Unit 5 Mental and Physical Health

  1. Stress – The body's response to challenges or demands, which can be positive (eustress) or negative (distress).

  2. Hypertension – A chronic condition of high blood pressure that increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

  3. Headaches – Pain in the head, often caused by stress, tension, or underlying medical conditions.

  4. Immune Suppression – A weakened immune system, often due to chronic stress, making the body more vulnerable to illness.

  5. 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.

  6. GAS (General Adaptation Syndrome) – A three-stage response to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

  7. Tend and Befriend Theory – A theory suggesting that people respond to stress by seeking social support and protecting others, especially common in females.

  8. Problem-Focused Coping – A coping strategy that involves addressing the root cause of stress directly.

  9. Emotion-Focused Coping – A coping strategy that focuses on managing emotions rather than solving the problem.

  10. Positive Psychology – The study of human strengths, happiness, and well-being.

  11. Subjective Well-Being – An individual's perceived happiness and life satisfaction.

  12. Positive Subjective Experiences – Pleasant experiences such as joy, gratitude, and love that contribute to well-being.

  13. Posttraumatic Growth – Positive psychological changes that occur as a result of overcoming adversity.

  14. Psychological Disorder – A condition that disrupts thoughts, emotions, or behaviors and impairs daily functioning.

  15. DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) – A classification system by the American Psychological Association used to diagnose mental disorders.

  16. ICD (International Classification of Mental Disorders) – A diagnostic manual by the World Health Organization for mental and physical health disorders.

  17. Eclectic Approach – A therapy method that combines different psychological techniques based on a client's needs.

  18. Diathesis-Stress Model – A theory that mental disorders result from a genetic predisposition combined with environmental stressors.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

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.

Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders

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.

Depressive Disorders

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.

Bipolar Disorders

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.

Anxiety Disorders

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.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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.

Dissociative Disorders

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.

  1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – A disorder triggered by traumatic experiences, leading to flashbacks and anxiety.

Eating and Feeding Disorders

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.

Personality Disorders

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.

Therapies and Treatments

  1. Psychotherapy – A treatment approach that involves talking with a therapist to address mental health issues.

  2. Evidence-Based Interventions – Treatments supported by scientific research.

  3. Therapeutic Alliance – The collaborative relationship between therapist and client.

  4. Psychotropic Medication – Drugs used to treat mental disorders.

Ethical Principles of Treatment

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.

Therapeutic Approaches

  1. Psychodynamic Therapies

  • Free Association – Saying whatever comes to mind to uncover unconscious thoughts.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. Cognitive-Behavior Therapies

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy – A treatment for emotional regulation.

  • Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy – Challenging irrational thoughts.

  1. 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.

  1. Group Therapy – Therapy conducted with multiple participants.

  2. Hypnosis – A trance-like state used for therapeutic purposes.

Medical Interventions

  1. Psychoactive Medications – Drugs that alter brain function.

  2. 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.