AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

Abnormal Psychology (Unit 12)

Terms : Hide Images
324507749psychological disorderdeviant, distressful, and dysfunctional patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
324507750attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)a psychological disorder marked by the appearance by age 7 of one or more of three key symptoms: extreme inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity
324507751medical modelthe 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 on the basis of their symptoms and cured through therapy, which may include treatment in a psychiatric hospital.
324507752DSM-IV-TRthe American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, updated as a 2000 "text revision"; a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders.
324507753anxiety disorderPsychological disorders characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety.
324507754generalized anxiety disorderan anxiety disorder in which a person is continually tense, apprehensive, and in a state of autonomic nervous system arousal.
324507755panic disorderan anxiety disorder marked by unpredictable minutes-long episodes of intense dread in which a person experiences terror and accompanying chest pain, choking, or other frightening sensations.
324507756phobiaan anxiety disorder marked by a persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of a specific object, activity, or situation.
324507757obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)an anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or actions (compulsions).
324507758post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)an anxiety disorder characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and/or insomnia that lingers for four weeks or more after a traumatic experience.
324507759post-traumatic growthpositive psychological changes as a result of struggling with extremely challenging circumstances and life crises.
324507760somatoform disorderpsychological disorder in which the symptoms take a somatic (bodily) form without apparent physical cause.
324507761conversion disordera rare somatoform disorder in which a person experiences very specific genuine physical symptoms for which no physiological basis can be found.
324507762hypochondriasisa somatoform disorder in which a person interprets normal physical sensations as symptoms of a disease.
324507763dissociative disorderdisorders in which conscious awareness becomes separated (dissociated) from previous memories, thoughts, and feelings.
324507764mood disorderspsychological disorders characterized by emotional extremes.
324507765major depressive disordera mood disorder in which a person experiences, in the absence of drugs or a medical condition, two or more weeks of significantly depressed moods, feelings of worthlessness, and dimished interest or pleasure in more activities.
324507766maniaa mood disorder marked by a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state.
324507767bipolar disordera mood disorder in which the person alternates between the hopelessness and lethargy of depression and overexcited state of mania.
324507768schizophreniaa group of severe disorders characterized by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and actions.
324507769delusionsfalse beliefs, often or persecution or grandeur, that may accompany psychotic disorders.
324507770personality disorderspsychological disorders characterized by inflexible and enduring behavior patterns that impair social functioning.
324507771antisocial personality disordera 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.

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!