Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health Study Guide

Stress and Coping

• General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): A three-stage process (alarm, resistance, exhaustion) that describes the body’s physiological response to stress.

• Eustress: Positive stress that motivates individuals to perform better.

• Distress: Negative stress that can lead to anxiety and health problems.

• Emotion-focused coping: Managing emotional responses to stress rather than changing the stressor.

• Problem-focused coping: Addressing the cause of stress directly to reduce its impact.

• Locus of control: The degree to which people believe they control their fate (internal vs. external).

• Mindfulness: A practice of being present in the moment to reduce stress.

• Diathesis-Stress Model: Suggests that a predisposition to a disorder is triggered by stress.

The Physiological Response to Stress

• Fight-or-Flight Response: An automatic reaction to perceived threats involving adrenaline release.

• Cortisol: A stress hormone that helps the body respond to stress but can be harmful in excess.

• Parasympathetic Nervous System: The part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body after stress.

• Hypertension: High blood pressure often linked to chronic stress.

Abnormal Psychology and Psychological Disorders

• Abnormal Behavior: Behavior that is atypical, maladaptive, disturbing, and unjustifiable.

• DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders): The manual used to classify and diagnose psychological disorders.

• Stigma: Negative social attitudes associated with psychological disorders.

• Biopsychosocial Model: Explains disorders as a result of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Anxiety Disorders

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life.

• Panic Disorder: Recurrent panic attacks with intense fear and physiological symptoms.

• Phobia: Irrational fear of specific objects or situations.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Persistent anxiety and flashbacks following a traumatic event.

Mood Disorders

• Major Depressive Disorder: Prolonged sadness, loss of interest, and other symptoms affecting daily life.

• Bipolar Disorder: Alternating periods of depression and mania.

Personality Disorders

• Antisocial Personality Disorder: Lack of empathy and disregard for others’ rights.

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Exaggerated self-importance and need for admiration.

• Borderline Personality Disorder: Instability in relationships, emotions, and self-image.

Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders

• Schizophrenia: A disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and impaired functioning.

• Delusions: False beliefs not based in reality.

• Hallucinations: Sensory experiences without an external stimulus.

• Dopamine Hypothesis: Suggests that excess dopamine activity is linked to schizophrenia.

Eating Disorders

• Anorexia Nervosa: Severe restriction of food intake due to fear of weight gain.

• Bulimia Nervosa: Binge eating followed by purging.

• Binge-Eating Disorder: Frequent binge eating without purging.

Biological and Neurological Influences on Mental Health

• Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers that play a role in mood and behavior.

  • Dopamine: Linked to schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease.

  • Serotonin: Associated with depression and mood regulation.

  • GABA: Inhibitory neurotransmitter linked to anxiety disorders.

• Twin Studies: Research showing genetic influence on psychological disorders.

• Diathesis-Stress Model: Interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental stressors in developing disorders.