Definitions Flashcards
(439 cards)
1
Q
The scientific study whose objectives are to describe, explain, predict and modify behaviors associated with mental disorders
A
Abnormal Psychology
2
Q
Restraint from the use of alcohol, drugs, or other addictive substances
A
Abstinence
3
Q
The psychological, physical, and social pressures experienced by individuals who are adapting to a new culture
A
Acculturative Stress
4
Q
A condition characterized by flashbacks, hypervigilance, and avoidance symptoms that last up to one month after exposure to a traumatic stressor
A
Acute Stress Disorder
5
Q
Performance on tasks of daily living, including academic skills, self care and the ability to work or live independently
A
Adaptive Behavior
6
Q
Compulsive drug seeking behavior and a loss of control over drug use
A
Addiction
7
Q
A condition involving reactions to life stressors that are disproportionate to the security or intensity of the event or situation
A
Adjustment Disorder
8
Q
A gland that releases sex hormones and other hormones, such as cortisol, in response to stress
A
Adrenal Gland
9
Q
An intense fear of being in public places where escape or help may not be readily available
A
Agoraphobia
10
Q
Toxic effects resulting from rapidly consuming alcohol or ingesting a large quantity of alcohol
- Can result in impaired breathing, coma, or death
A
Alcohol Poisoning
11
Q
A condition in which the individual is dependent on alcohol and has difficulty controlling drinking
A
Alcoholism
12
Q
The gene pair responsible for a specific trait
A
Alleles
13
Q
Lack of meaningful speech
A
Alogia
14
Q
Dementia involving memory loss and other declines in cognitive and adaptive functioning
A
Alzheimer’s Disease
15
Q
A prenatal screening procedure involving withdrawal of amniotic fluid from the fetal sac
A
Amniocentesis
16
Q
The brain structure associated with the processing, expression, and memory of emotions; especially anger and fear
A
Amygdala
17
Q
An investigation that attempts to replicate or simulate, under controlled conditions, a situation that occurs in real life
A
Analogue Study
18
Q
Inability to experience pleasure from previously enjoyed activities
A
Anhedonia
19
Q
An eating disorder characterized by low body weight, an intense fear of becoming obese, and body image distortion
A
Anorexia Nervosa
20
Q
Medicine developed to counteract symptoms of psychosis
A
Antipsychotic Medication
21
Q
A personality pattern characterized by a failure to conform to social and legal codes, a lack of anxiety and guilt, and irresponsible behaviors
A
Antisocial Personality Disorder
22
Q
An anticipatory emotion that produces bodily reactions that prepare us for “fight or flight”
A
Anxiety
23
Q
Fear or anxiety symptoms that interfere with an individual’s day to day functioning
A
Anxiety Disorder
24
Q
A trait involving fear of physiological changes within the body
A
Anxiety Sensitive
25
A class of medications that reduce anxiety
Anxiolytics
26
Minimal interest in social relationships
Asociality
27
The gender to which a child is socially assigned at birth based on biological sex
Assigned Gender
28
A chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs
Asthma
29
A condition involving the progressive thickening and hardening of the walls of arteries due to an accumulation of fats and cholesterol
Atherosclerosis
30
The measurement of the force of blood against the walls of the arteries and veins
Blood Pressure
31
Childhood onset disorder characterized by persistent attentional problems and/or impulsive, hyperactive behaviors
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
32
A characteristic way of explaining why positive or negative events occur
Attributional Style
33
Newer antipsychotic medications that are chemically different and less likely to produce the side effects associated with first generation antipsychotics
Atypical Antipsychotics
34
A visual or physical sensation (eg, tingling of an extremity or flashes of light) that precedes a headache
Aura
35
A disorder characterized by a continuum of impairment in social communication and restricted, stereotypical interests and activities
Autism Spectrum Disorder
36
A system that coordinates basic physiological functions and regulates physical responses associated with emotional reactions
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
37
A personality pattern characterized by a fear of rejection and humiliation and an avoidance of social situations
Avoidant Personality Disorder
38
Lack of motivation; an inability to take action or to become goal oriented
Avolition
39
An extension on the neuron cell body that sends signals to other neurons, muscles, and glands
Axon
40
Shyness
Behavioral Inhibition
41
Models of psychopathology concerned with the role of learning in abnormal behavior
Behavioral Models
42
A personality trait associated with rebelliousness, novelty seeking, risk taking, and impulsivity
Behavioral Undercontrol
43
Clumps of beta - amyloid proteins found in the spaces between neurons
Beta - Amyloid Plaques
44
Episodic intake of five or more alcoholic beverages for men or four or more drinks for women
Binge Drinking
45
Rapid consumption of large quantities of food
Binge Eating
46
An eating disorder that involves the consumption of large amounts of food over a short period of time with accompanying feelings of loss of control and distress over the excess eating
Binge Eating Disorder
47
A physiological and behavioral approach in which an individual receives information regarding particular autonomic functions and is rewarded by influencing those functions in a desired direction
Biofeedback Training
48
The perspective suggesting that interactions among biological, psychological, and social factors cause mental disorders
Biopsychosocial Model
49
A diagnosis that involves at least one manic episode that has impaired social or occupational functioning
- The person may or may not experience depression or psychotic symptoms
Bipolar I Disorder
50
A diagnosis that involves at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode
Bipolar II Disorder
51
A condition involving a preoccupation with a perceived physical defect or excessive concern over a slight physical defect
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
52
An estimate of body fat calculated on the basis of a person's height and weight
Body Mass Index (BMI)
53
A personality pattern characterized by intense fluctuations in mood, self image and interpersonal relationships
Borderline Personality Disorder
54
A dysfunction or disease of the brain
Brain Pathology
55
Psychiatric episodes with a duration of at least one day but less than one month
Brief Psychiatric Disorder
56
An eating disorder in which episodes involve rapid consumption of large quantities of food and a loss of control over eating are followed by purging, excessive exercise, or fasting in an attempt to compensate for binges
Bulimia Nervosa
57
Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels
Cardiovascular
58
