question

abnormal behavior

answer

Patterns of thought, emotion, and actions that are deviant, unexpected, or "away from the standard" based on statistical, social-cultural, and/or functional standards.

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abnormal psychology

answer

The scientific study of abnormal behavior in order to describe, predict, explain, and ultimately change abnormal patterns of functioning.

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deinstitutionalization

answer

Systematic discharge of people with severe mental illness from long-term care in psychiatric hospitals so that they might be treated in community programs.

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dysfunction

answer

Thoughts, feelings, or behavior that is maladaptive or interferes with healthy daily functioning, positive growth, and fulfillment of potential.

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eccentricity

answer

An unusual pattern of behavior (idiosyncrasy, oddity) that others might find strange, but does not meet any other criteria of abnormality. Psychological disorders, by comparison, are usually based on dysfunction and distress.

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mental hygiene movement

answer

Mid-19th-century effort to improve care of the mentally disturbed by informing the public of their mistreatment.

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mental illness

answer

Term formerly used to mean psychological or mental disorder but less preferred because it implies that the causes of the disorder can be found in a medical disease process.

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moral therapy

answer

19th-century psychosocial approach to treatment that involved treating patients with moral guidance and humane respect in normal environments.

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multicultural perspective

answer

The view that each culture within a larger society has a particular set of values and beliefs, as well as special external factors, that help account for the behavior and functioning of its members.

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psychiatric social worker

answer

A mental health professional who is qualified to conduct psychotherapy upon earning a master's degree or doctorate in social work.

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psychiatrist

answer

Person who has earned an M.D. degree and has specialized in psychiatry during residency training. Trained to investigate primarily the biological nature and causes of psychiatric disorders, and to diagnose and treat them.

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psychologist, clinical

answer

A mental health professional who has earned a Ph.D. degree in psychology or a Psy.D. and whose training has included an internship in a mental hospital or clinic.

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psychopathology

answer

Scientific study of psychological and mental disorders.

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psychotherapy

answer

A diverse system of treatments in which words and the relationship between a client and therapist are used in order to help the client overcome psychological difficulties.

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epidemiological study

answer

A scientific study of the incidence and prevalence of a disorder in a given population.

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placebo effect

answer

Behavior change resulting from the person's expectation of change rather than from the experimental manipulation itself.

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prevalence

answer

Number of people displaying a disorder in the total population at any given time (compare with incidence).

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affect

answer

An experience of emotion or mood.

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behaviorism

answer

The view that psychology (1) should be an OBJECTIVE SCIENCE that (2) studies behavior, including dysfunction, without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2).

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biological model

answer

The theoretical perspective of psychological dysfunction that emphasizes biological processes as the key to human behavior.

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biopsychosocial theories

answer

Explanations that attribute the cause of abnormality to a continual interaction of genetic, biological, developmental, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, social, and societal influences.

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cognition

answer

The process of knowing; the thinking, remembering, judging, reasoning, and planning activities of the human mind.

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cognitive-behavioral paradigm

answer

The model of human behavior that people can best be understood by studying how they perceive and structure their experiences and how this influences behavior.

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defense mechanisms

answer

Common patterns of behavior -- often adaptive coping styles when they occur in moderation -- observed in response to potentially threatening situations. In psychodynamic theory, they are proposed to be unconscious processes to reduce anxiety.

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diathesis-stress model

answer

Hypothesis that both an inherited tendency (vulnerability) and specific stressful conditions are required to produce a disorder.

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distal cause

answer

In studying the causes of behavior, all causes other than physiological processes in the brain. Compare to proximal cause.

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enmeshed family pattern

answer

A family system in which members are over-involved with each other's affairs and over-concerned about each other's welfare.

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incidence

answer

The number of new cases of a disorder occurring in a population during a specific period of time (compare with prevalence).

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paradigm

answer

A set of basic assumptions (a model) that outlines the universe of scientific inquiry specifying both the concepts regarded as legitimate and the methods to be used in collecting and interpreting data.

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precipitating cause

answer

A life event or incident that triggers a disorder. See also reinforcing cause.

