Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health Vocab

5.1 - Introduction to Health Psychology

• Alarm reaction phase – The first stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), where the body immediately responds to a stressor by activating the sympathetic nervous system.

• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) – Potentially traumatic events experienced in childhood (e.g., abuse, neglect, household dysfunction) that can impact long-term health and well-being.

• Distress – Negative stress that can cause anxiety, discomfort, and impair functioning.

• Emotion-focused coping – A coping strategy aimed at managing emotional responses to stress rather than addressing the problem itself.

• Eustress – Positive stress that can motivate individuals to perform well and achieve goals.

• Exhaustion phase – The final stage of GAS, where prolonged stress depletes the body's resources, increasing vulnerability to illness and burnout.

• Fight-flight-freeze response – An automatic physiological reaction to a perceived threat, preparing the body to fight, flee, or freeze.

• General adaptation syndrome (GAS) – Hans Selye’s three-stage model (alarm, resistance, exhaustion) describing the body's response to stress.

• Health psychology – A field of psychology focused on how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness.

• Hypertension – Chronically high blood pressure, often linked to stress and poor lifestyle choices.

• Immune response – The body's defense mechanism against infections and diseases, which can be weakened by chronic stress.

• Problem-focused coping – A coping strategy aimed at directly addressing and solving the source of stress.

• Resistance phase – The second stage of GAS, where the body remains activated and attempts to adapt to the stressor.

• Stress – The body’s physical and psychological response to challenging or demanding situations.

• Stressors – External or internal events that trigger a stress response.

• Tend-and-befriend theory – A stress response theory suggesting that, particularly in women, individuals seek social support and care for others in response to stress.

5.2 - Positive Psychology

• Character strengths and virtues – Positive traits, such as kindness and honesty, that contribute to personal well-being and social good.

• Courage – The ability to face fear, challenges, or adversity with bravery and perseverance.

• Gratitude – A sense of appreciation for what one has, which contributes to overall happiness and well-being.

• Happiness – A state of well-being that includes positive emotions, satisfaction with life, and a sense of fulfillment.

• Humanity – The quality of compassion, love, and kindness toward others.

• Justice – The principle of fairness and equity in personal and social interactions.

• Positive psychology – The scientific study of strengths, virtues, and factors that contribute to a fulfilling and meaningful life.

• Positive emotions – Feelings such as joy, hope, and love that enhance well-being and resilience.

• Posttraumatic growth – Psychological improvement and personal development that arise after experiencing trauma.

• Resilience – The ability to recover from setbacks and adapt to adversity.

• Subjective well-being – An individual's self-perceived happiness and life satisfaction.

• Temperance – The practice of self-regulation and moderation in emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

• Transcendence – A sense of connection to something greater than oneself, often through spirituality or purpose.

• Wisdom – The ability to use knowledge, experience, and good judgment to navigate life’s challenges.

Positive Psychology & Well-being Terms

• Happiness – A state of emotional well-being and life satisfaction that includes positive emotions and a sense of fulfillment.

• Humanity – A virtue that encompasses kindness, compassion, and the ability to connect with others in meaningful ways.

• Justice – A concept of fairness and moral rightness that ensures people receive equitable treatment.

• Positive psychology – The scientific study of human strengths, virtues, and factors that lead to a fulfilling life.

• Positive emotions – Feelings such as joy, love, gratitude, and hope that contribute to overall well-being.

• Posttraumatic growth – Personal development and strength that arise as a result of overcoming adversity or trauma.

• Resilience – The capacity to adapt and recover from stress, trauma, or significant life challenges.

• Subjective well-being – An individual’s perception of their own happiness and satisfaction with life.

• Temperance – The ability to exercise self-control, moderation, and restraint in one’s emotions and behaviors.

• Transcendence – A sense of meaning, purpose, or connection to something beyond oneself, often linked to spirituality.

• Wisdom – The ability to make sound judgments and decisions based on knowledge, experience, and insight.

5.3 - Explaining and Classifying Psychological Disorders

• Behavioral perspective – Explains psychological disorders based on learned behaviors and conditioning.

• Biological perspective – Focuses on genetic, neurological, and physiological factors that influence mental disorders.

• Biopsychosocial model – A comprehensive approach that considers biological, psychological, and social influences on mental health.

• Cognitive perspective – Examines how negative thought patterns and cognitive distortions contribute to psychological disorders.

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) – The standard classification system for diagnosing mental disorders.

• Diathesis-stress model – Suggests that psychological disorders develop due to an underlying vulnerability (diathesis) combined with stress.

• Distress – Emotional or psychological suffering that interferes with daily life.

• Dysfunction – A disruption in normal psychological functioning that impairs daily activities.

