B16-Autistic, Attention-Deficit, Stress, and Substance Abuse Disorders

Question 1

autistic disorder

Answer 1

A chronic disorder whose symptoms include failure to develop normal social relations with other people, impaired development of communicative ability, lack of imaginative ability, and repetitive, stereotyped movements.

Question 2

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Answer 2

A disorder characterized by uninhibited responses, lack of sustained attention, and hyperactivity; first shows itself in childhood.

Question 3

stress

Answer 3

A general, imprecise term that can refer either to a stress response or to a stressor (stressful situation).

Question 4

fight-or-flight response

Answer 4

A species-typical response preparatory to fighting or fleeing; thought to be responsible for some of the deleterious effects of stressful situations on health.

Question 5

glucocorticoid

Answer 5

One of a group of hormones of the adrenal cortex that are important in protein and carbohydrate metabolism, secreted especially in times of stress.

Question 6

corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

Answer 6

A hypothalamic hormone that stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone).

Question 7

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Answer 7

A hormone released by the anterior pituitary gland in response to CRH; stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce glucocorticoids.

Question 8

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Answer 8

A psychological disorder caused by exposure to a situation of extreme danger and stress; symptoms include recurrent dreams or recollections; can interfere with social activities and cause a feeling of hopelessness.

Question 9

antigen

Answer 9

A protein present on a microorganism that permits the immune system to recognize the microorganism as an invader.

Question 10

antibody

Answer 10

A protein produced by a cell of the immune system that recognizes antigens present on invading microorganisms.

Question 11

negative reinforcement

Answer 11

The removal or reduction of an aversive stimulus that is contingent on a particular response, with an attendant increase in the frequency of that response.

Question 12

tolerance

Answer 12

The fact that increasingly large doses of drugs must be taken to achieve a particular effect; caused by compensatory mechanisms that oppose the effect of the drug.

Question 13

withdrawal symptoms

Answer 13

The appearance of symptoms opposite to those produced by a drug when the drug is suddenly no longer taken; caused by the presence of compensatory mechanisms.