Mental Health Diagnoses
A group of conditions involving excessive worry or fear.
What are anxiety disorders?
Something you do without thinking much about it, which is repeated over time, and which is created by your brain to save energy.
What is a habit?
A subfield of psychology that studies well-being, strengths, and optimal functioning and which promotes flourishing, resilience, and meaning.
What is positive psychology?
The type of mindset being used when thinking, "My sister is the athletic one in the family, and I’m the smart one."
What is a fixed mindset?
Your 24 hour-hour internal clock telling you when to wake up, feel alert, get sleepy, and rest.
What is Circadian Rhythm?
Treated with structure and routines, behavioral therapy, and stimulant medication.
What is ADHD?
The three stages of the habit loop.
What is cue/trigger, routine/behavior, and reward?
The part of the brain that helps with planning ahead, making decisions, focusing/paying attention, and controlling emotions.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
The belief that you can grow your knowledge and capabilities through effort.
What is a growth mindset?
The sleep stage in which your eyes are moving quickly, you're dreaming, and your brain waves are about the same as when you're awake.
Caused by an overactive error detection circuit in the brain.
What is OCD?
A chemical messenger that makes you feel good and is released when you do something enjoyable.
What is dopamine?
The part of your brain that turns on when your mind is wandering or reflecting and helps you think about your past, future, and personal values.
What is the default mode network?
Three brain regions activated when making and achieving goals: activates the ___ (planning), ___ (getting started), and ___ (reward).
What are the prefrontal cortex, ventral tegmental area, and nucleus accumbens?
The sleep stage needed for physical restoration, tissue repair, growth, and immune system function.
What is stage 3/deep sleep?
Signs include intense mood swings, fear of being abandoned, and impulsive actions.
What is borderline personality disorder?
The act of adding something desirable to increase a behavior.
What is positive reinforcement?
The two parts of the brain that are active when you stay calm and remember your breathing in a stressful situation.
What are the prefrontal cortex and vagus nerve?
The brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections, and the concept that effort and practice can change the structure and efficiency of the brain’s pathways.
What is neuroplasticity?
The four potential responses to stressors (4Fs).
What are fight, flight, freeze, and fawn?
Signs include hallucinations (hearing voices), delusions (false beliefs), disorganized speech, and lack of motivation.
What is schizophrenia?
The type of positive or negative reinforcement or punishment you're doing when daydreaming in a boring class.
What is negative reinforcement?
The two parts of the brain that are active when you're about to take a test and feel your heart racing.
What are the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex?
The type of motivation being used when participating in an activity or task to receive an external reward or avoid a negative consequence.
What is extrinsic motivation?
The cost of constantly adjusting to stress and the wear and tear on your brain and body from too many stress cycles. Linked to depression, high BP, sleep disruption, weakened immune system.
What is allostatic load?