An intensive study of one individual that relies on clinical data (such as observations), psychological tests and historical and biographical information
Case Study
59
A condition characterized by marked disturbance in motor activity - either extreme excitement or motoric immobility
Catatonia
60
Bruising of the brain, often resulting from a blow that causes the brain to forcefully strike the skull
Cerebral Contusion
61
The outermost layers of brain tissue
| - Covers the Cerebrum
Cerebral Cortex
62
An open head injury in which brain tissue is torn, pierced, or ruptured
Cerebral Laceration
63
The emotional and behavioral manifestation of psychological disorders in children and adolescents
Child Psychopathology
64
A progressive, degenerative condition involving brain damage resulting from multiple episodes of head trauama
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathopy
65
An internal clock or daily cycle of internal biological rhythms that influence various bodily processes such as body temperature and sleep - wake cycles
Circadian Rhythm
66
The involuntary confinement of a person judged to be a danger to the self or others, even though the person has not committed a crime
Civil Committment
67
A process in which responses to new stimuli are learned through association
Classical Conditioning
68
Excruciating stabbing or burning sensations located in the eye or cheek
Cluster Headache
69
Explanation based on the assumption that thoughts mediate an individual's emotional state or behavior in response to a stimulus
Cognitive Models
70
A cognitive strategy that attempts to alter unrealistic thoughts that are believed to be responsible for fears and anxiety
Cognitive Restructuring
71
Symptoms of Schizophrenia associated with problems with attention, memory, and developing a plan of action
Cognitive Symptoms
72
Existing simultaneously with another condition
Comorbid
73
A judgement that a defendant has a factual and rational understanding of the criminal proceedings and can rationally consult with counsel in presenting a defense
Competency to Stand Trial
74
The need to perform acts or mental tasks to reduce anxiety
Compulsion
75
The degree of similarity between twins or family members with respect to a trait or disorder
Concordance Rate
76
Trauma induced changes in brain functioning, typically caused by a blow to the head
Concussion
77
In classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has acquired some of the properties of another stimulus with which it has been paired
Conditioned Response
78
In classical conditioning, a previously neutral stimulus that has acquired some of the properties of another stimulus with which it has been paired
Conditioned Stimulus
79
A persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others, including aggression, serious rule violations, and illegal behavior
Conduct Disorder
80
An ethical standard that protects clients from disclosure of information without their consent
Confidentiality
81
Consuming no more than a predetermined amount of alcohol
Controlled Drinking
82
A condition involving sensory or motor impairment suggestive of a neurological disorder but with no underlying medical cause
Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)
83
Involuntary utterance of obscenities or inappropriate remarks
Coprolalia
84
A condition involving the narrowing of cardiac arteries, resulting in the restriction or partial blockage of the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart
Coronary Heart Disease
85
The extent to which variations in one variable are accompanied by increases or decreases in a second variable
Correlation
86
A hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to stress
Cortisol
87
Extensively discussing negative feelings or events with peers or others
Co-rumination
88
The usual pattern that a disorder follows
Course
89
The incarceration of an individual for having committed a crime
Criminal Committment
90
A condition involving minor hypomanic symptoms that are consistently interspersed with milder depressed moods for at least two years
Cyclothymic Disorder
91
A person's potential for doing harm to the self or to others
Dangerousness
92
In Psychoanalytic Theory, an ego protection strategy that shelters the individual from anxiety, operates unconsciously, and distorts reality
Defense Mechanism
93
The shifting of responsibility for the care of mental patients from large central institutions to agencies within local communities
Deinstitutionalization
94
Persistent delay or inability to ejaculate within the vagina despite adequate excitement and stimulation
Delayed Ejaculation
95
An acute state of confusion involving diminished awareness, disorientation, and impaired attentional skills
Delirium
96
A firmly held false belief
Delusion
97
A condition involving persistent delusions without other unusual or odd behaviors
- Tactile and olfactory hallucinations related to the delusional theme may be present
Delusional Disorder
98
A condition involving deterioration in cognition and independent functioning
Dementia
99
Dementia involving visual hallucinations, cognitive fluctuations, and atypical movements
Dementia with Lewy Bodies
100
A short, rootlike structure on the neuron cell body that receives signals from other neurons
Dendrite
101
A personality pattern characterized by submissive, clinging behavior and an excessive need to be taken care of
Dependent Personality Disorder
102
A variable that is expected to change when an independent variable is manipulated in a psychological experiment
Dependent Variable
103
A dissociative condition characterized by feelings of unreality concerning the self and the environment
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
104
A substance that causes a slowing of responses and generalized expression of the central nervous system
Depressant
105
A mood state characterized by sadness or despair, feelings of worthlessness, and withdrawal from others
Depression
106
The phase of alcohol or drug treatment during which the body is purged of intoxicating substances
Detoxification
107
The arterial force exerted when the heart is relaxed and the ventricles of the heart are filling with blood
Diastolic Pressure
108
A law standard allowing a defendant to be convicted of a lesser offense due to mental impairment
Diminished Capacity
109
Reduced display of observable verbal and nonverbal behaviors that communicate internal emotions
Diminished Emotional Expression
110
Unjust or prejudicial treatment toward a person based on the person's actual or perceived membership in a certain group
Discrimination
111
A trauma related attachment disorder characterized by indiscriminate, superficial attachments and desperation for interpersonal contact
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
112
Physically or psychologically unhealthy eating behavior such as chronic overeating or dieting with the goal of losing or controlling weight or managing emotions
Disordered Eating
113
A childhood disorder involving chronic irritability and significantly exaggerated anger reactions