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proximal cause

answer

Ultimately all behaviors are made possible by electrical and chemical activity in specific neurons of the brain. This is referred to as the proximal cause of behavior. Compare with distal causes.

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psychoanalytic (psychodynamic) paradigm

answer

Comprehensive theory originally advanced by Sigmund Freud that seeks to account for the development and structure of personality, as well as the origin of abnormal behavior, based primarily on inferred conscious and unconscious mental forces.

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reciprocal gene-environment model

answer

Hypothesis that people with a genetic predisposition for a disorder may also have a genetic tendency to create environmental risk factors that promote the disorder.

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reinforcing cause

answer

In studying causes of abnormal behavior, a condition that tends to maintain maladaptive behavior that is already occurring. See also precipitating cause.

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repression

answer

In psychoanalytic theory, a process that forces unwanted material from the conscious to the unconscious.

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risk factor

answer

A variable that is correlated with a particular syndrome. Since the data are correlational we cannot say for sure that the variable is a cause of the syndrome, but we may consider the factor as a potential cause.

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supernatural model

answer

Explanation of human behavior and its dysfunction that proposes important roles for spirits, demons, grace, sin, etc.

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unconscious

answer

Part of the psychic makeup that is outside the awareness of the person. The deeply hidden mass of memories, experiences, and impulses that is viewed in Freudian theory as the source of much behavior.

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vulnerability

answer

Susceptibility or tendency to develop a disorder.

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age of onset

answer

Person's age when he or she develops or exhibits symptoms of a disorder.

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behavioral medicine

answer

Interdisciplinary approach applying behavioral science to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical problems.

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behavioral therapy

answer

A group of therapy methods based on the principles of behavioral and cognitive science as well as principles of learning as applied to clinical problems. It considers specific behaviors rather than inferred internal factors as targets for change. Also known as behavior modification.

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categorical classification

answer

A system of placing disorders in categories with the assumption that each disorder is clearly different from every other disorder (an "all-or-none" approach). Based on the model in which every diagnosis has a distinct set of characteristics and underlying cause. Compare to dimensional classification.

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clinical assessment / clinical interview

answer

A face-to-face systematic evaluation and measurement of psychological, biological, and social factors in a person presenting with a possible psychological disorder.

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clinical psychology

answer

The specialty of psychology involving research, assessment, treatment, and prevention of abnormal behavior.

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cognitive therapy

answer

Treatment approach that helps people identify and change the maladaptive assumptions and ways of thinking that help cause psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety and replacing them with more positive beliefs and attitudes.

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comorbidity

answer

The presence of two or more disorders in an individual at the same time.

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course

answer

The pattern of development and change of a disorder over time.

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diagnosis

answer

Process of determining whether a presenting problem meets the established criteria for a specific psychological disorder.

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Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)

answer

Current version of the official classification system for psychological and mental disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

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dimensional classification

answer

A system of organizing the attributes of psychological disorders as occurring on a continuum or spectrum (such as a scale of mild to severe), rather than present or absent. Can specify a cutting point and resemble a categorical system.

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episodic course

answer

Pattern of a disorder alternating between recovery and recurrence.

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etiology

answer

All the factors that contribute to the development of a disorder.

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neuropsychological testing

answer

Assessment of brain and nervous system functioning by testing an individual's cognitive, perceptual, and motor performances.

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personality tests (inventories)

answer

Self-report questionnaires that assess personal traits by asking respondents to identify descriptions that apply to them.

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presenting problem

answer

Original complaint reported by the client to the therapist. The actual treated problem may sometimes be a modification derived from the presenting problem.

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prognosis

answer

Predicted future development of a disorder over time.

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projective tests

answer

Personality tests that present ambiguous stimuli to clients on the assumption that their responses will reveal their unconscious conflicts.

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psychophysiological assessment

answer

Measurement of changes in the nervous system reflecting psychological or emotional events such as anxiety, stress, and sexual arousal.

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Rorschach test

answer

A projective test, in which a person reacts to inkblots, designed to reveal the inner personality of the person.

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structured interview

answer

A method in clinical assessment consisting of an interview in which the questions are set out in a prescribed fashion for the interviewer; assists professionals in making diagnostic decisions based on standardized criteria.

