Ab+Psych+Glossary

 *AbNoRmAl PsYcH GlOsSaRy* Abnormal Psychology Glossary Definitions from Psychology 7e, David Myers
 * Psychological Disorders- a harmful dysfunction in which behavior is judged atypical, disturbing, maladaptive, and unjustifiable.
 * Medical Model- the concept that diseases have physical causes that can be diagnosed, treated, and in most cases, cured. When applied to psychological disorders, the medical model assumes that these “mental” illnesses can be diagnosed based on their symptoms and cured through therapy, which may include treatment in a psychiatric hospital.
 * Bio- psycho- social perspective- a contemporary perspective which assumes that biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors combine and interact to produce psychological disorders.
 * DSM-IV- the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic (Fourth Edition), a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders. Presently distributed in an updated “text revision” (DSM-IV-TR)
 * Neurotic disorder- a psychological disorder that is usually distressing but that allows one to think rationally and function in socially.
 * Psychotic disorder- a psychological disorder in which a person loses contact with reality, experiencing irrational ideas and distorted perceptions.
 * Anxiety disorders- psychological disorders characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety.
 * Generalized anxiety disorder- an anxiety disorder in which a person is continually tense, apprehensive, and in state of autonomic nervous system arousal.
 * Panic disorder- an anxiety disorder marked by a minutes long episode of intense dread in which a person experiences terror and accompanying chest pain, choking, or other frightening sensations.
 * Phobia- an anxiety disorder marked by a persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of a specific object or situation.
 * Obsessive-compulsive disorder- an anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts and or actions.
 * Mood disorders- psychological disorders characterized by emotional extremes.
 * Major depressive disorder- a mood disorder in which a person for no apparent reason experiences two or more weeks of depressed moods, feelings of worthlessness and diminished interest or pleasure in most activities.
 * Manic episode- a mood disorder marked by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state.
 * Bipolar disorder- a mood disorder in which the person alternates between the hopelessness and lethargy of depression and the overexcited state of mania.
 * Schizophrenia- a group of severe disorders characterized by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions and inappropriate emotions and actions.
 * Delusions- false beliefs, often of persecution or gradeur that may accompany psychotic disorders.
 * Personality disorders- psychological disorders characterized by inflexible and enduring behavior patterns that impair social functioning.
 * Antisocial personality disorder- a personality disorder in which the person (usually a man) exhibits a lack of conscience for wrongdoing, even toward friends and family members. May be aggressive and ruthless or a clever con artist.