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
114
Sudden partial or total loss of important personal information or recall of events due to psychological events
Dissociative Amnesia
115
A substance that produces a dreamlike attachment
Dissociative Anesthetic
116
A group of disorders; including dissociative amnesia, dissociative identity disorder, and depersonalization/derealization disorder; all of which involve some sort of dissociation, or separation, of a part of the person's consciousness, memory, or identity
Dissociative Disorders
117
An episode involving complete loss of memory of one's life and identity, unexpected travel to a new location, or assumption of a new identity
Dissociative Fugue
118
A condition in which two or more relatively independent personality states appear to exist in one person, including experiences of possession
- Also known as multiple personality disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder
119
The suggestion that Schizophrenia may result from excess dopamine activity at certain synaptic sites
Dopamine Hypothesis
120
An experimental design in which neither those helping with the experiment nor the participants are aware of experimental conditions
Double Blind Design
121
A chromosomal disorder (most frequently involving an extra copy of chromosome 21) that causes physical and neurological abnormalities
Down Syndrome
122
A psychoanalytic technique focusing on interpreting the hidden meaning of dreams
Dream Analysis
123
When the effect of a medication is changed, enhanced, or diminished when taken with another drug, including herbal substances
Drug - Drug Interactions
124
The constitutional guarantee of fair treatment within the judicial system
Due Process
125
A test of legal insanity also known as the product test
| - An accused person is not responsible if the unlawful act was the product of a mental disease or defect
Durham Standard
126
A condition involving difficulties in understanding mathematical skills or concepts
Dyscalculia
127
A condition involving significant difficulties with reading skills
Dyslexia
128
Recurrent or persistent pain in the genitals before, during, or after sexual intercourse
Dyspareunia
129
Repetition of vocalizations made by another person
Echolalia
130
A mood state involving extreme confidence and exaggerated feelings of energy and well being
Elevated Mood
131
Unstable and rapidly changing emotions and mood
Emotional Lability
132
Measurable characteristics (neurochemical, endocrinological, neuroanatomical, cognitive, or neuropsychological) that can give clues regarding the specific genes involved in disorders
Endophenotypes
133
An independent neural system involved with digestion; capable of signaling the brain regarding stress and other emotions
Enteric Nervous System (ENS)
134
The study of the prevalence and distribution of mental disorders in a population
Epidemiological Research
135
A field of biological research focused on understanding how environmental factors influence gene expression
Epigenetics
136
A hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to physical or mental stress
- Also known as adrenaline
Epinephrine
137
An inability to attain or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse
Erectile Disorder
138
Model developed to explain the cause of a disorder
Etiological Model
139
The cause or origin of a disorder
Etiology
140
An exceptionally elevated mood
| - Exaggerated feeling of well being
Euphoria
141
A condition involving a distressing and recurrent compulsive picking of the skin resulting in skin lesions
Excoriation (Skin Picking) Disorder
142
Mental processes that involve the planning, organizing and attention required to meet short term and long term goals
Executive Functioning
143
Urges, acts, or fantasies that involve exposing one's genitals to strangers
Exhibitionistic Disorder
144
A practice used to cast evil spirits out of an afflicted person's body
Exorcism
145
Person may feel extremely confident or self important and behave impulsively
Expansive Mood
146
A technique of scientific inquiry in which a prediction is made about two variables; the independent is then manipulated in a controlled situation, and change in the dependent variable are measured
Experiment
147
A prediction concerning how an independent variable will affect a dependent variable in an experiment
Experimental Hypothesis
148
A treatment approach based on extinction principles that involves gradual or rapid exposure to feared objects or situations
Exposure Therapy
149
A negative communication pattern found among some relatives of individuals with Schizophrenia
Expressed Emotion (EE)
150
Disruptive behavior disorders associated with symptoms that disturb others
Externalizing Disorders
151
The decrease of cessation of a behavior due to the gradual weakening of a classically or operantly conditioned response
Extinction
152
Side effects such as restlessness, involuntary movements, and muscular tension that affect a person's gait, movement or posture produced by antipsychotic medications
Extrapyramidal Symptoms
153
A therapy for PTSD involving visualization of the traumatic experience combined with rapid, rhythmic eye movements
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
154
A condition in which a person deliberately induces or simulates symptoms of physical or mental illness with no apparent incentive other than attention from medical personnel or others
Factitious Disorder
155
A pattern of falsification or production of physical or psychological symptoms in another individual
Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another
156
Symptoms of illness are deliberately induced, simulated or exaggerated, with no apparent external incentive
Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self
157
An explanation that assumes that the family is an interdependent system and that mental disorders reflect processes occurring within the family system
Family Systems Model
158
An intense emotion experienced in response to a threatening situation
Fear
159
The elimination of conditioned fear responses associated with a trauma
Fear Extinction
160
Sexual dysfunction involving persistent delay or inability to achieve an orgasm with adequate clitoral stimulation
Female Orgasmic Disorder
161
Distressing disinterest in sexual activities or an inability to attain or maintain physiological or psychological arousal during sexual activity
Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder
162
A continuum of detrimental neurological and behavioral effects resulting from maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Effects
163
A condition resulting from maternal alcohol consumption during gestation that involves central nervous system dysfunction and altered brain development
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
164
Sexual attraction and fantasies involving inanimate objects
Fetishistic Disorder
165
