Wakefield's Definition of Disorder

Experiencing thoughts, feelings, and memories related to the deceased, even when they are not physically present.

Behaviors used to avoid or suppress painful emotions, thoughts, and memories related to grief.

A discrepancy between what a grieving person perceives and what is real, often leading to hallucinations or misperceptions.

The process of integrating emotional experiences and information about grief into one's understanding of self and the world.

The expression of grief can be influenced by the relationship with the deceased, and expressions of distress during the grieving process are not necessarily due to the hallucination itself, but rather the relationship with the deceased.

The idea that mental disorders are used as a tool to control society and enforce conformity, even though some stigmatized conditions like HIV are actually real.

This view argues that mental disorders correspond to physical lesions in the brain, but acknowledges that not all mental disorders have a clear physical basis.

This concept defines a disorder as a condition that is socially undesirable or problematic, but notes that many undesirable conditions are not disorders like poverty and that the definition of 'undesirable' can change over time.

This view defines a disorder as anything that mental health professionals treat, regardless of whether it is actually a disorder. However, it acknowledges that professionals may treat non-disorders like childbirth and that they can sometimes be wrong.

This view defines a disorder based on statistical deviance from the norm, but acknowledges that both positive and negative traits can be statistically deviant. Thus, statistical deviance alone is not sufficient to define a disorder.

This view defines a disorder as causing unexpected distress or disability, but acknowledges that there are normal intense responses like grief or stress, and that not all forms of distress are inherently disordered. Further, abusive relationships are not considered disorders, and some distress is expected like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This view defines a disorder as a biological disadvantage that reduces survival and reproductive success. However, it acknowledges that not all disorders affect survival and reproductive success. Additionally, some conditions that are not disorders, like societal rejection, can negatively impact survival and reproduction.

This theory defines a disorder as a mental mechanism failing to perform its naturally selected function, causing harm as defined by cultural standards. It emphasizes that a properly functioning adaptation, even if it's not ideal, cannot be defined as a disorder.

The act of hiding or disguising your true motivations. It's a mental strategy we use to maintain a positive self-image and achieve complex goals.

A defense mechanism that helps you cope with unwanted or unacceptable thoughts or feelings by denying they exist. It's like putting your head in the sand.

A defense mechanism where you revert to a more childish or primitive behavior in response to stress or conflict. It's like going back to simpler times to avoid dealing with difficult emotions.

A defense mechanism that allows you to fulfill forbidden wishes in a socially acceptable way. It's like finding a positive outlet for your negative urges.

A defense mechanism that involves justifying your actions with logical explanations even if the real reason is less respectable. It's like creating a story to make yourself feel better.

The idea that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are deeply influenced by our underlying beliefs, often formed unconsciously.

The process of committing upsetting or negative thoughts to long-term memory, which can affect future behavior but can also be detrimental to well-being.

The ability of the brain to make sense of information and create narratives that explain our experiences. It's often focused on reliability, not necessarily accuracy.

A state of being where an individual is not fully embracing their own potential or living a life with meaning, often due to unresolved issues from their parents or ancestors.

A sign or symbol that carries subjective meaning, often unique to the individual. It differs from a sign, which has a fixed, objective meaning.

A type of learning that involves experiencing negative emotional consequences and avoiding certain behavior or situations in the future. This can be adaptive for survival but can also lead to negative biases.

The tendency to pay more attention to negative stimuli, as they often trigger a stronger emotional response due to past experiences and survival instincts. This can lead to a negative bias in our perception of the world.

The idea that even painful feelings serve a purpose, providing us with valuable information about our environment, well-being, and potential dangers. This can include both external threats and internal anxieties.

The ability of depressed individuals to accurately assess their risk, even if it means lowering their initial estimations.

A state of depression characterized by specific physical symptoms like loss of appetite, weight loss, agitation, and psychomotor retardation.

A physiological process where the body prioritizes cognitive activity over physical and social functions.

The ability to maintain focus and resist distractions, crucial for analytical thinking.

Faster onset of REM sleep, supporting the retention of complex information.

An elevated level of glucose in the blood due to impaired glucose uptake by cells.

Excessive insulin production by the pancreas in response to high blood glucose levels.

The inability of cells to effectively utilize glucose, despite adequate insulin levels.

The increased breakdown of glucose within the brain, providing energy for heightened cognitive activity.

The imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain, suggesting an overactive state.

A state of prolonged physiological stress, linked to ruminative thinking and elevated cortisol levels.

The brain network involved in self-referential thinking and social cognition, showing increased activity in depression.

The brain network responsible for executive control, attention, and introspection, also showing increased activity in depression.

The idea that low serotonin levels cause depression, stemming from early research on antidepressants and reserpine.

The product of serotonin breakdown, measurable in the jugular vein, reflecting serotonin usage in the brain.

Involuntary, unwanted experiences that can be distressing , often triggered by loss. They can occur during sleep, during other times of stress, or spontaneously.

The process of mentally replaying events, thoughts, and feelings related to a loss.

A type of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements (REM) and vivid dreaming. It plays a crucial role in emotional processing and memory consolidation.

The process of converting short-term memories into long-term memories, enhancing their persistence in the brain.

The area of the brain that processes emotions and plays a role in attention, mood regulation, and emotional expression.

The part of the brain involved in the awareness of bodily sensations, including pain, and plays a role in interoception (the sense of our internal state).

The inability to distinguish between real and unreal experiences, which may lead to hallucinations. It can be influenced by factors such as sleep deprivation and mental health conditions.

The tendency to attribute successes to internal factors (like ability) and failures to external factors (like bad luck).

An inflated perception of control over events that are actually random or outside of one's influence.

The ability to recognize and understand the mental states of others.

A state of heightened emotional reactivity, characterized by intense emotional responses, particularly fear and anxiety.

A complex psychological response to trauma that can manifest as intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behaviours, and emotional distress.

The tendency to focus on and re-experience painful thoughts and feelings.

A mental health condition characterized by experiencing hallucinations and delusions - false beliefs that are not based in reality.

The chemical messenger in the brain associated with pleasure, reward, and motivation. It can be dysregulated in certain mental health conditions.