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subthreshold (subclinical) symptoms

answer

Presence of symptoms of a disorder that are clinically significant but do not meet full diagnostic criteria.

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syndrome

answer

A cluster of symptoms that usually occur together.

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systematic desensitization

answer

Behavioral therapy technique to diminish excessive fears, involving gradual exposure to the feared stimulus paired with a positive coping experience, usually relaxation.

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agoraphobia

answer

An ANXIETY DISORDER in which a person is afraid to be in public places or situations from which escape might be difficult (or embarrassing) or help unavailable if panic-like symptoms were to occur.

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anxiety

answer

The central nervous system's physiological and emotional response to a vague sense of threat or danger.

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anxiety disorders

answer

A varied group of disorders that all have anxiety as a central symptom. Includes specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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compulsions

answer

Repetitive, ritualistic, time-consuming behaviors or thoughts a person feels driven to perform to reduce anxiety.

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fear

answer

The central nervous system's physiological and emotional response consisting of an immediate alarm reaction to present danger.

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generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

answer

ANXIETY DISORDER characterized by intense, uncontrollable, unfocused, chronic, and continuous worry about numerous events and activities, accompanied by physical symptoms of tenseness, irritability, and restlessness.

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mixed episode

answer

Symptoms of both mania and depression within the same week that can occur in major depression, hypomania, or mania.

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obsessions

answer

Persistent and recurrent intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that a person experiences as disturbing and inappropriate but has difficulty suppressing and causes anxiety.

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obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

answer

An ANXIETY DISORDER involving unwanted, persistent, intrusive thoughts and impulses accompanied by repetitive actions or rituals intended to suppress them.

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panic attack

answer

Abrupt experience of intense fear or discomfort in the absence of danger accompanied by a number of physical symptoms, such as dizziness or heart palpitations.

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phobia

answer

A persistent and unreasonable fear of a particular object, activity, or situation.

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phobic avoidance

answer

Extreme keeping away from feared objects or situations displayed by people with phobias.

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social anxiety disorder

answer

A severe and persistent fear of social or performance situations in which embarrassment may occur.

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specific phobia

answer

A severe and persistent fear of a specific object or situation (such as heights, small closed places, or spiders), that markedly interferes with daily life functioning.

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acute stress disorder

answer

A disorder in which fear and related symptoms are experienced soon after a traumatic event and last less than a month. Many cases later develop posttraumatic stress disorder.

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posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

answer

A disorder that follows exposure to a severe helplessness- or fear-inducing threat. The victim reexperiences the trauma, avoids stimuli associated with it, and develops a numbing of responsiveness and an increased vigilance and arousal.

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body dysmorphic disorder

answer

A disorder marked by preoccupation with an imagined or exaggerated defect in some aspect of one's physical appearance, for example, facial blemishes, size or shape of nose or ears.

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conversion disorder

answer

A disorder in which the person reports sensory or motor function impairment (such as blindness or paralysis), but the symptoms are inconsistent with known medical diseases.

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depersonalization-derealization disorder

answer

A DISSOCIATIVE DISORDER marked by a persistent and recurring feeling of being detached from one's own mental processes or body; the loss of one's sense of their own reality. Examples: feeling like you are in a dream; sensation of floating above or beside your body and observing yourself act.

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derealization

answer

The loss of one's sense of reality of the outside world. Examples: things may seem to change size or shape; people may seem mechanical.

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dissociation

answer

The disconnection from full awareness of identity, memory, and/or consciousness of external circumstances. Occurs along a continuum from normal everyday experiences to severely dysfunctional disorders.

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dissociative amnesia

answer

Inability to recall personal information, usually of a stressful nature, that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

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dissociative disorders

answer

A group of disorders in which the primary symptoms are a disturbance in the normally integrative functions of identity, memory, and consciousness.

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dissociative fugue

answer

A DISSOCIATIVE DISORDER with amnesia in which person leaves familiar surroundings; sudden, unexpected travel away from home and inability to recall one's past, sometimes with assumption of new identity.

