Psychology: English Vocabulary List

a mental condition that is not caused by organic disease in which one is constantly anxious, worried, and stressed

"Neurosis causes constant anxiety."

"Neurosis is a mental condition characterized by constant anxiety, worry, and stress, but without a loss of contact with reality."

a psychotherapy that targets negative thoughts and behaviors to address mental health issues

"CBT targets negative thoughts."

"Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychotherapy that targets negative thoughts and behaviors to effectively address various mental health issues."

a severe mental condition in which the patient loses contact with external reality

"Psychosis means losing touch with reality."

"Psychosis is a severe mental condition where an individual loses contact with external reality and experiences distorted perceptions."

a psychological disorder that causes a person to spend a lot of time thinking obsessively about the imaginary imperfections in their appearance

"BDD focuses on imaginary flaws."

"Body dysmorphic disorder causes a person to obsessively focus on imaginary imperfections in their appearance."

a disorder causing a person to have recurring unwanted thoughts or to do something such as cleaning or checking on something over and over

"OCD has unwanted thoughts."

"Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves recurring unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors such as excessive cleaning or checking."

a disorder that is formed in a person who has experienced a very shocking or frightening event, causing them to have nightmares or flashbacks from the event

"PTSD causes flashbacks from trauma."

"Post-traumatic stress disorder can cause nightmares and flashbacks following a shocking or frightening event."

a mental illness that causes a person to act impulsively, to experience severe shifts in mood, and to be unable to form interpersonal relationships

"BPD causes impulsive actions."

"Borderline personality disorder involves impulsive behavior, mood swings, and relationship difficulties."

a psychological condition in which there are more than one personality in a person, each personality has different memories and patterns of behavior

"DID has many personalities."

"Dissociative identity disorder means having multiple personalities with different memories and behaviors."

a strategy or behavior used to manage or counteract challenging emotions, thoughts, or situations

"Humor can be a healthy coping mechanism for dealing with difficult times."

"Exercise serves as an effective coping mechanism for reducing stress and anxiety."

an unconscious mental strategy individuals use to cope with anxiety, discomfort, or threatening emotions

"Denial is a common defense mechanism."

"A defense mechanism is an unconscious psychological tactic the ego employs to protect itself from anxiety triggered by unacceptable thoughts or feelings."

the release of repressed emotions or traumatic memories through therapeutic means, often resulting in catharsis and emotional relief

"She had an abreaction."

"Through abreaction in therapy, he finally released years of pent-up grief and found significant emotional relief."

a chronic mental health condition marked by episodes of mania and depression

"She has bipolar disorder."

"Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings between high energy and deep depression."

a mental condition in which a person is constantly anxious and worried about their health

"He suffers from hypochondria."

"Hypochondria makes people constantly worry that minor symptoms mean they have a serious disease."

a mental condition in which one is obsessed with stealing things without any financial motive

"Kleptomania causes an urge to steal."

"Kleptomania is a mental health disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to steal items that are not needed for personal use or monetary value."

the underlying, symbolic meanings embedded within dreams as interpreted through psychoanalytic theory, contrasted with the manifest content

"Dream analysis explores hidden latent content carefully"

"Freud believed that latent content reveals our deepest unconscious desires and fears through symbolic dream imagery."

the tendency to derive sexual pleasure from experiencing physical or emotional pain or humiliation

"The psychologist discussed masochism during the lecture"

"His masochism led him to seek out painful experiences that most people would avoid."

a psychological trait or personality disorder where someone is excessively self-centered and believes they are superior to others

"Excessive narcissism damages personal relationships seriously"

"Her narcissism made her believe she was more important and talented than everyone else."

a child's unconscious desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent

"He has Oedipus complex."

"The Oedipus complex describes a child's unconscious desire for the opposite-sex parent."

a psychological condition characterized by physical symptoms that derive from mental or emotional causes, often without any medical explanation

"It is psychosomatic."

"Psychosomatic disorders show real physical symptoms caused by psychological factors."

(psychiatry) the process by which individuals justify or explain their behaviors, often unconsciously, in a way that aligns with their self-image or societal norms

"This is rationalization."

"Rationalization is a defense mechanism where unacceptable behavior is justified with logical excuses."

an error that reveals the speaker's actual thoughts or feelings

"It was a Freudian slip."

"His Freudian slip revealed his true unconscious feelings about his boss."

(psychoanalysis) the process by which disparate elements of the unconscious mind are combined into a single symbol or image, often observed in dreams or during free association in therapy

"This shows condensation."

"Condensation allows multiple unconscious thoughts to merge into one powerful dream symbol during sleep."

(psychology) the process of relieving a complex by bringing it to consciousness and directly addressing it

"Catharsis relieves emotional tension."

"Catharsis is the psychological process of relieving emotional or psychological stress by bringing repressed feelings to consciousness."

a psychological and neurological process involving a separation or disconnection of thoughts, memories, identity, or consciousness, often as a response to trauma or stress

"Dissociation disconnects consciousness."

"Dissociation is a psychological process involving a disconnection of thoughts, memories, identity, or consciousness, often due to trauma or stress."

the immaterial or nonphysical aspect of a person

"The psyche is nonphysical."

"The psyche encompasses the immaterial or nonphysical aspect of a person, including their thoughts and emotions."