Psychological Disorders and Mental Illness

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to psychological disorders, mental health stigma, and historical perspectives.

Abnormality

A deviation from the norm, often used to describe behaviors that are unusual or atypical.

Psychological Disorder

A condition characterized by significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior.

Distress

Psychological suffering that affects an individual's emotional state across various life domains.

Dysfunction

Impairment in the ability to perform expected roles or meet essential personal and societal expectations.

Deviance

Behavior that differs significantly from societal norms and expectations.

Prevalence Rates

Statistics that indicate the proportion of a population affected by a particular condition at a specific time.

Stigma

A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person, often leading to discrimination and social rejection.

Developmental Psychology

The scientific study of how and why human beings change over the course of their life.

Developmental Psychopathology

An approach to understanding the development of psychological disorders across the lifespan.

Lifetime Prevalence

The proportion of individuals who will experience a condition at some point in their lives.

Point Prevalence

The proportion of people who have a condition at a specific point in time.

Period Prevalence

The proportion of a population with a condition over a specified span of time.

Hysteria

A historical diagnosis characterized by a variety of psychological and physical symptoms, often pathologizing women's emotional expression.

Social Context

The social factors and situational influences that affect an individual’s behavior and mental health.

Cultural Considerations

Recognition and understanding of cultural differences in behavior and mental health norms.

Environmental Stressors

External pressures that can contribute to an individual’s psychological distress or dysfunction.

Self-care

Activities and practices that individuals engage in to maintain and enhance their health and well-being.

Historical Pathology

The study and understanding of how psychological disorders were perceived and treated throughout history.

Mis-diagnosis

An incorrect identification of a disease or condition, potentially leading to inappropriate treatment.

Public Stigma

Negative attitudes and beliefs directed towards individuals with mental illness, affecting their self-esteem and social interactions.

Normalizing,

The process of making something acceptable or standard within a society, especially regarding mental health challenges.

Self-Stigma

The internalization of negative stereotypes and beliefs about mental illness, affecting an individual's self-image and willingness to seek help.