Agoraphobia
An anxiety disorder marked by
fear of being in situations in
which escape may be difficult or
impossible. (See page 634)
Antisocial personality disorder
(APD)
A personality disorder marked
by a lack of empathy and
remorse. (See page 660)
Assessment
In psychology, examination of a
person's mental state to
diagnose possible
psychological disorders. (See
page 623)
Attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD)
A disorder characterized by
restlessness, inattentiveness,
and impulsivity. (See page 667)
Autistic disorder
A developmental disorder
characterized by deficits in
social interaction, by impaired
communication, and by
restricted interests. (See page
664)
Bipolar disorder
A mood disorder characterized
by alternating periods of
depression and mania. (See
page 640)
A personality disorder
characterized by disturbances
Borderline personality disorder
in identity, in affect, and in
impulse control. (See page 658)
A diagnostic model that views
psychopathology as the result
Cognitive-behavioral appraoch
of learned, maladaptive
thoughts and beliefs. (See page
627)
Delusions
False beliefs based on incorrect
inferences about reality. (See
page 651)
Diathesis-stress model
A diagnostic model that
proposes that a disorder may
develop when an underlying
vulnerability is coupled with a
precipitating event. (See page
626)
Disorganized behavior
Dissociative disorders
Acting in strange or unusual
ways, including strange
movement of limbs, bizarre
speech, and inappropriate selfcare, such as failing to dress
properly or bathe. (See page
652)
Mental disorders that involve
disruptions of identity, of
memory, or of conscious
awareness. (See page 646)
Dissociative identity disorder
(DID)
The occurrence of two or more
distinct identities in the same
individual. (See page 647)
Dysthymia
A form of depression that is not
severe enough to be diagnosed
as major depression. (See page
639)
Etiology
Factors that contribute to the
development of a disorder.
(See page 621)
Family systems model
A diagnostic model that
considers symptoms within an
individual as indicating
problems within the family. (See
page 627)
Generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD)
A diffuse state of constant
anxiety not associated with any
specific object or event. (See
page 633)
Hallucinations
False sensory perceptions that
are experienced without an
external source. (See page
651)
Learned helplessness
A cognitive model of depression
in which people feel unable to
control events in their lives.
(See page 643)
Loosening of associations
A speech pattern among some
people with schizophrenia in
which their thoughts are
disorganized or meaningless.
(See page 652)
Major depression
A disorder characterized by
severe negative moods or a
lack of interest in normally
pleasurable activities. (See
page 639)
Multiaxial system
The system used in the DSM; it
calls for assessment along five
axes that describe important
mental health factors. (See
page 621)
Negative symptoms
Symptoms of schizophrenia
that are marked by deficits in
functioning, such as apathy,
lack of emotion, and slowed
speech and movement. (See
page 650)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD)
An anxiety disorder
characterized by frequent
intrusive thoughts and
compulsive actions. (See page
634)
Panic disorder
An anxiety disorder that
consists of sudden,
overwhelming attacks of terror.
(See page 634)
Positive symptoms
Symptoms of schizophrenia
that are marked by excesses in
functioning, such as delusions,
hallucinations, and
disorganized speech or
behavior. (See page 650)
Posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD)
A mental disorder that involves
frequent nightmares, intrusive
thoughts, and flashbacks
related to an earlier trauma.
(See page 633)
Psychopathology
Sickness or disorder of the
mind. (See page 618)
Schizophrenia
A psychological disorder
characterized by a split
between thought and emotion;
it involves alterations in
thoughts, in perceptions, or in
consciousness. (See page 650)
Sociocultural model
A diagnostic model that views
psychopathology as the result
of the interaction between
individuals and their cultures.
(See page 627)
Warning: not all of the key ideas
are on this list of key terms