Stress and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic The Global Context of Psychological Distress The emergence and subsequent global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), leading to the COVID-19 pandemic, represented an unprecedented global health crisis that profoundly impacted mental health worldwide. Unlike localized disasters or regional conflicts, the pandemic introduced a […]
Psychological Health and Well-Being During COVID-19 The onset of the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic instigated a global health crisis that extended far beyond virological concerns, precipitating a profound and pervasive psychological emergency. This entry examines the complex interplay between unprecedented societal disruption and individual well-being, exploring the immediate stressors, resultant psychopathologies, adaptive coping […]
Boredom as Strain: A Conceptual Overview The psychological construct of boredom is frequently misunderstood as mere lethargy or the passive absence of activity; however, contemporary research defines it as a profound and aversive self-regulatory state characterized by both cognitive and affective strain. This perspective posits that boredom is not simply a lack of external stimulation, […]
Introduction: Defining Bracing for Bad News (Anticipatory Coping) The phenomenon known as bracing for bad news refers to a complex, anticipatory psychological process wherein individuals mentally and emotionally prepare themselves for the potential arrival of undesirable or negative information. This preparatory mechanism is a crucial component of human stress and coping strategies, manifesting across diverse […]
Introduction and Definition of Delusion Acceptance The concept of acceptance of delusions represents a significant paradigm shift within the psychological treatment of psychosis, particularly schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Historically, therapeutic interventions focused almost exclusively on challenging, modifying, or eliminating the delusional content itself, aiming for full insight where the patient recognized the belief as false. […]
Affective Disorders: An Introduction Affective disorders, often referred to synonymously with mood disorders, constitute a category of psychiatric diagnoses characterized primarily by a significant disturbance in the person’s emotional state or mood. These conditions involve sustained periods of extreme sadness, extreme elation, or rapid shifts between the two, which ultimately impair social, occupational, and physical […]
Defining the Link Between Myocardial Infarction and Depression The relationship between Myocardial Infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, and subsequent major depressive disorder is a critical area of psychological and medical research. This connection is bidirectional and complex, involving physiological, psychological, and social factors. Following an acute cardiac event, patients often experience a […]
Introduction to Etiological Models of Depression The understanding of the causes and risk factors associated with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is complex, evolving, and inherently multifactorial. Depression is not attributable to a single cause but rather arises from a dynamic interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural elements. Historically, explanatory models have shifted dramatically, moving from […]
Introduction to Belief Systems Regarding Depression Treatment The success of any intervention for major depressive disorder is profoundly influenced not only by the scientific efficacy of the treatment itself but also by the deeply entrenched beliefs and expectations held by the patient, their family, and the wider public. These beliefs, often referred to as lay […]
Introduction to the Anaclitic–Introjective Model of Depression The concept of Anaclitic–Introjective Depression represents a seminal theoretical contribution to the psychoanalytic and psychodynamic understanding of depressive disorders, primarily developed by psychologist Sidney J. Blatt. This dual-axis model moves beyond purely descriptive, symptom-based classifications—such as those found in standard diagnostic manuals—to explore the underlying personality organization, developmental […]