REAL HOSA Behavioral Health

Section 1: The Mind (25%)

Biological Foundations of Behavior

• Neurons and Neural Communication – Structure (dendrites, soma, axon) and function of neurons.

• Nervous System – Central (CNS: brain, spinal cord) and Peripheral (PNS: autonomic, somatic).

• Brain Structures – Cerebrum, cerebellum, limbic system, brainstem, and their roles.

• Neuroplasticity – Brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize.

Sensation and Perception

• Sensation – Process of receiving stimuli from the environment.

• Perception – Brain’s interpretation of sensory information.

• Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Processing – How experience and context influence perception.

• Perceptual Illusions – How the brain can misinterpret sensory information.

Consciousness

• States of Consciousness – Wakefulness, sleep, hypnosis, and altered states.

• Sleep Cycle – REM vs. non-REM, sleep disorders (insomnia, narcolepsy).

• Circadian Rhythms – Body’s internal biological clock.

• Psychoactive Drugs – Effects of stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens.

Motivation and Emotion

• Theories of Motivation – Drive-reduction, incentive, Maslow’s hierarchy.

• Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation – Internal vs. external drives.

• Emotion Theories – James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, Schachter-Singer.

• Facial Feedback Hypothesis – Emotions influenced by facial expressions.

Learning

• Classical Conditioning – Pavlov’s experiment, unconditioned/conditioned responses.

• Operant Conditioning – Reinforcement, punishment, schedules of reinforcement.

• Observational Learning – Bandura’s social learning theory.

• Cognitive Learning – Impact of mental processes on behavior.

Memory

• Memory Stages – Sensory, short-term, long-term.

• Encoding, Storage, Retrieval – How we process and recall information.

• Types of Memory – Explicit vs. implicit, episodic vs. procedural.

• Forgetting & Distortions – Causes of memory loss and reliability issues.

Section 2: Psychological and Behavioral Health Disorders (25%)

Common Mental Health Disorders

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – Social and communication difficulties.

• ADHD – Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity.

• Schizophrenia – Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking.

• Bipolar Disorder – Mood swings between depression and mania.

• Depression – Persistent sadness, lack of motivation.

• Anxiety Disorders – Generalized anxiety, panic disorder, phobias.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Unwanted repetitive thoughts/actions.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Trauma-related distress.

• Personality Disorders – Long-term patterns of maladaptive behavior.

• Dissociative Disorders – Disruptions in identity, memory, consciousness.

• Eating Disorders – Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating.

Treatments & Therapies

• Psychotherapy – Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, group therapy.

• Medication – Antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers.

• Community Mental Health Services – Crisis intervention, rehabilitation.

• Alternative Therapies – Meditation, mindfulness, exercise.

Section 3: Prevention, Identification, Recovery & Management of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness (25%)

Prevention Strategies

• Education & Awareness – Mental health literacy and stigma reduction.

• Early Intervention – Screening for risk factors, counseling.

• Healthy Lifestyle – Proper diet, exercise, sleep, social support.

Identification & Diagnosis

• Screening Tools – Psychological assessments and diagnostic interviews.

• Recognizing Symptoms – Early signs of depression, anxiety, substance abuse.

Recovery & Management

• Coping Strategies – Therapy, medication, peer support.

• Relapse Prevention – Identifying triggers, developing healthy habits.

• Support Networks – Family, friends, and community programs.

• Harm Reduction – Methods to minimize negative impacts of substance use.

Section 4: Wellness, Stress, Coping (15%)

Wellness Concepts

• Holistic Health – Physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.

• Self-Care – Stress management, healthy habits, work-life balance.

Understanding Stress

• Types of Stress – Acute vs. chronic stress.

• Effects on the Body – Fight-or-flight response, long-term health risks.

Coping Mechanisms

• Problem-Focused vs. Emotion-Focused Coping – Active problem-solving vs. emotional regulation.

• Healthy Coping Strategies – Meditation, exercise, therapy.

• Unhealthy Coping – Avoidance, substance use.

Section 5: Workforce/Careers and Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines (5%)

Careers in Psychology & Mental Health

• Psychologists vs. Psychiatrists – Differences in training and roles.

• Mental Health Counselors – Therapy and treatment planning.

• Social Workers – Advocacy and community resources.

• Substance Abuse Counselors – Helping individuals with addiction.

Key Laws & Regulations

• HIPAA – Protects patient privacy in healthcare.

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Rights of individuals with mental health conditions.

• Mental Health Parity Act – Equal insurance coverage for mental health treatment.

• Confidentiality & Ethics – APA Code of Ethics in psychology practice.

Section 6: History & Health Systems Integration (5%)

History of Psychology

• Early Theories – Structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism.

• Freud & Psychoanalysis – Unconscious mind, defense mechanisms.

• Humanistic Psychology – Maslow’s hierarchy, Carl Rogers’ self-actualization.

Integration of Health Systems

• Biopsychosocial Model – Holistic approach to mental health.

• Primary vs. Secondary Care – Mental health in different healthcare settings.

• Public Health Initiatives – National and global mental health efforts.