Agoraphobia An anxiety disorder marked by fear of being in situations in which escape may be difficult or impossible. (See page 634) Antisocial personality disorder (APD) A personality disorder marked by a lack of empathy and remorse. (See page 660) Assessment In psychology, examination of a person's mental state to diagnose possible psychological disorders. (See page 623)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) A disorder characterized by restlessness, inattentiveness, and impulsivity. (See page 667) Autistic disorder A developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, by impaired communication, and by restricted interests. (See page 664) Bipolar disorder A mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania. (See page 640)
Borderline personality disorder A personality disorder characterized by disturbances in identity, in affect, and in impulse control. (See page 658) Cognitive-behavioral appraoch A diagnostic model that views psychopathology as the result of learned, maladaptive thoughts and beliefs. (See page 627) Delusions False beliefs based on incorrect inferences about reality. (See page 651)
Diathesis-stress model A diagnostic model that proposes that a disorder may develop when an underlying vulnerability is coupled with a precipitating event. (See page 626) Disorganized behavior Acting in strange or unusual ways, including strange movement of limbs, bizarre speech, and inappropriate selfcare, such as failing to dress properly or bathe. (See page 652) Dissociative disorders Mental disorders that involve disruptions of identity, of memory, or of conscious awareness. (See page 646)
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) The occurrence of two or more distinct identities in the same individual. (See page 647) Dysthymia A form of depression that is not severe enough to be diagnosed as major depression. (See page 639) Etiology Factors that contribute to the development of a disorder. (See page 621)
Family systems model A diagnostic model that considers symptoms within an individual as indicating problems within the family. (See page 627) Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) A diffuse state of constant anxiety not associated with any specific object or event. (See page 633) Hallucinations False sensory perceptions that are experienced without an external source. (See page 651)
Learned helplessness A cognitive model of depression in which people feel unable to control events in their lives. (See page 643) Loosening of associations A speech pattern among some people with schizophrenia in which their thoughts are disorganized or meaningless. (See page 652) Major depression A disorder characterized by severe negative moods or a lack of interest in normally pleasurable activities. (See page 639)
Multiaxial system The system used in the DSM; it calls for assessment along five axes that describe important mental health factors. (See page 621) Negative symptoms Symptoms of schizophrenia that are marked by deficits in functioning, such as apathy, lack of emotion, and slowed speech and movement. (See page 650) Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) An anxiety disorder characterized by frequent intrusive thoughts and compulsive actions. (See page 634)
Panic disorder An anxiety disorder that consists of sudden, overwhelming attacks of terror. (See page 634) Positive symptoms Symptoms of schizophrenia that are marked by excesses in functioning, such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech or behavior. (See page 650) Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) A mental disorder that involves frequent nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and flashbacks related to an earlier trauma. (See page 633)
Psychopathology Sickness or disorder of the mind. (See page 618) Schizophrenia A psychological disorder characterized by a split between thought and emotion; it involves alterations in thoughts, in perceptions, or in consciousness. (See page 650) Sociocultural model A diagnostic model that views psychopathology as the result of the interaction between individuals and their cultures. (See page 627)
Warning: not all of the key ideas are on this list of key terms