Mental Health Flashcards
compensation
an effort to overcome, or make up for, real or imagined inadequacies
denial
a refusal to admit or acknowledge the reality of something, thus avoiding emotional conflict or anxiety
displacement
the process of transferring a feeling or emotion from the original idea or object to a substitute idea or object.
introjection
an ego defense mechanism whereby an individual unconsciously identifies with another person or with some object. The individual assumes the supposed feelings and/or characteristics of the other personality or object.
projection
the act of transferring one’s own unacceptable thoughts or feeling to someone else.
rationalization
attempting to make excuses or invent logical reasons to justify unacceptable feelings or behaviors
regression
a response to stress in which the individual reverts to an earlier level of development and the comfort measures associated with that level of functioning.
repression
an involuntary blocking of unpleasant feelings and experiences from one’s conscious mind.
sublimation
rechanneling or redirecting one’s unacceptable impulses into constructive activities
suppression
the voluntary blocking of unpleasant feelings and experiences from one’s mind.
affect
observable evidence of a person’s feelings or emotions.
amnesia
loss of memory caused by severe emotional trauma, brain injury, substance abuse, or reaction to medications or toxins.
amphetamines
a group of nervous system stimulants that produce alertness and a feeling of well-being (euphoria)
anorexia
lack of or loss of appetite, resulting in the inability to eat.
anorexia nervosa
a disorder (seen primarily in adolescent girls) characterized by an emotional disturbance concerning body image; prolonged refusal to eat followed by extreme weight loss; amenorrhea; and a lingering, abnormal fear of becoming obese.
anxiety
a state of mind in which the individual feels increased tension, apprehension, a painfully increased sense of helplessness, a feeling of uncertainty, fear, jitteriness, and worry. Observable signs include (but are not limited to) restlessness, poor eye contact, glancing about, facial tension, dilated pupils, increased perspiration and constant focus on self.
anxiety disorders
disorders characterized by chronic worry
apathy
absence or suppression of observable emotion, feeling, concern, or passion
autism
a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by the individual being extremely withdrawn and absorbed with fantasy. The individual suffers from impaired communication/social interaction skills, and activities and interests are very limited. Was first classified as a type of schizophrenia
behavior therapy
a form of psychotherapy that seeks to modify observable maladjusted patterns of behavior by substituting new responses to given stimuli; also called behavior modification.
bulimia nervosa
an uncontrolled craving for food, often resulting in eating binges, followed by vomiting to eliminate the food from the stomach. The individual may then feel depressed, go through a period of self-deprivation followed by another eating binge, and the cycle continues.
cannabis
a mind-altering drug derived from the flowering top of hemp plants; also called marijuana. This drug is classified as a controlled substance, Schedule I drug.
cataplexy
a sudden loss of muscle tone in which the individual’s head may drop, the jaw may sag, the knees become weakened, and the individual may collapse or fall to the ground; may accompany a narcolepsy attack (sudden, uncontrollable attack of sleep).
compensation
an effort to overcome, or make up for, real or imagine inadequacies
compulsions
irresistible, repetitive, irrational impulses to perform an act. These behavior patterns are intended to reduce anxiety, not provide pleasure or gratifications.
conversion disorder
a disorder in which the individual represses anxiety experienced by emotional conflicts by converting the anxious feelings into physical symptoms that have no organic basis but are perceived to be real by the individual. The individual may experience symptoms such as paralysis, pain, loss of sensation, or some other form of dysfunction of the nervous system; also called conversion hysteria
cyclothymic disorder
a chronic (of long duration) mood disorder characterized by numerous periods of mood swings from depression to happiness. The period of mood disturbance is at least two years.
defense mechanism
an unconscious, intrapsychic (within one’s mind) reaction that offers protection to the self from a stressful situation
delirium
a state of frenzied excitement or wild enthusiasm
delirium tremens (DTs)
an acute and sometimes fatal psychotic reaction caused by cessation of excessive intake of alcoholic beverages over a long period of time.
delusion
a persistent, abnormal belief or perception held firmly by a person despite evidence to the contrary. Two forms of delusions are delusions of persecution (in which the person thinks others are following him, spying on him, or trying to torment him) and delusions of grandeur, in which the person has a false sense of possessing wealth or power.
dementia
a progressive, organic mental disorder characterized by chronic personality disintegration, confusion, disorientation, stupor, deterioration of intellectual capacity and function, and impairment of control of memory, judgment, and impulses.
denial
a refusal to admit or acknowledge the reality of something, thus avoiding emotional conflict or anxiety.
depression
a mood disturbance characterized by exaggerated feelings of sadness, discouragement, and hopelessness that are inappropriate and out of proportion with reality; may be relative to some personal loss or tragedy.
displacement
the process of transferring a feeling or emotion from the original idea or object to a substitute idea or object.
dissociation
an unconscious defense mechanism by which an idea, though, emotion, or other mental process is separated from the consciousness and thereby loses emotional significance.
drug therapy
the use of psychotropic drugs to treat mental disorders. Psychotropic drugs are those prescribed for their effects in relieving symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental disorders (such as schizophrenia)
dysphoria
a disorder of affect (mood) characterized by depression and anguish
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
the process of passing an electrical current through the brain to create a brief seizure in the brain, much like a spontaneous seizure from some forms of epilepsy; also called shock therapy.
euphoria
a sense of well-being or elation
exhibitionism
a sexual disorder involving the exposure of one’s genitals to a stranger.
factitious disorders
disorders that are characterized by physical or psychological symptoms that are intentionally produced or feigned to assume the sick role
family therapy
a form of psychotherapy that focuses the treatment on the process between family members that supports and sustains symptoms.
fetishism, transvestic
a sexual disorder in which the focus of the fetish involves cross-dressing.
free association
the spontaneous, consciously unrestricted association of ideas, feelings, or mental images.
frotteurism
a sexual disorder in which the person gains sexual stimulation or excitement by rubbing against nonconsenting person.
group therapy
the application of psychotherapeutic techniques within a small group of people who experience similar difficulties.
hallucination
a subjective (existing in the mind) perception of something that does not exist in the external environment. They may be visual, olfactory (smell), gustatory, (taste), tactile (touch), or auditory (hearing).
hallucinogens
substances that cause excitation of the central nervous system, characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, mood changes, anxiety, increased pulse and blood pressure, and dilation of the pupils
hypnosis
a passive, trancelike state of existence that resembles normal sleep, during which perception and memory are altered, resulting in increased responsiveness to suggestion.
hypochondriasis
a chronic, abnormal concern about the health of the body, characterized by extreme anxiety, depression, and an unrealistic interpretation of real or imagined physical symptoms as indications of a serious illness or disease despite rational medical evidence that no disorder is present. A persona affected is referred to as a hypochondriac.
hypomania
a mild degree of mania characterized by optimism, excitability, energetic and productive behavior, marked hyperactivity and talkativeness, heightened sexual interest, quickness to anger, irritability, and a decreased need for sleep.
intoxication
a state of being characterized by impaired judgment, slurred speech, loss of coordination, irritability, and mood changes; may be due to drugs, including alcohol.
introjection
an ego defense mechanism whereby an individual unconsciously identifies with another person or with some object, assuming the supposed feelings and/or characteristics of the other personality or object.