods to best meet the needs of patients.

Behavioral Perspective on Mental Disorders

A viewpoint that sees mental disorders as a result of learned behaviors and environmental factors.

Psychodynamic perspective on Mental Disorders

A theory that emphasizes the influence of unconscious motives and early life experiences on mental disorders.

Humanistic perspective on Mental Disorders

An approach that focuses on individual potential and stresses the importance of growth and self-actualization.

Cognitive Perspective on Mental Disorders

A framework that examines how thought patterns and beliefs contribute to emotional disorders.

Biological Perspective on Mental Disorders

A view that attributes mental disorders to biological factors such as genetics, brain chemistry, and physical health.

Biopsychosocial Model (Interaction Model)

A comprehensive model that explains mental disorders through the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Diathesis-Stress Model (Interaction Model)

A theory that suggests mental disorders develop due to the interaction between a preexisting vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental stressors.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

A group of disorders that typically manifest early in development and affect personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning.

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity disorder

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that can impact functioning.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

A developmental disorder that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction, with varying degrees of severity.

Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders

A range of mental disorders characterized by disturbances in thought and perception, leading to impaired functioning.

Delusions (persecution, grandeur)

False beliefs that are strongly held despite evidence to the contrary, such as believing one is being persecuted or possesses extraordinary abilities.

Hallucinations

Sensory experiences that appear real but are created by the mind, most often involving visual or auditory perceptions.

Flat Affect

An emotional condition marked by a lack of emotional responsiveness or expression.

Disorganized Thinking, Speech

A symptom of mental disorders where an individual's thoughts and speech become incoherent and disconnected.

Word Salad

A jumble of words and phrases that lacks coherent meaning, often seen in severe mental disorders.

Disorganized Motor Behavior

Unusual or erratic movements that can be symptomatic of schizophrenia or other mental disorders.

Catatonia (Catatonic Stupor)

A state of unresponsiveness, immobility, and lack of communication that can occur in severe mental disorders.

Stupor (Catatonic Stupor)

A state of near-complete lack of movement or response, often associated with catatonia.

Negative Symptoms

The absence of normal emotional and behavioral functions, which can include lack of motivation and reduced emotional expression.

Positive Symptoms

The presence of abnormal behaviors, thoughts, or perceptions, often experienced in psychosis.

Schizophrenia Causes

An ongoing investigation into the multifactorial origins of schizophrenia, which may include genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors.

Depressive Disorders (symptoms, causes)

A group of conditions characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest, influenced by psychological, biological, and social factors.

Major Depressive Disorder

A significant mental health condition characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest, and various physical symptoms.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

A chronic form of depression characterized by long-term, less severe symptoms.

Bipolar Disorders (symptoms, causes)

Mental disorders characterized by extreme mood swings, including periods of mania and depression.

Mania

An abnormally elevated mood state, often characterized by increased energy, euphoria, and impulsive behavior.

Bipolar I and II

Bipolar I involves periods of severe mood episodes from mania to depression, while Bipolar II is characterized by a milder form of mood elevation known as hypomania.

Anxiety Disorders (symptoms, causes)

A group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive fear or worry, which can significantly impair daily functioning.

Specific Phobia

An intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation that leads to avoidance behavior.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

A condition characterized by the presence of intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) intended to reduce anxiety.

Agoraphobia

An anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear or anxiety in situations where escape might be difficult, or help may not be available.

Panic Disorder

A recurrent and unexpected onset of intense fear or discomfort known as panic attacks.

Ataque de nervios

A culturally specific syndrome often experienced in Latino communities, characterized by intense emotional distress, often triggered by stressful events.

Social Anxiety Disorder

A condition marked by extreme fear of social situations, leading to avoidance of interactions and potential embarrassment.

Taijin Kyofusho

A cultural variation of social anxiety disorder, often found in Japan, characterized by fear of offending others or causing discomfort.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A chronic disorder characterized by excessive worry about various aspects of life, occurring more days than not for at least six months.

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (symptoms, causes)

A group of disorders involving the presence of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and/or compulsions (repetitive behaviors) that interfere with daily functioning.

Hoarding Disorder

A persistent difficulty in discarding or parting with possessions, leading to clutter and distress.

Dissociative Disorders (symptoms, causes)

A category of mental disorders characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception.

Dissociative Amnesia (with and without fugue)

A condition where an individual cannot recall personal information, potentially accompanied by sudden travel or wandering.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

A severe form of dissociation characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identity states.

Trauma and Stressor-related Disorders (symptoms, causes)

Disorders that occur in response to stress or trauma, often resulting in PTSD or acute stress reactions.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

A mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, leading to intrusive memories, avoidance, and hyperarousal.

Feeding and Eating Disorders (symptoms, causes)

Conditions characterized by persistent disturbances in eating behavior, which significantly impact health and functioning.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder defined by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading to self-starvation.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting to prevent weight gain.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

A disorder characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.

Personality Disorders (symptoms, causes)

Long-standing patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience, which deviate significantly from cultural expectations.

Cluster A Personality Disorders (odd or eccentric)

A category of personality disorders characterized by odd or unusual behaviors, including paranoid or schizoid symptoms.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

A disorder marked by a pervasive distrust and suspicion of others, affecting interpersonal relationships.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by a lack of interest in social relationships and a limited range of emotional expression.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

A disorder featuring acute discomfort in close relationships and cognitive or perceptual distortions.

Cluster B Personality Disorders (dramatic, emotional, or erratic)

A category characterized by emotional instability and dramatic behavior, including antisocial and borderline symptoms.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

A disorder marked by a disregard for the rights of others and a lack of remorse for harmful actions.

Borderline Personality Disorder

A serious mental impairment characterized by instability in mood, behavior, self-image, and relationships.

Cluster C Personality disorders (anxious or fearful)

A group of personality disorders characterized by anxiety and fear, including avoidant and dependent patterns.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

A personality disorder marked by extreme social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.

Dependent Personality Disorder

A condition characterized by a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive behaviors.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control.

GAS (General Adaptation Syndrome)

A three-stage response system to stress consisting of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.