Key terms med (human growth)
Acceptance
final stage, patients understanding and accepting the fact they are going to die.
Compensation
mechanism where the body or mind counteracts a real or perceived deficiency, loss, or atypicality to maintain a typical level of functioning
Day dreaming
the mind's internal exploration, allowing for creative problem-solving, future planning, emotional processing, and self-discovery by shifting focus from reality to imagination.
Displacement
Transferring feelings about one person to someone else, usually occurs because individuals cannot direct the feelings toward the person who is responsible
Hospice
special kind of care that focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for people nearing the end of their life, typically when a cure is no longer the goal.
Adolescence
the period following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult.
Cognitive
the process of developing mental abilities like thinking, reasoning, memory, and problem-solving from infancy through adulthood
Defense mechanisms
unconscious psychological strategies people use to protect themselves from anxiety, threats, or distressing emotions
Early adulthood
when physical growth stops, and people reach peak strength and health, while also focusing on major life steps like career, relationships and forming an independent identity, transitioning from adolescence to full adult roles
Late adulthood
the final stage of human development, generally starting around age 65 and continuing until death, marked by gradual physical decline but also significant psychological variation, with many remaining healthy and active, facing new challenges like retirement, while navigating life's meaning
Affection
Affection is defined as the warm expression of care, closeness, and emotional connection towards others
Chemical abuse
substance abuse or substance use disorder, harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances
Denial
defense mechanism where an individual refuses to acknowledge or accept uncomfortable objective facts, emotions, or experiences.
Emotional
learning to understand, manage, and express your feelings in healthier, more effective ways, moving from simple reactions to complex responses, building resilience, improving relationships, and gaining self-awareness and empathy as you mature.
Life stages
phases of growth from birth to old age, typically including Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence, and Adulthood, with adulthood further split into early, middle, and late stages, each marked by unique physical, mental, and social changes.
Alzheimer's disease
a neurodegenerative brain disorder that causes a progressive decline in cognitive function, including memory, thinking skills, and behavior, eventually leading to a loss of independence and the ability to carry out simple tasks.
bargaining
stage of the grief process where an individual tries to negotiate with a higher power, fate, or themselves to change or undo a loss.
Depression
a serious mood disorder, distinct from normal sadness, marked by persistent low mood, irritability, and loss of interest, which disrupts development, learning, social connections, and daily functioning
Esteem
having a strong sense of self-worth, confidence, and respect for yourself, built from achievements and feeling valued by others, allowing you to believe in your abilities and pursue your potential.
Mental
the lifelong process of developing your thinking, feeling, and understanding, moving from basic awareness to complex skills like emotional regulation, problem-solving, and self-awareness to live a more fulfilled life.
Anger
natural, fundamental human emotion that serves an adaptive purpose by signaling perceived threats, injustice, or unmet needs.
Arteriosclerosis
the hardening and stiffening of artery walls, a process that occurs naturally with age in all humans
Development
the broader, continuous process of acquiring complex skills and functions, including physical, cognitive, and psychosocial abilities, all unfolding from conception to death, influenced by genetics and environment.
Growth
the irreversible increase in physical size (height, weight, body parts) from birth through childhood and puberty, driven by cell division and influenced by genes and hormones, resulting in a larger, more mature body.
Motivated
internal or external drive that pushes you to take action, learn, and persist toward becoming a better version of yourself, overcoming challenges to achieve personal goals like mastering a skill or finding purpose.