• Eclectic approach – A therapeutic approach that integrates techniques from multiple psychological perspectives.

• Evolutionary perspective – Explains psychological disorders based on adaptive functions and evolutionary history.

• Humanistic perspective – Emphasizes personal growth, free will, and self-actualization in understanding psychological disorders.

• International Classification of Mental Disorders (ICD) – A global diagnostic system for mental and physical disorders, maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO).

• Psychodynamic perspective – Views psychological disorders as stemming from unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences.

• Psychological disorder – A condition characterized by abnormal thoughts, emotions, or behaviors that cause significant distress or impairment.

• Sociocultural perspective – Considers how societal, cultural, and environmental factors contribute to psychological disorders.

• Stigma – Negative social attitudes and discrimination associated with mental illness.

• Stigma Impact Scale – A tool used to measure the effects of stigma on individuals with mental disorders.

5.4 - Selection of Categories of Psychological Disorders

Personality Disorders

• Personality – An individual’s characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior.

• Personality disorders – A group of mental health conditions characterized by enduring maladaptive personality traits.

• Cluster A – A category of personality disorders marked by odd, eccentric behaviors (Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal).

• Cluster B – A category of personality disorders associated with dramatic, erratic behaviors (Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic).

• Cluster C – A category of personality disorders characterized by anxious or fearful behaviors (Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive).

• Antisocial personality disorder – A disorder involving persistent disregard for others' rights and a lack of empathy.

• Avoidant personality disorder – Marked by extreme social inhibition, sensitivity to rejection, and low self-esteem.

• Borderline personality disorder – Characterized by unstable relationships, self-image, and emotions, often leading to impulsive behaviors.

• Dependent personality disorder – Involves excessive reliance on others for emotional and decision-making support.

• Histrionic personality disorder – Marked by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.

• Narcissistic personality disorder – Characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.

• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder – A pattern of excessive perfectionism, orderliness, and need for control.

• Paranoid personality disorder – Involves pervasive distrust and suspicion of others.

• Schizoid personality disorder – Marked by social detachment and limited emotional expression.

• Schizotypal personality disorder – Features eccentric behaviors, odd beliefs, and difficulties in social relationships.

Anxiety Disorders

• Acrophobia – Intense fear of heights.

• Agoraphobia – Fear of situations where escape may be difficult, often leading to avoidance of open or crowded spaces.

• Anxiety disorders – A category of mental disorders involving excessive fear, worry, or nervousness.

• Arachnophobia – Intense fear of spiders.

• Ataque de nervios – A culturally specific anxiety reaction commonly seen in Latin American cultures, characterized by outbursts of emotion.

• Generalized anxiety disorder – Chronic, excessive worry about various aspects of life.

• Panic attack – A sudden episode of intense fear, often accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations.

• Panic disorder – Recurring panic attacks that lead to persistent fear of future attacks.

• Phobia – An irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity.

• Social anxiety disorder – Extreme fear of social situations due to fear of embarrassment or judgment.

• Taijin kyofusho – A culture-bound syndrome in Japan involving intense fear of offending others through one’s appearance or behavior.

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

• Catatonia – A state of abnormal movement or behavior, often associated with schizophrenia.

• Catatonic stupor – A condition of immobility and unresponsiveness.

• Delusions – Strongly held false beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary.

• Delusions of grandeur – Belief in having exceptional abilities, fame, or power.

• Delusions of persecution – False belief that one is being targeted or conspired against.

• Disorganized motor behavior – Unusual physical movements or behaviors seen in schizophrenia.

• Disorganized speech – Incoherent or illogical speech patterns.

• Dopamine hypothesis – Suggests that schizophrenia is linked to excessive dopamine activity.

• Hallucinations – Sensory experiences that occur without an external stimulus, such as hearing voices.

• Negative symptoms – Symptoms involving the absence of normal behaviors, such as lack of emotion.

• Positive symptoms – Symptoms that involve an excess of normal function, such as hallucinations or delusions.

• Schizophrenia spectrum disorders – A range of disorders characterized by psychosis and impaired thought processes.

• Word salad – Disorganized, nonsensical speech often seen in schizophrenia.

5.5 - Treatment of Psychological Disorders

• Active listening – A therapeutic technique involving empathetic listening and reflection.

• Antianxiety drugs – Medications used to reduce symptoms of anxiety.

• Antidepressants – Medications used to treat depression and other mood disorders.

• Antipsychotic medications – Drugs used to manage psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.

• Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) – A treatment approach that combines cognitive and behavioral strategies.

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) – A treatment for severe depression involving controlled electrical stimulation of the brain.

• Psychoactive drugs – Substances that alter mood, perception, or brain function.

• Therapeutic alliance – The relationship between therapist and client, crucial for effective therapy.