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dissociative identity disorder

answer

Two or more identities (host + subpersonalities) which regularly take control of the person's behavior. Formerly called multiple personality disorder.

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factitious disorder

answer

A disorder in which physical symptoms are intentionally faked, under voluntary control, typically for the purpose of assuming the role of a sick person. Compare to malingering. Called factitious disorder by proxy or Munchausen syndrome when a parent produces a physical illness in a child.

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illness anxiety disorder

answer

A SOMATOFORM DISORDER in which persons, misinterpreting rather ordinary physical sensations, are preoccupied with fears of having a serious disease. Prevously known as hypochondriasis.

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malingering

answer

Deliberate faking of a physical or psychological disorder to achieve some external gain or removal from a responsibility. Compare to factitious disorder.

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secondary gain

answer

The benefit (reinforcers) a person achieves beyond primary gain by the display of somatoform symptoms. These may include attention, sympathy, and avoidance of unwanted responsibilities.

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somatic symptom disorder

answer

A disorder in which persons become excessively distressed, concerned, and anxious about bodily symptoms that they are experiencing, and their lives are greatly and disportionately disrupted by the symptoms.

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somatoform disorders

answer

A varied group of disorders in which symptoms suggest a physical problem but have no known physiological cause; believed to be linked to psychological conflicts and unmet needs but not voluntarily acknowledged.

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subpersonalities

answer

In DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER, the additional identities along with the host identity.

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anhedonia

answer

Inability to experience pleasure, associated with some mood and schizophrenic disorders.

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attributional style

answer

The relatively consistent explanations a person forms about why personal stressors or other negative life events occur, taking the form of internal vs. external, stable vs. unstable, and global vs. specific.

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bipolar I disorder

answer

MOOD DISORDER characterized by FULL MANIC and major DEPRESSIVE episodes.

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bipolar II disorder

answer

MOOD DISORDER characterized by MILD MANIC (hypomanic) and MAJOR DEPRESSIVE episodes.

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cognitive triad

answer

Thinking errors in depressed people that are negatively focused in three areas: themselves, their immediate experiences, and the future.

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cyclothymic disorder

answer

Chronic (at least 2 years) MOOD DISORDER characterized by alternating periods of hypomanic symptoms (mild manic) and mild depressive symptoms.

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disruptive mood regulation disorder

answer

A type of UNIPOLAR DEPRESSION characterized by a combination of persistent depressive symptoms and recurrent outbursts of severe temper.

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double depression

answer

Severe mood disorder typified by major depressive episodes superimposed over a background of dysthymic disorder.

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dysthymic disorder

answer

Mood disorder involving persistently depressed mood, with low self-esteem, withdrawal, pessimism or despair, present for at least 2 years, but less disabling than major depressive disorder.

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hypomania

answer

An extremely happy or irritable mood accompanied by symptoms like increased energy and decreased need for sleep, but without the significant functional impairment associated with a manic episode.

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learned helplessness theory of depression

answer

Seligman's theory that people become anxious and depressed when they make an attribution that they have no control over the stress in their lives (whether in reality they do or not).

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major depressive episode

answer

A severe pattern of unipolar depression that is disabling and is not caused by drugs or a general medical condition.

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mania

answer

Mood disorder involving euphoric mood, frenzied activity, inflated self-esteem, grandiosity, endless energy, decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, flight of ideas, agitation, or self-destructive behavior.

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mood disorders

answer

A varied group of disorders that include unipolar depression and bipolar disorders.

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premenstrual dysphoric disorder

answer

A diagnosis given to women who repeatedly experience clinically significant depressive symptoms during the week before menstruation.

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psychotic depressive episode

answer

Condition in which psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations accompany depressive episodes.

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rapid cycling

answer

Temporal course of a BIPOLAR DISORDER when transitions between mania and depression are frequent, occurring four or more times in one year.

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schema

answer

An underlying mental structure for organizing information about the world which is activated when the person encounters similar situations. Plural: schemata

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seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

answer

MOOD DISORDER involving a cycling of depressive episodes corresponding to the seasons of the year, typically with depression occurring during the winter.

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specifiers

answer

Characteristics of a disorder that provide further detail and may help predict the course and prognosis for the disorder.