An investigative technique in which behaviors and events are observed and recorded in their natural environment
Field Study
166
A group of medications originally developed to combat psychotic symptoms by reducing dopamine levels in the brain
- Also called conventional or typical antipsychotics
First Generation Antipsychotics
167
Rapidly changing or disjointed thoughts
Flight of Ideas
168
A technique that involves inducing a high anxiety level through continued actual or imagined exposure to a fear arousing situation
Flooding
169
An inherited condition involving limited production of proteins required for brain development resulting in mild to severe intellectual disability
Fragile X Syndrome
170
A psychoanalytic therapeutic technique in which clients are asked to say whatever comes to mind for the purpose of revealing their unconscious thoughts
Free Association
171
Dementia involving degeneration in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain causing declines in language and behavior
Frontotemporal Lobar Generation
172
Reccurent and intense sexual urges, acts, or fantasies that involve sexual touching or rubbing against a nonconsenting person
Frotteuristic Disorder
173
A substance that leads to the use of additional substances that are even more lethal
Gateway Drug
174
Distress and impaired functioning resulting from an incongruence between a person's gender identity and assigned gender
Gender Dysphoria
175
The process by which information encoded in a gene is translated into a specialized function or phenotype
Gene Expression
176
A condition characterized by persistent, high levels of anxiety and excessive worry over many life circumstances
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
177
Segments of DNA coded within information needed for the biological inheritance of various traits
Genes
178
Studies that attempt to determine whether a disorder follows a genetic pattern
Genetic Linkage Studies
179
An alteration in a gene that changes the instructions within the gene
- Some mutations result in biological dysfunction
Genetic Mutation
180
Physical pain or discomfort associated with intercourse or penetration
Genito - Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder
181
A person's genetic makeup
Genotype
182
Cells that support and protect neurons
Glia
183
An overevaluation of one's significance or importance
Grandiosity
184
Brain tissue comprised of the cell bodies of neurons and glia
Gray Matter
185
A therapeutic technique in which a client is taught to substitute new behaviors for habitual behaviors such as a tic
Habitat Reversal
186
A sensory experience (such as an image, sound, smell or taste) that seems real but that does not exist outside of the mind
Hallucination
187
A substance that induces perceptual distortions and heightens sensory awareness
Hallucinogen
188
Chronic alcohol intake of more than two drinks per day for men and more than one drink per day for women
Heavy Drinking
189
A stroke involving leakage of blood into the brain
Hemorrhagic Stroke
190
The genetic transmission of personality characteristics
Hereditary
191
The brain structure involved with the formation, organization and storing of emotionally relevant memories
Hippocampus
192
A personality pattern characterized by extreme emotionality and attention seeking
Histrionic Personality Disorder
193
A condition involving congested living conditions due to the accumulation of possessions and distress over the thought of discording them
Hoarding Disorder
194
The ability to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting physiological processes
Homeostasis
195
Regulatory chemicals that influence various physiological activities; such as metabolism, digestion and growth
Hormones
196
A philosophical movement that emphasizes human welfare and the worth and uniqueness of the individual
Humanism
197
The optimistic viewpoint that people are born with the ability to fulfill their potential and that abnormal behavior results from disharmony between a person's potential and self concept
Humanistic Perspective
198
A genetic disease characterized by involuntary twitching movements and eventual dementia
Huntington's Disease
199
A chronic condition characterized by a systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 or higher
Hypertension
200
Significantly elevated body temperature
Hyperthermia
201
A state of ongoing anxiety in which the person is constantly tense and alert for threats
Hypervigilance
202
A class of medications that induce sleep
Hypnotics
203
A milder form of mania involving increased levels of activity and goal directed behaviors combined with an elevated, expansive, or irritable mood
Hypomania
204
The system involved in stress and trauma reactions and regulation of body processes such as "fight or flight" responses
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) Axis
205
The brain structure that regulates bodily drives; such as hunger, thirst and sexual response and bodily conditions; such as body temperature and circadian rhythms
Hypothalamus
206
A tentative explanation for certain factors or observations
Hypothesis
207
An outdated term referring to excessive or uncontrollable emotion, sometimes resulting in somatic symptoms (such as blindness or paralysis) that have no apparent physical cause
Hysteria
208
A condition involving persistent health anxiety and/or concern that one has an undetected physical illness; the person has only mild or no physical symptoms
Illness Anxiety Disorder
209
A tendency to act quickly without careful thought
Impulsivity
210
Sexual relations between people too closely related to marry legally
Incest
211
The number of new cases of a disorder that appear in an identified population within a specified time period
Incidence
212
A variable or condition that an experimenter manipulates to determine its effect on a dependent variable
Independent Variable
213
The legal argument used by defendants who admit that the have committed a crime but plead not guilty because they were mentally disturbed at the time of the offense
Insanity Defense
214
A disorder characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors
Intellectual Disability
215
A condition involving law frequency, high intensity outbursts of extreme verbal or physical aggression or frequent lower intensity outbursts
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
216
Conditions involving emotional symptoms directed inwards
Internalizing Disorders
217
A condition involving problem behaviors or psychological changes that occur with excessive substance use
Intoxication
218
Psychological processes occurring within the mind
Intrapsychic
219
A doctrine that contends that a defendant is not criminally responsible if he or she lacked the willpower to control his or her behavior
Irresistible Impulse Test
220
A stroke due to reduced blood supply caused by a clot or severe narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the brain
Ischemic Stroke
221
A learned belief that one is helpless and unable to affect outcomes
Learned Helplessness
222
