Unit 5

Psychological Disorder

A syndrome marked by a clinically significant disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that interferes with daily life.

Medical Model

The concept that psychological disorders have biological causes and can be diagnosed, treated, and sometimes cured.

Biopsychosocial Approach

A framework for understanding disorders that integrates biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors.

Diathesis-Stress Model

Suggests that a disorder arises from a genetic predisposition (diathesis) combined with environmental stressors.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors influence gene expression without changing DNA.

DSM-5-TR

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, used for classifying psychological disorders.

Labeling Controversy

Debate over whether diagnostic labels can stigmatize individuals, create bias, and oversimplify human behavior.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Persistent and excessive worry that is difficult to control.

Panic Disorder

Sudden, intense episodes of panic attacks with physical symptoms like a racing heart and shortness of breath.

Specific Phobia

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

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Characterized by obsessions (unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors) performed to reduce anxiety.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A disorder following trauma, marked by flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Persistent sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest lasting at least two weeks.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

A chronic, long-term form of depression with milder symptoms.

Bipolar I Disorder

Alternating periods of full manic episodes and depression.

Bipolar II Disorder

Alternates between hypomania (less intense mania) and major depression.

Rumination

The tendency to repeatedly focus on negative thoughts, worsening depression.

Schizophrenia

A severe disorder marked by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and diminished emotional expression.

Chronic Schizophrenia

Symptoms develop slowly over time, with less chance of recovery.

Acute Schizophrenia

Symptoms appear suddenly, often in response to stress, and may improve with treatment.

Delusion

A false belief (e.g., paranoia, grandiosity) despite contradictory evidence.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

A rare disorder where a person exhibits two or more distinct identities.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

A pattern of disregard for others, lack of empathy, and manipulative behavior.

Cluster A Personality Disorders

Odd/Eccentric personality disorders including paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal.

Cluster B Personality Disorders

Dramatic/Erratic personality disorders including antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic.

Cluster C Personality Disorders

Anxious/Fearful personality disorders including avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive.

Anorexia Nervosa

Characterized by self-starvation, intense fear of weight gain, and body image distortion.

Bulimia Nervosa

Episodes of binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, laxatives, fasting, excessive exercise).

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder marked by impaired social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

Characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Psychotherapy

A broad term for treating mental disorders through talk therapy and psychological techniques.

Biomedical Therapy

Treatment using medications or medical procedures to affect brain function.

Eclectic Approach

Combining multiple therapeutic techniques for a tailored treatment plan.

Psychoanalysis (Freud)

Uses techniques like free association and dream analysis to uncover unconscious conflicts.

Psychodynamic Therapy

An updated version of psychoanalysis that focuses on self-awareness and emotional insight.

Humanistic Therapy (Rogers)

Focuses on self-growth, active listening, and unconditional positive regard.

Behavior Therapy

Uses conditioning techniques to modify behavior.

Cognitive Therapy (Beck & Ellis)

Focuses on changing negative thought patterns to improve mental health.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A blend of cognitive restructuring and behavior modification.

Psychopharmacology

The study of how drugs affect mental disorders.

Antipsychotic Drugs

Used to treat schizophrenia by reducing dopamine activity.

Antianxiety Drugs

Depress central nervous system activity to reduce anxiety symptoms.

Antidepressant Drugs

Increase neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine to improve mood.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A last-resort treatment for severe depression using electric shocks to induce seizures.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions linked to depression.

Lobotomy

A rare psychosurgical procedure that severs connections in the brain’s frontal lobes, historically used to treat severe mental illness.

Resilience

The ability to withstand stress and recover from adversity.

Therapeutic Alliance

A strong relationship between therapist and client, critical for effective therapy.

Evidence-Based Practice

Therapy methods that are scientifically validated for effectiveness.

Ethical Principles in Therapy

Includes confidentiality, informed consent, beneficence, and non-maleficence.

Distress

Psychological disorders can lead to personal distress, where individuals experience significant discomfort, suffering, or emotional pain.

Example of Distress

A person with major depressive disorder may experience profound sadness and hopelessness, making it challenging to engage in daily activities.

Dysfunction (Maladaptiveness)

Behaviors that substantially disrupt daily activities, relationships, or work performance are identified as dysfunction.

Example of Dysfunction

An individual with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) might spend excessive time performing rituals, which hinders their ability to leave the house on schedule.

Deviance (Unconventionality)

This refers to behaviors that breach societal norms or expectations and are viewed as statistically or socially atypical.

Example of Deviance

A person experiencing auditory hallucinations may be seen as deviating from typical behavior in a culture that does not accept such experiences.

Irrationality

This term describes thought processes or behaviors that lack logical coherence or deviate from reality.

Example of Irrationality

An individual with schizophrenia might believe they are being monitored by the government despite having no evidence to support this belief.

Sudden Erratic Behavior

This describes abrupt and unpredictable actions that lack a logical basis.

Example of Sudden Erratic Behavior

A person may unexpectedly react with aggression in a social situation that is otherwise calm.

Observer Discomfort

This concept involves behaviors that provoke discomfort or unease in others.

Example of Observer Discomfort

A person loudly talking to themselves in public may cause discomfort among bystanders.