Stress – The body's response to challenges or demands, which can be positive (eustress) or negative (distress).
Hypertension – A chronic condition of high blood pressure that increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Headaches – Pain in the head, often caused by stress, tension, or underlying medical conditions.
Immune Suppression – A weakened immune system, often due to chronic stress, making the body more vulnerable to illness.
Stressors (eustress or distress; ACEs) – Events or conditions that cause stress, which can be positive (eustress) or harmful (distress); Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to early life trauma.
GAS (General Adaptation Syndrome) – A three-stage response to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
Tend and Befriend Theory – A theory suggesting that people respond to stress by seeking social support and protecting others, especially common in females.
Problem-Focused Coping – A coping strategy that involves addressing the root cause of stress directly.
Emotion-Focused Coping – A coping strategy that focuses on managing emotions rather than solving the problem.
Positive Psychology – The study of human strengths, happiness, and well-being.
Subjective Well-Being – An individual's perceived happiness and life satisfaction.
Positive Subjective Experiences – Pleasant experiences such as joy, gratitude, and love that contribute to well-being.
Posttraumatic Growth – Positive psychological changes that occur as a result of overcoming adversity.
Psychological Disorder – A condition that disrupts thoughts, emotions, or behaviors and impairs daily functioning.
DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) – A classification system by the American Psychological Association used to diagnose mental disorders.
ICD (International Classification of Mental Disorders) – A diagnostic manual by the World Health Organization for mental and physical health disorders.
Eclectic Approach – A therapy method that combines different psychological techniques based on a client's needs.
Diathesis-Stress Model – A theory that mental disorders result from a genetic predisposition combined with environmental stressors.
19a) ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) – A disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
19b) ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) – A developmental disorder affecting communication, social skills, and behavior.
20a) Delusions – False beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary.
20b) Hallucinations – Sensory experiences (such as hearing voices) that occur without external stimuli.
20c) Disorganized Thinking/Speech – Confused or incoherent thought patterns and speech.
20d) Disorganized Motor Behaviors – Unusual or erratic physical movements.
20e) Negative Symptoms – Absence of normal behaviors, such as lack of motivation or speech.
20f) Positive Symptoms – Excessive behaviors, such as hallucinations or delusions.
21a) Major Depressive Disorder – A persistent state of deep sadness, loss of interest, and other symptoms.
21b) Persistent Depressive Disorder – A long-term, milder form of depression lasting two years or more.
22a) Bipolar I – A disorder with extreme mood swings, including full manic episodes.
22b) Bipolar II – A disorder with less severe mania (hypomania) but still includes depressive episodes.
23a) Specific Phobia – An intense fear of a specific object or situation.
23b) Agoraphobia – Fear of situations where escape may be difficult, leading to avoidance.
23c) Panic Disorder – Recurrent panic attacks with intense fear and physical symptoms.
Ataque de nervios – A culture-specific panic-like reaction seen in Latin America.
23d) Social Anxiety Disorder – Extreme fear of social situations and judgment.
Taijin kyofusho – A culture-bound social anxiety disorder in Japan related to fear of offending others.
23e) Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life.
24a) Obsessions – Intrusive, unwanted thoughts that cause anxiety.
24b) Compulsions – Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety.
24c) Hoarding Disorder – Difficulty discarding items, leading to excessive clutter.
25a) Dissociative Amnesia – Memory loss often caused by trauma, with or without fugue (wandering).
25b) Dissociative Identity Disorder – A condition where a person has multiple distinct personalities.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – A disorder triggered by traumatic experiences, leading to flashbacks and anxiety.
27a) Anorexia Nervosa – An eating disorder characterized by food restriction and an intense fear of weight gain.
27b) Bulimia Nervosa – An eating disorder involving binge eating followed by purging behaviors.
28a) Cluster A (Odd/Eccentric)
Paranoid – Distrust and suspicion of others.
Schizoid – Detachment from social relationships and limited emotions.
Schizotypal – Odd thoughts, behaviors, and discomfort in social situations.
28b) Cluster B (Dramatic/Erratic)
Antisocial – Disregard for others’ rights and lack of remorse.
Histrionic – Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking.
Narcissistic – Grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.
Borderline – Instability in emotions, relationships, and self-image.
28c) Cluster C (Anxious/Fearful)
Avoidant – Social inhibition due to fear of rejection.
Dependent – Excessive need for care and fear of separation.
Obsessive-Compulsive – Preoccupation with orderliness and perfectionism.
Psychotherapy – A treatment approach that involves talking with a therapist to address mental health issues.
Evidence-Based Interventions – Treatments supported by scientific research.
Therapeutic Alliance – The collaborative relationship between therapist and client.
Psychotropic Medication – Drugs used to treat mental disorders.
33a) Nonmaleficence – Avoiding harm to patients.
33b) Fidelity – Maintaining trust and commitment in therapy.
33c) Integrity – Honesty and professionalism in treatment.
33d) Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity – Valuing clients' autonomy and confidentiality.
Psychodynamic Therapies
Free Association – Saying whatever comes to mind to uncover unconscious thoughts.
Cognitive Therapies
Cognitive Restructuring – Changing negative thought patterns.
Fear Hierarchies – Gradual exposure to fears to reduce anxiety.
Cognitive Triad – Negative thoughts about oneself, the world, and the future.
Behavior Therapies
Exposure Therapies – Reducing fear through controlled exposure.
Systematic Desensitization – Gradual exposure paired with relaxation.
Aversion Therapies – Associating unwanted behaviors with unpleasant outcomes.
Token Economies – Reward-based behavior modification.
Biofeedback – Using physiological feedback to control stress responses.
Cognitive-Behavior Therapies
Dialectical Behavior Therapy – A treatment for emotional regulation.
Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy – Challenging irrational thoughts.
Humanistic Therapies
Person-Centered Therapy – A nonjudgmental approach focusing on self-growth.
Active Listening – Reflective listening to show understanding.
Unconditional Positive Regard – Accepting clients without judgment.
Group Therapy – Therapy conducted with multiple participants.
Hypnosis – A trance-like state used for therapeutic purposes.
Psychoactive Medications – Drugs that alter brain function.
Surgical or Invasive Interventions
Psychosurgery – Brain surgery to alter behavior.
TMS – Noninvasive brain stimulation.
Electroconvulsive Therapy – Electric shocks used to treat severe depression.
Lobotomy – An outdated procedure severing brain connections.