An academic disability characterized by reading, writing, or math sills that are substantially below levels that would be expected based on the person's age, intellectual ability, and educational background
Learning Disorder
223
The least restrictive alternative to freedom that is appropriate to a person's condition
Least Restrictive Environment
224
The capability of causing death
Lethality
225
The percentage of people in the population who have had a disorder at some point in their lives
Lifetime Prevalence
226
The group of deep brain structures associated with emotions, decision making, and memory formation
Limbic System
227
Lack of memory for a specific event or events
Localized Amnesia
228
Continual shifting from topic to topic without any apparent logical or meaningful connection between thoughts
Loosening of Associations
229
A cognitive test of legal insanity that inquires whether the accused knew right from wrong when the crime was committed
M'Naghten Rule
230
A condition diagnosed if someone (without a history of hypomania/mania) experiences a depressive episode involving severe depressive symptoms that have a negatively affected functioning most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two full weeks
Major Depressive Disorder
231
A period involving severe depressive symptoms that have impaired functioning for at least two full weeks
Major Depressive Episode
232
A condition involving significant decline in independent living skills and in one or more areas of cognitive functioning
Major Neurocognitive Disorder
233
Sexual dysfunction in men that is characterized by a lack of sexual desire
Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
234
Feigning illness for an external purpose
Malingering
235
The industrialization of health care, whereby large organizations in the private sector control the delivery of services
Managed Health Care
236
A mental state characterized by very exaggerated activity and emotions including euphoria, excessive excitement, or irritability that result in impairment in social or occupational functioning
Mania
237
A deliberately induced state of deep sedation that allows the brain to rest and heal
Medically Induced Coma
238
Psychological symptoms or behavioral patterns that reflect an underlying psychobiological dysfunction, are associated with distress or disability, and are not merely an expectable response to common stressors or losses
Mental Disorder
239
Healthcare practitioners (such as psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers) whose services focus on improving mental health or treating mental illness
Mental Health Professional
240
A mental health condition that negatively affects a person's emotions, thinking, behavior, relationships with others or overall functioning
Mental Illness
241
A medical condition associated with obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension
Metabolic Syndrome
242
Moderate to severe head pain resulting from abnormal brain activity affecting the cranial blood vessels and nerves
Migraine Headache
243
A condition involving a modest decline in at least one major cognitive area
Mild Neurocognitive Disorder
244
Nonjudgemental awareness of thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and the environment
Mindfulness
245
Concurrent hypomanic/manic and depressive symptoms
Mixed Features
246
An analogy used by scientists, usually to describe or explain a phenomenon or process they cannot directly observe
Model
247
The process of learning by observing models (and later imitating them)
Modeling
248
A treatment procedure involving observation in an unfearful individual successfully interacting with a feared object or situation
Modeling Therapy
249
A lower risk pattern of alcohol intake (no more than one or two drinks per day)
Moderate Drinking
250
An emotional state or prevailing frame of mind
Mood
251
A crusade to institute more humane treatment for people with mental illness
Moral Treatment Movement
252
A therapeutic approach that addresses ambivalence and helps clients consider the advantages and disadvantages of changing their behavior
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
253
A tic involving physical behaviors such as eye blinking, facial grimacing, or head jerking
Motor Tic
254
A contemporary view that emphasizes the importance of considering a person's cultural background and related experiences when determining normality and abnormality
Multicultural Model
255
A branch of psychology that focuses on culture, race, ethnicity, gender, age, socioeconomic class, and other similar factors in its effort to understand behavior
Multicultural Psychology
256
A model that provides an organizational framework for understanding the numerous influences on the development of mental disorders, the complexity of their interacting components, and the need to view disorders from a holistic framework
Multipath Model
257
The belief that one's body is too small or insufficiently muscular
Muscle Dysmorphia
258
White, fatty material that surrounds and insulates axon
Myelin
259
The process by which myelin sheaths increase the efficiency of signal transmission between nerve cells
Myelination
260
A personality pattern characterized by an exaggerated sense of self importance, an exploitative attitude and a lack of empathy
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
261
Interpreting events as threatening
Negative Appraisal
262
Increasing the frequency or magnitude of a behavior by removing something aversive
Negative Reinforcement
263
Symptoms of Schizophrenia associated with an inability of decreased ability to initiate actions or speech, express emotions, and feel pleasure
Negative Symptoms
264
The signal relaying network of interconnected neurons
Neural Circuits
265
Uncommitted cells that can be stimulated to form new neurons and glia
Neural Stem Cells
266
A disorder that occurs when brain dysfunction affects thinking processes, memory, consciousness, or perception
Neurocognitive Disorder
267
Declining brain functioning due to progressive loss of brain structure, neurochemical abnormalities, or the death of neurons
Neurodegeneration
268
Conditions involving impaired development of the brain and central nervous system that are evident early in a child's life
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
269
Twisted fibers of tau protein found inside nerve cells
Neurofibrillary Tangles
270
The birth and growth of new neurons
Neurogenesis
271
A nerve cell that transmits messages throughout the body
Neuron
272
Small molecules that can directly and indirectly influence a variety of hormones and neurotransmitters
Neuropeptides
273
The ability of the brain to change its structure and function in response to experience
Neuroplasticity
274
Any of a group of chemicals that help transmit messages between neurons
Neurotransmitter
275
Self harm intended to provide relief from negative feelings or to induce a positive mood state
Non Suicidal Self Injury
276
The normal amount of force exerted by blood against the artery walls
