Psychology

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

Writing in a journal can provide a sense of catharsis, allowing individuals to express and process their emotions.

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

Neurosis often manifests as chronic anxiety, obsessive behaviors, or phobias that interfere with daily functioning.

the action of separating or removing something from an association or connection

The company announced the dissociation of its subsidiary from the parent group.

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

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.

the part of a person responsible for thoughts, feelings, and conscious mental functions

Meditation can calm the psyche and improve focus.

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

Psychosis is a mental health condition characterized by a loss of contact with reality, often manifesting as hallucinations or delusions.

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

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition where individuals obsess over perceived flaws in their appearance, which are often unnoticeable to others.

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

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) performed to alleviate anxiety.

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

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, such as combat, a natural disaster, or a serious accident.

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

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by intense and unstable relationships, emotions, and self-image.

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

Dissociative identity disorder (DID), formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states or identities within a single individual.

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

Exercise can serve as a coping mechanism for managing stress, anxiety, and depression by releasing endorphins and promoting a sense of well-being.

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

Denial, a defense mechanism, involves refusing to accept or acknowledge the reality of a situation.

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

Abreaction can occur during therapy sessions.

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

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include periods of mania (elevated mood) and depression (low mood).

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

Hypochondria, also known as illness anxiety disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by excessive worry and fear about having a serious medical illness, despite no or minimal evidence of actual illness.

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

Kleptomania is a mental health disorder characterized by a recurrent urge to steal items that are not needed for personal use or monetary gain.

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

The therapist helped uncover the latent content of her recurring dreams.

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

Masochism involves finding pleasure in experiencing pain.

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

Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-importance and a constant need for admiration from others.

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

The Oedipus complex describes a boy's feelings for his mother.

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

A psychosomatic disorder is a condition in which physical symptoms are caused or aggravated by psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, or emotional distress.

the mental process of explaining actions or beliefs as reasonable

He engaged in rationalization to convince himself that skipping the meeting was justified.

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

During his speech, the politician made a Freudian slip, mistakenly referring to his opponent as "my esteemed friend" instead of "my esteemed opponent."

the action or process of increasing the density of a substance or material

The condensation of the gas made it easier to store.