Psychological Disorder
deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional behavior patterns
Medical Model
the concept that diseases have physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and, in most cases, cured. When applied to psychological disorders, assumes that these mental illnesses can be diagnosed on the basis of their symptoms and cured through therap
DSM IV
the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a widley used system for classifying psychological disorders.
Neurotic Disorders
usually distressing but allows one to think rationally and function socially
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
Psychotic Disorders
severe mental disorders that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions
Phobia
an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations
OCD
an anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts and or actions
Panic Disorder
an anxiety disorder marked by a minutes-long episode of intense dread in which a person experiences terror and accompanying chest pain, choking, or other frightening sensations
Somatoform Disorders
disorders characterized by physical symptoms for which no known physical cause exists
Conversion Disorder
a mental disorder characterized by the conversion of mental conflict into somatic forms (into paralysis or anesthesia having no apparent cause)
Hypochondriasis
A somatoform disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation with health concerns and incessant worry about developing physical illnesses.
ADHD
a psychological disorder marked by the appearance by age 7 of one or more of three key symptoms: extreme inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity
Dissociative Disorders
disorders in which conscious awareness becomes separated from previous memories, thoughts, and feelings
Amnesia
partial or total loss of memory
Fugue
dissociative disorder in which a person forgets who who they are and leaves home to creates a new life
Dissociative Identity Disorder
a rare dissociative disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct and alternating personalities
Mood Disorders
psychological disorders characterized by emotional extremes
Major Depressive Disorder
a mood disorder in which a person, for no apparent reason, experiences two or more weeks of depressed moods, feelings of worthlessness, and diminishes interest or pleasure in most activities
Bipolar Disorder
a mood disorder in which the person alternates between the hopelessness and lethargy of depression and the overexcited state of mania
Mania
a mood disorder marked by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state
Schizophrenia
a group of severe disorders characterized by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and actions
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
Biopsychosocial Approach
an integrated perspective that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis
PTSD
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