- Systolic pressure is less than 120
- Diastolic pressure is less than 80
Normal Blood Pressure
277
A condition involving a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30
Obesity
278
The theory that suggests that an individual can acquire new behaviors by watching other people perform them
Observational Learning Theory
279
An intrusive, repetitive, thought or image that produces anxiety
Obsession
280
A condition characterized by intrusive, repetitive anxiety producing thoughts or a strong need to perform acts or dwell on thoughts to reduce anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
281
A personality pattern characterized by perfectionism, a tendency to be interpersonally controlling, devotion to details and rigidity
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
282
Voluntary and controllable behavior, such as walking or thinking, that "operates" on an individual's environment
Operant Behavior
283
The theory of learning that holds that behaviors are controlled by the consequences that followed them
Operant Conditioning
284
A painkilling agent that depresses the central nervous system, such as heroin and prescription pain relievers
Opioid
285
A childhood disorder characterized by negativistic, argumentative, and hostile behavior patterns
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
286
The brain region associated with planning and decision making
Orbitofrontal Cortex
287
A seriously disturbed eating pattern that does not fully meet the criteria for another eating disrder diagnosis
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder
288
An episode of intense fear accompanied by symptoms such as a pounding heart, trembling, shortness of breath, and fear of losing control or dying
Panic Attack
289
A condition involving recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with apprehension over future attacks or behavioral changes to avoid attacks
Panic Disorder
290
Suspiciousness about the actions or motives of others
Paranoid Ideation
291
A personality pattern characterized by distrust and suspiciousness regarding the motives of others
Paranoid Personality Disorder
292
Recurring sexual arousal and gratification by means of mental imagery or behavior involving socially unacceptable objects, situations, or individuals
Paraphilia
293
Sexual disorders in which the person has either acted on or is severely distressed by recurrent urges or fantasies involving nonhuman objects, nonconsenting individuals, or suffering of humiliation
Paraphilic Disorders
294
A progressive disorder characterized by poorly controlled motor movements that are sometimes followed by cognitive decline
Parkinson's Disease
295
A childhood disorder involving depressive and energized episodes similar to the mood swings seen in adult bipolar disorder
Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
296
A disorder in which an adult obtains erotic gratification through urges, acts, or fantasies that involve sexual contact with a prepubescent or early pubescent child
Pedophilic Disorder
297
Beliefs of being targeted by others
Persecutory Delusions
298
A condition involving chronic depressive symptoms that are present most of the day for more days than not during a two year period with no more than two months symptom free
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
299
A personality pattern characterized by impairment in self and interpersonal functioning and the presence of pathological personality traits that are relatively inflexible and long standing
Personality Disorder
300
Dysfunctional and maladaptive personality patterns
Personality Psychopathology
301
Observable physical and behavioral characteristics resulting from the interaction between the genotype and the environment
Phenotype
302
A strong, persistent and exaggerated fear of a specific object or situation
Phobia
303
A state of adaption that occurs after chronic exposure to a substance
- Can result in craving and withdrawal symptoms
Physiological Dependence
304
A gland that stimulates hormones associated with growth, sexual and reproductive development, metabolism and stress responses
Pituitary Gland
305
An ineffectual or sham treatment, such as an inactive substance, used as a control in an experimental study
Placebo
306
Improvement produced by expectations of a positive treatment outcome
Placebo Effect
307
Sticky material (composed of fat, cholesterol, and other substances) that builds up on the walls of veins or arteries
Plaque
308
A common DNA mutation of a gene
Polymorphic Variation
309
A common DNA mutation or a variation of a gene
Polymorphism
310
The philosophical and scientific study of positive human functioning and the strengths and assets of individuals, families, and communities
Positive Psychology
311
Desirable actions or rewards that increase the likelihood that a particular behavior will occur
Positive Reinforcement
312
Symptoms of Schizophrenia that involve unusual thoughts of perceptions, such as delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking, or bizarre behavior
Positive Symptoms
313
The replacement of a person's sense of personal identity with a supernatural spirit or power
Possession
314
A condition characterized by flashbacks, hypervigilance, avoidance, and other symptoms that last for more than one month and that occur as a result of exposure to extreme trauma
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
315
A susceptibility to certain symptoms or disorders
Predisposition
316
The outer layer of the prefrontal lobe responsible for inhibiting instinctive responses and performing complex cognitive behavior such as managing attention, behavior and emotion
Prefrontal Cortex
317
A surgical procedure in which the frontal lobes are disconnected from the remainder of the brain
Prefrontal Lobotomy
318
A condition believed to be a precursor to hypertension, stroke, and heart disease, characterized by systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 and diastolic pressure from 80 to 89
Prehypertension
319
An unfair, preconceived judgement about a person or group based on supposed characteristics
Prejudice
320
Ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation before, during, or within one minute after penetration
Premature (Early) Ejaculation
321
A condition involving distressing and disruptive symptoms of depression, irritability and tension that occur the week before menstruation
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
322
Before the onset of major symptoms
Premorbid
323
Rapid, frenzied, or loud and disjointed communication
Pressured Speech
324
The percentage of individuals in a targeted population who have a particular disorder during a specific period of time
Prevalence
325
A therapist's legal obligation to protect a client's privacy and to prevent the disclosure of confidential communications without a client's permission
Privileged Communication
326
Testing involving responses to ambiguous stimuli; such as inkblots, pictures, or incomplete sentences