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suicidal ideation

answer

Serious thoughts about committing suicide.

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unipolar depression

answer

Depression without a history of mania.

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exposure and response (ritual) prevention (ERP)

answer

The most widely used and accepted treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, in which the affected individual is prevented from engaging in compulsive ritual activity and instead faces the anxiety provoked by the stimulus, leading eventually to extinction of the conditioned response (anxiety).

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anorexia nervosa

answer

A disorder marked by the pursuit of extreme thinness and by an extreme loss of weight.

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binge-eating disorder

answer

A disorder marked by consumption of large amounts of food in a short period of time, uncontrollable and distressing to the individual but not including extreme compensatory behaviors.

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bulimia nervosa

answer

A disorder marked by frequent episodes of uncontrolled excessive (binge) eating followed by forced vomiting or other extreme compensatory behaviors.

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compensatory behaviors

answer

In eating disorders, those behaviors intended to avoid gaining weight from ingesting food. Examples are purging, forced vomiting, use of laxatives, or excessive exercising.

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addiction

answer

Persistent, compulsive dependence on a substance or behavior.

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alcohol use disorder

answer

A pattern of behavior in which a person repeatedly abuses or depends on alcohol.

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intoxication

answer

A temporary drug-induced state in which people display symptoms such as impaired judgment, mood changes, irritability, slurred speech, and loss of coordination.

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pleasure pathway (reward center)

answer

A brain network extending from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens and then to the frontal cortex. Certain behaviors activate dopamine along this pathway resulting in pleasure and the activity is therefore rewarded. Excessive activation in the reward center plays a role in addiction. Dysfunction of dopamine receptors may play a role in depression.

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psychoactive substances

answer

Substances, such as certain drugs, that alter mood or behavior.

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relapse prevention

answer

Extending therapeutic progress by teaching the client how to cope with future troubling situations.

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self-medication

answer

Process by which some individuals may abuse substances in attempting to use them to relieve other problems such as anxiety, pain, or sleeplessness.

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substance abuse

answer

Maladaptive pattern of psychoactive substance use characterized by the need for increased amounts to achieve the desired effect, negative physical effects when the substance is withdrawn, unsuccessful efforts to control its use, and substantial effort expended to seek it or recover from its effects.

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substance use disorder

answer

Pattern of maladaptive behaviors and reactions brought about by repeated use of a substance leading to significant distress or impairment in social and occupational roles, measured on a continuum from mild to severe. Combines the previous categories of substance abuse and substance dependence.

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tolerance (substance)

answer

Need for increased amounts of a substance to achieve the desired effect, and a diminished effect with continued use of the same amount.

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withdrawal (substance)

answer

A symptom of substance use disorder involving severely negative physiological reaction to removal or reduction in their use of the drug.

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exhibitionistic disorder

answer

A PARAPHILIC DISORDER in which persons have repeated sexually arousing urges or fantasies about exposing their genitals to others and may act upon these urges.

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female orgasmic disorder

answer

A dysfunction in which a woman persistently fails to reach orgasm, experiences orgasms of very low intensity, or has very delayed orgasms.

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female sexual interest / arousal disorder

answer

A female dysfunction marked by a persistent reduction or lack of interest in sex and low sexual activity.

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fetishistic disorder

answer

A PARAPHILIC DISORDER involving long-term, recurring, intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors that involve the use of a nonliving object, often to the exclusion of all other stimuli.

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frotteuristic disorder

answer

A PARAPHILIC DISORDER consisting of repeated and intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors that involve touching and rubbing against a non-consenting person.

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gender dysphoria

answer

Persistent unease and unhappiness with one's given gender.

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gender identity disorder

answer

A disturbance in one's identity as a male or female. The primary goal is not sexual arousal but rather strong wishes to be a member of the opposite sex.

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male erectile disorder

answer

Recurring inability in some men to attain or maintain adequate penile erection until completion of sexual activity.

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male hypoactive sexual desire disorder

answer

A male dysfunction marked by a persistent reduction or lack of interest in sex and hence a low level of sexual activity.

