Psychological disorder
deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional behavior patterns
Medical model
the concept that diseases, in this case psychological disorders, have physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and in most cases, cured, often through treatment in a hospital
DSM-IV-TR
the American Psychiatric Association's widely used system for classifying psychological disorders.
Anxiety disorders
psychological disorders characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety, or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety
Generalized anxiety disorder
an anxiety disorder in which a person is continually tense, apprehensive, and in a state of autonomic nervous system arousal
Panic disorder
an anxiety disorder marked by unpredictable minutes-long episodes of intense dread in which a person experiences terror and accompanying chest pain, choking, or other frightening sensations
Phobias
an anxiety disorder marked by a persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of a specific object or situation
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
an anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or actions (compulsions)
Post-traumatic stress disorder
an anxiety disorder characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and/or insomnia that lingers for four weeks or more after a traumatic experience
Post-traumatic growth
positive psychological changes as a result of struggling with extremely challenging circumstances and life crises
Anterior cingulate cortex
an area in the brain that monitors our actions and checks for errors
Somatoform disorders
psychological disorder in which the symptoms take a somatic (bodily) form without apparent physical cause
Conversion disorder
a rare somatoform disorder in which a person experiences very specific genuine physical symptoms for which no physiological basis can be found
Hypochondriasis
a somatoform disorder in which a person interprets normal physical sensations as symptoms of a disease
Dissociative disorders
disorders in which conscious awareness becomes separated from previous memories, thoughts, and feelings
Dissociative identity disorder (DID)
a rare dissociative disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct and alternating personalities. Formerly called multiple personality disorder
Mood disorders
psychological disorders characterized by emotional extremes
Major depressive disorder
a mood disorder in which a person experiences, in the absences of drugs or a medical condition, two or more weeks of significantly depressed moods, feelings of worthlessness, and diminished interest or pleasure in most activities. Results from a scarcenes
Mania
a mood disorder marked by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state. Results from an excess of norepinephrine
Bipolar disorder
a mood disorder in which the person alternates between the hopelessness and lethargy of depression and the overexcited state of mania
Schizophrenia
a group of severe disorders characterized by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and actions. Results from an excess of dopamine receptors (positive symptoms), and the likelihood of developing schizophre
Delusions
false beliefs, often of persecution or grandeur that may accompany psychotic disorders
Personality disorders
psychological disorders characterized by inflexible and enduring behavior patterns that impair social functioning
Antisocial personality disorder
a personality disorder in which the person, usually a man, exhibits a lack of conscience for wrongdoing, even toward friends and family members. May be aggressive and ruthless or a clever con artist
Disthymic disorder
lies between blue mood and major depressive disorder. A disorder characterized by daily depression lasting two years or more.