psychopathology
sickness or disorder of the mind
etiology
factors that contribute to the development of a disorder
dimensional nature of psychopathology
symptoms of psychological disorders occur along continuums. they are not absolute states. a person who falls below the cut-off level may not meet the diagnostic criteria buy may still experience symptoms that interfere with his or her life and will theref
comorbidity
psychological disorders commonly overlap. for instance, substance abuse is common across psychological disorders, and people with depression (or a milder form known as persistent depressive disorder) often also have anxiety disorders (such as panic disord
assessment
in psychology, examination of a person's cognitive, behavioural, or emotional functioning to diagnose possible psychological disorders
diathesis-stress model
a diagnostic model that proposes that a disorder may develop when an underlying vulnerability is coupled with a precipitating event
sociocultural model
a diagnostic model that views psychopathology as the result of the interaction between individuals and their cultures
cognitive-behavioural approach
a diagnostic model that views psychopathology as the result of learned, maladaptive thoughts and beliefs
anxiety disorder
a psychological disorder characterised by excessive fear and anxiety in the absence of true danger
generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
a diffuse state of constant anxiety not associated with any specific object or event
panic disorder
an anxiety disorder that consists of sudden, overwhelming attacks of terror
agoraphobia
an anxiety disorder marked by fear of being in situations in which escape may be difficult or impossible
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
a disorder characterised by frequent intrusive thoughts and compulsive actions
post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
a disorder that involves frequent nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and flashbacks related to an earlier trauma
major depressive disorder
a disorder characterised by severe negative moods or a lack of interest in normally pleasurable activities
persistent depressive disorder
a form of depression that is not severe enough to be diagnosed as major depressive disorder
learned helplessness
a cognitive model of depression in which people feel unable to control events in their lives
bipolar 1 disorder
a disorder characterised by extremely elevated moods during manic episodes and, frequently, depressive episodes as well
bipolar 2 disorder
a disorder characterised by alternating periods of extremely depressed and mildly elevated moods
dissociative identity disorder (DID)
the occurrence of two or more distinct identities in the same individual
schizophrenia
a psychological disorder characterised by a split between thought and emotion; in involves alterations in thoughts, perceptions, or consciousness
delusions
false beliefs based on incorrect inferences about reality
hallucinations
false sensory perceptions that are experienced without an external source
disorganised speech
speaking in an incoherent fashion that involves frequently changing topics and saying strange or inappropriate things
disorganised behaviour
acting in strange or unusual ways, including stage movement of limbs, bizarre speech, and inappropriate self-care, such as failing to dress properly or bathe
negative symptoms
symptoms of schizophrenia that are marked by deficits in functioning, such as apathy, lack of emotion, and slowed speech and movement
borderline personality disorder
a personality disorder characterised by disturbances in identity, in affect, and impulse control
antisocial personality disorder (APD)
a personality disorder in which people engage in socially undesirable behaviour, are hedonistic and impulsive, and lack empathy
autism spectrum disorder
a developmental disorder characterised by deficits in social interaction, by impaired communication, and by restricted interests
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
a disorder characterised by restlessness, inattentiveness, and impulsivity