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paraphilias

answer

Patterns in which individuals have recurrent and intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors involving nonhuman objects, children, nonconsenting adults, or experiences of suffering or humiliation.

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paraphilic disorder

answer

A disorder in which an individual's paraphilia causes great distress, interferes with social or occupational activities, or places the individual or others at risk of harm.

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pedophilic disorder

answer

A PARAPHILIC DISORDER in which a person has repeated and intense sexual urges or fantasies about watching, touching, or engaging in sexual acts with prepubescent children and may carry out these urges or fantasies.

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sexual aversion disorder

answer

Extreme and persistent dislike of sexual contact; fear or disgust at the thought of sex or similar activities.

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sexual dysfunction

answer

A disorder marked by a persistent inability to function normally in some area of the human sexual response cycle.

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sexual masochism disorder

answer

A PARAPHILIC DISORDER characterized by repeated and intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors that involve being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer.

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sexual sadism disorder

answer

A PARAPHILIC DISORDER characterized by repeated and intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors that involve inflicting suffering on others.

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spectator role

answer

A state of mind that some people experience during sex in which they focus on their sexual performance to such an extent that their performance and their enjoyment is reduced.

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transvestic disorder

answer

A PARAPHILIC DISORDER consisting of repeated and intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors that involve dressing in clothes of the opposite sex.

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voyeuristic disorder

answer

A PARAPHILIC DISORDER in which a person has repeated and intense sexual desires to observe unsuspecting people in secret as they undress or engage in sexual activities and may act upon these desires .

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alogia

answer

A decrease in speech or speech content -- a disturbance often seen in people with schizophrenia. Also known as poverty of speech.

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auditory hallucination

answer

Disturbance in perception in which a person hears sounds or voices that are not real or actually present.

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avolition

answer

A symptom of schizophrenia marked by apathy, and an inability to start or complete a course of action.

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brief psychotic disorder

answer

Psychotic symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech and behavior, that appear suddenly after a very stressful event and last anywhere from a few hours to 1 month.

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catatonia

answer

A pattern of extreme psychomotor symptoms found in some forms of schizophrenia which may include rigidity, excited agitation, or posturing.

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clang

answer

A rhyme used by some persons with schizophrenia as a guide to forming thoughts and statements.

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delusion

answer

Psychotic symptom involving disorder of thought content and presence of strong beliefs that are misrepresentations of reality.

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delusion of grandeur

answer

A person's unfounded belief that he or she is a great inventor, historical figure, or other specially empowered person.

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delusion of persecution

answer

A person's unfounded belief that one is being plotted or discriminated against, or deliberately victimized.

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delusion of reference

answer

A person's unfounded belief that the actions, thoughts, laughter, and meaningless activities of others are directed toward or refer to him or her.

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delusional disorder

answer

Psychotic disorder featuring a persistent belief contrary to reality (non-bizarre delusion) but no other symptoms of schizophrenia.

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disorganized speech

answer

Style of talking often seen in people with schizophrenia, involving INCOHERENCE and a lack of typical logic patterns.

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flat affect

answer

Apparently emotionless demeanor (including toneless speech and vacant gaze) when a reaction would be expected. See also: inappropriate affect.

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hallucination

answer

Psychotic symptom of perceptual disturbance in which things are seen or heard or otherwise sensed although they are not real or actually present.

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inappropriate affect

answer

Emotional displays that do not match the situation. See flat affect.

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incoherence

answer

In SCHIZOPHRENIA, an aspect of disorganized thinking wherein verbal expression is marked by disconnectedness, fragmented thoughts, and jumbled phrases.

question

loose associations

answer

Deficits in logical continuity of speech, with rapid shifts from one topic of conversation to another. A characteristic of SCHIZOPHRENIA also called derailment.

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negative symptoms

answer

Behavioral DEFICITS or less outgoing symptoms, such as flat affect and poverty of speech, displayed by some people with schizophrenia.

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neologism

answer

An example of disorganized speech in schizophrenia referring to a word made up by the speaker, usually meaningless to a listener.

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paranoia

answer

A person's irrational beliefs that he or she is especially important (delusions of grandeur) or that other people are seeking to do him or her harm.

