Health Psychology & Psychological Disorders
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Types of Stress
Eustress: Good stress, which is motivating and focusing. Example: Studying for an exam.
Distress: Bad stress, which feels overwhelming. Example: Losing a job.
Mnemonic: “EU = Excellent, D = Damaging”
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Early trauma (e.g., abuse, neglect) can lead to long-term health risks.
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
Mnemonic: GAS ARE US
Alarm: Initial reaction (fight or flight). Example: Your heart races when you hear bad news.
Resistance: The body tries to cope. Example: Studying hard while stressed.
Exhaustion: Resources depleted, leading to burnout from chronic stress.
Tend-and-Befriend Theory
Women under stress seek social connections and nurturing behavior.
Example: Comforting each other during emotional times.
Coping Styles
Problem-focused coping: Solving the issue directly. Example: Making a study plan.
Emotion-focused coping: Managing feelings related to the issue. Example: Journaling or meditating.
POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Resilience
Bouncing back from hardship (grit). Example: Rebuilding life after loss.
Gratitude
Being thankful improves well-being. Example: Keeping a gratitude journal can contribute to a longer life.
Signature Strengths
Personal virtues: wisdom, courage, justice, humanity, etc. Example: Volunteering utilizes the “kindness” strength.
Posttraumatic Growth
Becoming stronger after trauma. Example: A survivor becoming a mental health advocate.
CLASSIFYING PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS
Three Considerations
Deviance: Unusual or socially unacceptable behavior.
Distress: Behavior that causes emotional pain.
Dysfunction: Behavior that interferes with daily life.
Stigma
Negative stereotypes about mental illness lead to shame and avoidance of seeking help.
Diagnostic Tools
DSM-5: U.S. diagnostic manual.
ICD-11: Global disease classification system.
Approaches
Eclectic approach: Combining multiple perspectives in treatment.
Diathesis-Stress Model: Genetic vulnerability + environmental stress = disorder.
NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
ADHD
Hyperactive-Impulsive: Fidgeting, interrupting.
Inattentive: Forgetful, distractible.
Combined: Both hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive symptoms.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Challenges in social skills and repetitive behaviors.
SCHIZOPHRENIC SPECTRUM
Delusions: False beliefs (e.g., paranoia).
Hallucinations: Sensing things that are not there (e.g., hearing voices).
Disorganized Thinking/Speech: Word salad, jumping topics.
Disorganized Motor Behavior: Strange movements or stillness.
Catatonia: Little or no movement.
Negative Symptoms: Flat affect, low motivation.
Acute: Sudden onset.
Chronic: Long-lasting, persistent.
DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Intense, lasts >2 weeks.
Persistent Depressive Disorder: Less severe, longer-lasting.
BIPOLAR DISORDERS
Mania: High energy, impulsivity.
Depression: Sadness, hopelessness.
Cycling: Shifting between mania and depression.
Bipolar I: Full mania.
Bipolar II: Hypomania (less intense).
ANXIETY DISORDERS
Phobias
Acrophobia: Heights.
Arachnophobia: Spiders.
Agoraphobia: Leaving safe spaces.
Panic Disorder
Sudden panic attacks.
Ataques de nervios: Culture-specific (Caribbean/Iberia).
Social Anxiety
Fear of social judgment.
Taijin kyofusho: Fear of being offensive (Japan).
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Chronic worry about everyday life.
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE & RELATED
Obsessions: Intrusive thoughts.
Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors to relieve an obsession.
OCD: Obsession + compulsion cycle.
Hoarding Disorder: Difficulty discarding items.
DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
Dissociations: Disconnections from identity/reality.
Dissociative Amnesia: Forget personal info.
Fugue State: Travel + identity loss.
Dissociative Identity Disorder: Two or more identities.
TRAUMA & STRESSOR-RELATED
PTSD Symptoms:
Trauma, hypervigilance, flashbacks, insomnia, emotional numbness, and hostility.
FEEDING & EATING DISORDERS
Anorexia Nervosa: Extreme food restriction, low weight.
Bulimia Nervosa: Binge eating + purging.
PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Cluster A (Odd/Eccentric)
Paranoid: Distrustful.
Schizoid: Emotionally detached.
Schizotypal: Eccentric thinking.
Cluster B (Dramatic/Erratic)
Antisocial: No remorse.
Histrionic: Attention-seeking.
Narcissistic: Self-centered.
Borderline: Mood swings, fear of abandonment.
Cluster C (Anxious/Fearful)
Avoidant: Social inhibition.
Dependent: Clingy, needs reassurance.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: Perfectionism (not OCD!).
TREATMENT
General Approaches
Evidence-Based Interventions: Backed by research.
Decentralized Care: Access care outside traditional clinics.
Ethical Guidelines
Nonmaleficence: Do no harm.
Fidelity: Be trustworthy.
Integrity: Be honest.
Respect: Uphold dignity and rights.
Therapy Types
Psychodynamic
Techniques: Free association, dream interpretation.
Cognitive
Cognitive restructuring: Change negative thought patterns.
Cognitive triad: Self, world, future.
Exposure
Systematic desensitization: Gradual exposure to fears.
Aversion
Pairing behavior with an unpleasant stimulus.
Token Economies
Rewards for behavior (e.g., classroom stickers).
Biofeedback
Control body functions (e.g., heart rate) through feedback.
CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy)
DBT: For borderline personality.
REBT: Challenge irrational beliefs.
Humanistic
Person-Centered Therapy: Unconditional positive regard.
Group/Family Therapy:
Work through dynamics in groups or families.
Talk Therapy/Hypnosis:
Verbal processing or hypnotic suggestion.
Medications
Antidepressants: For depression (SSRIs).
Antianxiety drugs: Calm nervous system.
Lithium: Mood stabilizer (bipolar).
Antipsychotics: Treat schizophrenia.
Tardive dyskinesia: Side effect (involuntary movements).
Surgical/Medical Interventions
Psychosurgery: Rare—last resort.
Lesioning: Destroy problematic brain tissue.
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation): Magnetic pulses to stimulate areas.
ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy): Used for severe depression.
Lobotomy: An outdated procedure to sever brain connections.