Glossary
Agoraphobia
An anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of situations or places where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, often leading to avoidance of public spaces.
Example:
After experiencing panic attacks in crowded places, Emily developed agoraphobia, making her afraid to leave her house or be in open spaces.
Anxiety Disorders
A category of mental disorders characterized by excessive and persistent fear, worry, and anxiety, often accompanied by physical symptoms.
Example:
Someone who constantly feels on edge, has difficulty concentrating, and experiences frequent panic attacks may be suffering from an Anxiety Disorder.
Bipolar Disorder (BP)
A mood disorder characterized by significant mood swings, alternating between periods of depression and episodes of mania or hypomania.
Example:
One week, Alex was full of boundless energy, making grand plans and barely sleeping, and the next, he was deeply withdrawn and unable to leave his room, illustrating the shifts in Bipolar Disorder.
Compulsions
Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rigid rules.
Example:
To alleviate his anxiety about germs, David engaged in compulsions like washing his hands exactly ten times every time he touched a doorknob.
Dysthymic Disorder
A milder, but chronic, form of depression characterized by persistent low mood and other depressive symptoms lasting for at least two years.
Example:
Even though she could still function, Emily had felt a low-grade sadness and lack of energy for as long as she could remember, which was eventually diagnosed as Dysthymic Disorder.
Explanatory Style
A person's habitual way of explaining the causes of bad events, which can significantly impact their vulnerability to depression.
Example:
Someone with a pessimistic explanatory style might attribute a failed test to their own lack of intelligence, rather than to a difficult exam or insufficient study time.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
An anxiety disorder characterized by excessive, uncontrollable, and often irrational worry about everyday events and activities for at least six months.
Example:
Even when things were going well, Lisa found herself constantly worrying about her job, her family, and her finances, a pervasive anxiety typical of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Genetic Predisposition
An increased likelihood of developing a particular disease or condition due to inherited genetic factors from one's parents.
Example:
Because both of her parents had a history of depression, Maria had a genetic predisposition that increased her risk of developing the disorder herself.
Global (Explanatory Style)
A component of explanatory style where an individual believes that the cause of a negative event affects all aspects of their life, not just the specific situation.
Example:
If a relationship ends, someone with a global explanatory style might conclude, 'I'm unlovable, and I'll never succeed in any relationship or aspect of my life.'
Internal (Explanatory Style)
A component of explanatory style where an individual attributes the cause of a negative event to their own personal failings or characteristics.
Example:
When a project fails, a person with an internal explanatory style might blame themselves entirely, thinking, 'It's all my fault; I'm just not capable.'
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
A severe mood disorder characterized by a persistently depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities for at least two weeks.
Example:
After a significant loss, John found himself unable to get out of bed, lost his appetite, and felt profound sadness for months, indicating symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder.
Mania
A state of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, often accompanied by increased energy, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, and impulsive behavior.
Example:
During a mania episode, David felt invincible, spent all his savings on extravagant purchases, and stayed up for days working on multiple projects simultaneously.
Mood Disorders
Psychological disorders characterized by significant disruptions in a person's emotional state, leading to prolonged periods of sadness, euphoria, or both.
Example:
Someone experiencing persistent feelings of hopelessness and a lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed might be diagnosed with a Mood Disorder.
Neurotransmitter Imbalances
Disruptions in the levels or functioning of chemical messengers in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which are linked to mood and anxiety disorders.
Example:
Many antidepressant medications work by correcting neurotransmitter imbalances, specifically by increasing the availability of serotonin in the brain.
Observational Learning
Learning that occurs through observing the behavior of others and the consequences of that behavior.
Example:
A child who sees their parent react with extreme fear to a spider might develop a similar phobia through observational learning.
Obsessions
Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted, causing significant anxiety or distress.
Example:
Despite knowing it was irrational, Sarah was plagued by obsessions about leaving the stove on, even after checking it multiple times.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
An anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive, ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety.
Example:
A person with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder might have a recurring thought that their hands are contaminated (obsession) and feel compelled to wash them excessively (compulsion).
Panic Attack
A sudden, intense episode of fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, accompanied by physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, and a racing heart.
Example:
During his first panic attack, Mark felt like he couldn't breathe and was having a heart attack, even though there was no real danger present.
Panic Disorder
An anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, along with persistent worry about having another attack.
Example:
Maria developed Panic Disorder after experiencing several sudden episodes of intense fear, rapid heart rate, and shortness of breath, leading her to constantly fear another attack.
Phobias
Anxiety disorders characterized by a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity, leading to avoidance behavior.
Example:
Someone with a severe fear of spiders, causing them to avoid basements and outdoor activities, is experiencing a specific phobia.
Reinforcement
In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens or increases the frequency of a preceding response.
Example:
When a person with a phobia avoids the feared object and feels a reduction in anxiety, this avoidance behavior is negatively reinforced, making them more likely to avoid it again.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
A type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, typically occurring during the fall and winter months due to reduced exposure to natural light.
Example:
During the dark winter months, Sarah often feels lethargic and sad, a pattern that lifts with the arrival of spring, suggesting she might have Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Self-Injury (NSSI)
The act of intentionally harming one's own body without suicidal intent, often used as a coping mechanism for intense emotional pain or past trauma.
Example:
A teenager who cuts their arm to cope with overwhelming stress is engaging in self-injury, not necessarily attempting suicide, but seeking an outlet for emotional distress.
Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
An anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear of social situations where one might be scrutinized, judged, or embarrassed by others.
Example:
Mark avoids parties and public speaking engagements because he experiences overwhelming fear of being negatively evaluated by others, a hallmark of Social Anxiety Disorder.
Stable (Explanatory Style)
A component of explanatory style where an individual believes that the cause of a negative event is permanent and will not change over time.
Example:
After failing an exam, a student with a stable explanatory style might think, 'I'm just not smart enough, and I'll always be bad at this subject.'
Stimulus Generalization
A behavioral phenomenon where a conditioned response to one stimulus also occurs in response to similar stimuli.
Example:
After being bitten by a small dog, a child might develop a fear of all dogs, regardless of size or breed, demonstrating stimulus generalization.
Suicide
The act of intentionally causing one's own death, often associated with severe mental health conditions like depression or bipolar disorder.
Example:
Recognizing the warning signs of suicide in a friend, such as giving away possessions and expressing hopelessness, is crucial for seeking immediate help.