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positive symptoms

answer

Behavioral EXCESSES or overt symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, displayed by some people with schizophrenia.

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psychosis

answer

Group of severe psychological disorders, including SCHIZOPHRENIA, featuring DELUSIONS and HALLUCINATIONS. The affected person is said to be "out of touch with reality."

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schizoaffective disorder

answer

Psychotic disorder featuring symptoms of both schizophrenia and major mood disorder.

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schizophrenia

answer

Severe PSYCHOTIC DISORDER that may involve characteristic disturbances in thinking (delusions), perception (hallucinations), speech, emotions, and behavior.

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schizophreniform disorder

answer

Psychotic disorder involving the symptoms of schizophrenia but lasting less than 6 months.

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expressed emotion (EE)

answer

The hostility, criticism, disapproval, and over-involvement demonstrated by some families toward a family member with a psychological disorder; this can often contribute to the person's relapse.

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milieu therapy

answer

Humanistic approach to institutional treatment based on the principle that patients recover best in a climate that builds self-respect, individual responsibility, and meaningful activity.

question

neuroleptic drugs

answer

A type of antipsychotic medications, dopamine antagonists, that diminish delusions, hallucinations, and aggressive behavior in psychotic patients but that may also cause serious side effects similar to the symptoms of neurological disorders.

question

Parkinson's disease

answer

Degenerative brain disorder principally affecting motor performance (e.g., tremors, stooped posture) associated with reduction in dopamine.

question

psychoeducation

answer

The component of treatment that helps people learn about symptoms, expected time course, triggers for symptoms, and treatment strategies.

question

antisocial personality disorder

answer

A PERSONALITY DISORDER marked by a general pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others. Deceitful, unremorseful, manipulative, lacks anxiety and guilt.

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avoidant personality disorder

answer

A PERSONALITY DISORDER characterized by consistent discomfort and restraint in social situations, overwhelming feelings of inadequacy, and extremely sensitive to negative evaluation.

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borderline personality disorder

answer

A PERSONALITY DISORDER characterized by a pervasive pattern of erratic moods, unstable self-image, instability in interpersonal relationships, and by impulsive behavior, including self-mutilation.

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dependent personality disorder

answer

A PERSONALITY DISORDER characterized by a person's pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, a condition that leads to submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation.

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histrionic personality disorder

answer

A PERSONALITY DISORDER involving a pervasive pattern of vain, dramatic, extravagant, attention-seeking behavior. Seductive without taking responsibility; needs immediate gratification and constant reassurance.

question

narcissistic personality disorder

answer

A PERSONALITY DISORDER involving a pervasive pattern of fantasies of brilliance or beauty, belief of being entitled to special privileges. Arrogant, and expect to be admired and recognized as superior while envying others who are successful.

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obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

answer

A PERSONALITY DISORDER featuring a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and interpersonal control at the expense of flexibility and efficiency.

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paranoid personality disorder

answer

A PERSONALITY DISORDER involving pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent.

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personality disorders

answer

Enduring maladaptive traits, inflexible and pervasive across a broad range of personal and social situations that cause significant social impairment. Subjective distress may or may not be present.

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personality trait

answer

Enduring tendency to behave in particular predisposed ways across situations.

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psychopath

answer

Non-DSM category similar to antisocial personality disorder but with less emphasis on overt behavior; indicators include superficial charm and lack of remorse.

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schizoid personality disorder

answer

A PERSONALITY DISORDER featuring a pervasive pattern of Indifference to social contact. Socially isolated; indifferent to praise or criticism; limited range of emotions; do not experience much pleasure.

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schizotypal personality disorder

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A PERSONALITY DISORDER involving a pervasive pattern of cognitive distortions, odd beliefs about the world, and peculiarities of appearance and behavior that are disconcerting to others. Emotionally detached and isolated, but desire social contact.

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Asperger's disorder

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One of the patterns found in AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, in which individuals display profound social impairment yet maintain a relatively high level of cognitive functioning and language skills.

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attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

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A disorder marked by inability to focus attention, overactive or impulsive behavior, or both.