Projective Personality Test
327
An approach incorporating sustained imaginary and real life exposure to trauma related cues
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
328
Conditions or attributes that lessen or eliminate the risk of a negative psychological or social outcome
Protective Factors
329
An initial diagnosis based on currently available information
Provisional Diagnosis
330
A term created to describe the unbearable psychological hurt, pain and anguish associated with suicide
Psychache
331
A substance that alters mood, thought processes, or other psychological states
Psychoactive Substance
332
Therapy whose goals are to uncover repressed material, to help clients achieve insights into inner motivations and desires, and to resolve childhood conflicts that affect current relationships
Psychoanalysis
333
An assessment and description of an individual's psychological symptoms, including inferences about what might be causing the psychological distress
Psychodiagnosis
334
Model that views disorders as the result of childhood trauma or childhood based anxieties that operate unconsciously
Psychodynamic Model
335
Originating from psychological causes
Psychogenic
336
The systematic examination of existing information after a person's death for the purpose of understanding and explaining the person's behavior before death
Psychological Autopsy
337
The ability to mentally and emotionally adapt to situational demands
Psychological Flexibility
338
The capacity to effectively adapt to and bounce back from stress, trauma and other adversities
Psychological Resilience
339
The study of the symptoms, causes and treatments of mental disorders
Psychopathology
340
The study of the effects of medications on thoughts, emotions and behaviors
Psychopharmocology
341
Any physical disorder that has a strong physiological basis or component
Psychophysiological Disorder
342
In psychodynamic theory, the sequence of stages through which human personality develops
1. Oral
2. Anal
3. Phallic
4. Latency
5. Genital
Psychosexual Stages
343
A condition involving loss of contact with or distorted view of reality, including disorganized thinking, false beliefs, or seeing or hearing things that are not there
Psychosis
344
A program of systematic intervention with the purpose of improving a client's behavioral, emotional, or cognitive symptoms
Psychotherapy
345
Loss of contact with reality that may involve disorganized thinking, false beliefs, or seeing or hearing things that are not there
Psychotic Symptoms
346
Drugs that treat or manage psychiatric symptoms by influencing brain activity associated with emotions and behavior
Psychotropic Medications
347
To rid the body of unwanted calories by means such as self induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications
Purge
348
A form of sexual aggression that involves sexual activity (oral, genital sex, anal intercourse, or vaginal intercourse) performed without a person's consent through the use of force, argument, pressure, alcohol or drugs, or authority
Rape
349
A two phase syndrome that rape survivors may experience, involving such emotional reactions as psychological distress, phobic reactions, and sexual dysfunction
Rape Trauma Syndrome
350
The occurrence of four or more mood episodes per year
Rapid Cycling
351
The philosophy that with appropriate treatment and support those with mental illness can improve and live satisfying lives even with any limitations caused by their illness
Recovery Movement
352
Anything that increases the frequency or magnitude of a behavior
Reinforcer
353
A return to drug or alcohol use after a period of abstinence
Relapse
354
A therapeutic technique in which a person acquires the ability to relax the muscles of the body in almost any circumstance
Relaxation Training
355
The degree to which a measure or procedure yields the same results repeatedly
Reliability
356
A memory of a traumatic event has been repressed and is, therefore, unavailable for recall
Repressed Memory
357
The ability to recover from stress or adversity
Resilience
358
During psychoanalysis, a process in which the client unconsciously attempts to impede the analysis by preventing the exposure of repressed material
Resistance
359
Treatment in which an individual is prevented from performing a compulsive behavior
Response Prevention
360
Severely diminished or limited emotional responsiveness
Restricted Affect
361
The reabsorption of a neurotransmitter after an impulse has been transmitted across the synapse
Reuptake
362
The concept that mental patients who have been involuntarily committed have a right to receive therapy for their condition
Right to Treatment
363
Repeatedly thinking about concerns or details of past events
Rumination
364
The mental framework for organizing and interpreting information
Schema
365
A condition involving the existence of both symptoms of Schizophrenia and major depressive or manic episodes
Schizoaffective Disorder
366
A personality pattern characterized by detachment from social relationships and limited emotional expression
Schizoid Personality Disorder
367
A disorder characterized by severely impaired cognitive processes, personality disintegration, mood disturbances, and social withdrawal
Schizophrenia
368
A group of disorders that range in severity and that have similar clinical features, including some degree of reality distortion
Schizophrenia Spectrum
369
Psychotic episodes with a duration of at least one month but less than six months
Schizophreniform Disorder
370
A personality pattern characterized by peculiar thoughts and behaviors and by poor interpersonal relationships
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
371
A method of inquiry that provides for the systematic collection of data, controlled observation, and the testing of hypotheses
Scientific Method
372
A class of drugs that have a calming or sedating effect
Sedatives
373
An inability to remember certain details of an event
Selective Amnesia
374
Consistent failure to speak in certain situations
Selective Mutism
375
An inherent tendency to strive toward the realization of one's full potential
Self Actualization
376
A belief in one's ability to succeed
Self Efficacy
377
Acceptance of prejudice and discrimination based on internalized negative societal beliefs or stereotypes
Self Stigma
378
Severe distress about leaving home, being alone, or being separated from a parent
Separation Anxiety Disorder
379
A neurotransmitter associated with mood, sleep, appetite, and impulsive behavior
Serotonin
380
A disruptive of any part of the normal sexual response cycle that affects sexual desire, arousal, or response
Sexual Dysfunction
381
Sexual urges, fantasies, or acts that involve being humiliated, bound, or made to suffer
Sexual Masochism Disorder
382
Sexual identity involving the gender to which a person is physically and emotionally attracted
Sexual Orientation
383
Urges, fantasies, or acts that involve inflicting physical or psychological suffering on others
