Psychological Disorders and Therapies

interpretation

• The process of analyzing a person's thoughts and feelings.

• In psychoanalysis, the analyst's noting of supposed dream meanings, resistances, and other significant behaviors and events in an effort to promote insight.

• A method used to diagnose mental disorders through physical examinations.

• The act of explaining the meaning of a text or artwork.

psychodynamic therapy

• therapy focused on behavioral changes and skill development.

• therapy deriving from the psychoanalytic tradition; views individuals as responding to unconscious forces and childhood experiences, and seeks to enhance self-insight.

• therapy that emphasizes the role of social interactions and relationships.

• therapy that primarily uses medication to treat mental health issues.

epigenetics

• The study of genetic mutations that change DNA sequences.

• The study of how environmental factors can influence genetic expression without altering DNA.

• A branch of genetics that focuses solely on hereditary traits.

• The process of DNA replication and repair.

psychological disorder

• a disturbance in people's thoughts, emotions, or behaviors that causes distress or suffering and impairs their daily lives.

• a temporary state of sadness that resolves on its own.

• a condition that only affects children and adolescents.

• a personality trait that leads to social awkwardness.

major depressive disorder

• A disorder characterized by persistent feelings of happiness and joy.

• A disorder in which a person experiences five or more symptoms lasting two or more weeks, in the absence of drug use or a medical condition, at least one of which must be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

• A condition where individuals have an excessive amount of energy and enthusiasm.

• A temporary state of sadness that lasts for a few days.

persistent depressive disorder

• A disorder characterized by episodes of mania and depression.

• A disorder in which people experience a depressed mood on more days than not for at least two years. (Formerly called dysthymia.)

• A temporary state of sadness that lasts for a few days.

• A disorder that involves excessive energy and euphoria.

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• A psychological disorder marked by extreme inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity.

• A mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest.

• A personality disorder involving a long-term pattern of behavior that deviates from the norm.

• An anxiety disorder marked by excessive worry and fear.

bipolar II disorder

• a less severe form of bipolar in which people move between depression and a milder hypomania.

• a condition characterized by extreme mood swings including manic episodes.

• a type of anxiety disorder that involves excessive worry and fear.

• a mental health disorder that causes persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities.

dissociative amnesia

• A disorder characterized by complete memory loss of all life events.

• A disorder in which people with intact brains reportedly experience memory gaps; people with dissociative amnesia may report not remembering trauma-related specific events, people, places, or aspects of their identity and life history.

• A condition where individuals forget their names and personal details due to stress.

• A psychological disorder that leads to the inability to form new memories.

specific phobia

• an anxiety disorder marked by a persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of a specific object, activity, or situation.

• a general feeling of unease or apprehension about the future.

• a condition characterized by excessive worry about various aspects of life.

• a fear of social situations that may lead to embarrassment.