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autism spectrum disorder

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A DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER marked by extreme unresponsiveness to others, severe communication deficits, and highly repetitive and rigid behaviors, interests and activities.

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communication disorders

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Disorders characterized by marked impairment in language and/or speech.

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conduct disorder

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A childhood disorder in which the child repeatedly violates the basic rights of others and displays aggression, characterized by symptoms such as physical cruelty to people or animals, theft, vandalism, lying, running away from home, and early drug use.

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Down syndrome

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A form of intellectual developmental disorder caused by a chromosomal abnormality (chromosome 21).

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dyslexia

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A type of specific learning disorder involving marked impairment in the ability to recognize words and to comprehend what they read.

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echolalia

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A symptom of autism or schizophrenia in which a person responds to statements by repeating the other person's words.

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intellectual developmental disorder

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Significantly below average intellectual functioning (IQ<70) paired with deficits in adaptive functioning such as self-care or occupational activities, appearing prior to age 18. Previously called metal retardation

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oppositional defiant disorder

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A childhood disorder in which children are repeatedly argumentative and defiant, angry and irritable, and, in some cases, vindictive, but lacking the extremes of CONDUCT DISORDER.

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separation anxiety disorder

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Excessive enduring anxiety in some children that harm will come to them or their parents while they are apart.

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delirium

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Rapid-onset reduced clarity of consciousness and cognition, with confusion, disorientation, and deficits in memory and language.

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dementia

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Gradual-onset deterioration of brain functioning, involving memory loss, inability to recognize objects or faces, and problems in planning and abstract reasoning.

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dementia of the Alzheimer's type

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Gradual onset of cognitive deficits caused by Alzheimer's disease, principally identified by person's inability to recall newly or previously learned material. The most common form of dementia.

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vascular dementia

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Progressive brain disorder involving loss of cognitive functioning, caused by blockage of blood flow to the brain that appears concurrently with other neurological signs and symptoms.

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American Law Institute (ALI) test

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A legal test for insanity that holds people to be insane at the time of committing a crime, if because of a mental disorder, they did not know right from wrong or could not resist an uncontrollable impulse to act. Compare M'NAGUTEN RULE and IRRESISTIBLE IMPULSE.

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civil commitment

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Legal proceedings that determine whether a person is mentally disordered and may be hospitalized, even involuntarily.

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competency

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Ability of legal defendants to participate in their own defense and understand the charges and the roles of the trial participants.

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criminal commitment

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Legal procedure by which a person who is found not guilty of a crime by reason of insanity is confined in a psychiatric hospital.

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duty to protect

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The principle that therapists must break confidentiality and notify the potential victim whom a client has specifically threatened.

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expert witness

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Person who because of special training and credentials is allowed to offer opinion testimony in legal trials.

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Forensic psychology

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The specialty of psychology concerned with connections between psychological practice and the judicial system.

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Guilty But Mentally Ill (GBMI)

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An alternative to the verdict Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity which allows for both punishment and treatment.

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informed consent

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Ethical requirement whereby research subjects agree to participate in a research study only after they receive full disclosure about the nature of the study and their own role in it.

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insanity

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LEGAL rather than psychological or medical concept which denotes a degree of abnormal condition which removes the individual's legal responsibility for their criminal actions. The criteria have changed over time and can vary from state to state.

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irresistible impulse

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A term, originated in an 1834 Ohio court ruling, concerning criminal responsibility that determined that an insanity defense can be established by proving that the accused had an uncontrollable urge to perform the act. Sometimes referred to as the "fit of passion" test. Not widely accepted.

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least restrictive alternative

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The legal principle according to which a hospitalized patient must be treated in a setting that imposes as few restrictions as possible on his or her freedom.

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M'Naghten Rule

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A widely used legal test for insanity based upon an 1843 British court decision that holds a defendant to be insane at the time of committing a crime if the person did not know what he or she was doing or did not know right from wrong.

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privileged communication

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The communication between parties in a confidential relationship that is protected by statute, which a spouse, doctor, lawyer, pastor, psychologist, or psychiatrist thus cannot be forced to disclose, except under special circumstances.

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