Sexual Sadism Disorder
384
An experimental design in which only the participants are unaware of the purpose of the research
Single Blind Design
385
An intense fear of being scrutinized in social or performance situations
Social Anxiety Disorder
386
A negative societal belief about a group, including the view that the group is somehow different from other members of society
Social Stigma
387
Factors such as gender, sexual orientation, spirituality, religion, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and culture that can exert an effect on mental health
Sociocultural Influences
388
A broad grouping of psychological disorders that involve physical symptoms or anxiety over illness, including somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder, conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder), and factitious disorder
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
389
A condition involving a pattern of distressing thoughts regarding the seriousness of one's physical symptoms combined with excessive time and concern devoted to worrying about these symptoms
Somatic Symptom Disorder
390
A condition involving excessive anxiety or persistent concerns over pain
Somatic Symptom Disorder with Predominant Pain
391
Physical and bodily symptoms
Somatic Symptoms
392
An extreme fear of a specific object (such as snakes) or situation (such as being in an enclosed space)
Specific Phobia
393
The belief in an animating life force or energy beyond what we can perceive with our senses
Spirituality
394
The use of identical procedures in the administration of tests
Standardization
395
The comparison group on which test norms are based
Standardization Sample
396
An oversimplified, often inaccurate, image or idea about a group of people
Stereotype
397
A substance that energizes the central nervous system
Stimulant
398
The internal psychological or physiological response to a stressor
Stress
399
An external event or situation that places a physical or psychological demand on a person
Stressor
400
A sudden halting of blood flow to a portion of the brain, leading to brain damage
Stroke
401
A pattern of excessive or harmful use of any substance for mood altering purposes
Substance Abuse
402
A condition in which cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms contribute to the continued use of alcohol or drugs despite significant substance related problems
Substance Use Disorder
403
Thoughts about suicide
Suicidal Ideation
404
The intentional, direct and conscious taking of one's own life
Suicide
405
A professional who studies the manifestation, dynamics, and prevention of suicides
Suicidologist
406
The part of the nervous system that automatically performs functions such as increasing heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and raising blood pressure
Sympathetic Nervous System
407
A tiny gap that exists between the axon of the sending neuron and the dendrites of the receiving neuron
Synapse
408
Certain symptoms that tend to occur regularly in clusters
Syndrome
409
A treatment technique involving repeated exposure to a feared stimulus while a client is in a competing emotional or physiological state such as relaxation
Systematic Desensitization
410
Loss of memory for certain categories of information
Systematized Amnesia
411
The force on blood vessels when the heart contracts
Systolic Pressure
412
A form of mass hysteria prevalent during the middle ages, characterized by wild raving, jumping, dancing, or convulsing
Tarantism
413
A California supreme court decision that obligates mental health professionals to break confidentiality when their clients pose a clear and imminent danger to another person
Tarasoff Ruling
414
Innate mental, physical, and emotional traits
Temperament
415
Head pain produced by prolonged contraction of the scalp and neck muscles, resulting in constriction of the blood vessels and steady pain
Tension Headache
416
An involuntary, repetitive movement or vocalization
Tic
417
Decreases in the effects of a substance that occur after chronic use
Tolerance
418
A condition characterized by multiple motor tics and one or more vocal tics
Tourette's Disorder
419
A distinguishing quality or characteristic of a person, including a tendency to feel, perceive, behave or think in a relatively consistent manner
Trait
420
The process by which a client undergoing psychoanalysis reenacts early conflicts by applying to the analyst feelings and attitudes that the person has toward significant others
Transference
421
A person's innate psychological identification as male or female does not correspond with the person's biological sex
Transgender Identity
422
A "mini stroke" resulting from temporary blockage of arteries
Transiet Ischemic Attack
423
Intense sexual arousal obtained through cross dressing (wearing clothes appropriate to a different gender)
Transvestite Disorder
424
A therapeutic approach that helps clients identify and challenge dysfunctional cognitions about a traumatic event
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
425
A physical wound or internal injury to the brain
Traumatic Brain Injury
426
A proposed course of therapy, developed collaboratively by a therapist and client, that addresses the client's most distressing mental health symptoms
Treatment Plan
427
A depressive episode that has not improved despite an adequate trial of antidepressant medication or other traditional forms of treatment
Treatment Resistant Depression
428
A surgical method from the stone age in which part of the skull was chipped away to provide an opening through which an evil spirit could escape
Trephining
429
Recurrent and compulsive hair pulling that results in hair loss and causes significant distress
Trichotillomania
430
In classical conditioning, the unlearned response made to an unconditioned stimulus
Unconditioned Response
431
In classical conditioning, the stimulus that elicits an unconditioned response
Unconditioned Stimulus
432
The set of beliefs and practices from non western indigenous traditions that assume that special healers are blessed with powers to act as messengers between the human and spirit worlds
Universal Shamanic Tradition
433
Involuntary spasms of the outer third of the vaginal wall that prevents or interferes with sexual intercourse
Vaginismus
434
The degree to which an instrument measures what it was developed to measure
Validity
435
A condition involving decline in cognitive skills due to reduced blood flow to the brain
Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder
436
An audible tic such as coughing, grunting, throat clearing, sniffling, or making sudden, vocal outbursts
Vocal Tic
437
Urges, acts, or fantasies that involve observing an unsuspecting person disrobing or engaging in sexual activitiy
Voyeuristic Disorder
438
Brain tissue comprised of myelinated nerve pathways
White Matter
439
The adverse physical and psychological symptoms that occur after reducing or ceasing intake of a substance
Withdrawal
