Master stress, coping, psychological disorders (DSM-5-TR), therapeutic approaches, biomedical treatments, and positive psychology — the final unit on the AP exam.
Unit 5 covers the final major topics on the AP Psychology exam — stress and health, psychological disorders, and treatment. It accounts for roughly 17–24% of the exam.
The unit opens with stress and health: the fight-or-flight response, Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (alarm, resistance, exhaustion), problem-focused vs. emotion-focused coping, social support, and positive psychology's emphasis on resilience and well-being.
The disorders section introduces the biopsychosocial and diathesis-stress models as frameworks for understanding why disorders develop. The DSM-5-TR categories covered include anxiety disorders (GAD, panic, phobias), OCD, PTSD, depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia spectrum, dissociative disorders, and personality disorders.
The treatment section covers psychological therapies — psychodynamic, humanistic (client-centered), behavior therapy, and CBT — as well as biomedical treatments including SSRIs, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, ECT, and TMS. The therapeutic alliance ties it together as the strongest cross-therapy predictor of outcomes.
Key terms preview
A taste of what you’ll find in The Essentials and Flashcards.
Biopsychosocial model
Disorders result from the interaction of biological, psychological, and social/cultural factors — not any single cause.
CBT
Cognitive-behavioral therapy — combines identifying distorted thoughts with behavior change; among the most evidence-based treatments.
Diathesis-stress model
A genetic vulnerability (diathesis) combines with life stress to trigger a disorder; neither alone is usually sufficient.
General Adaptation Syndrome
Selye's alarm → resistance → exhaustion model of chronic stress; exhaustion stage damages health.
SSRIs
Block serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonin activity — first-line treatment for depression and anxiety.
PTSD
Flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance for more than a month following trauma.
Big Idea 1. Stress affects body and mind through predictable biological pathways
Stressors trigger the fight-or-flight response (sympathetic activation) and Selye's general adaptation syndrome (alarm → resistance → exhaustion). Chronic stress in the exhaustion stage damages the immune system and cardiovascular health, making stress management a genuine medical issue.
Big Idea 2. Coping styles and social support shape health outcomes
Problem-focused coping directly addresses stressors; emotion-focused coping manages reactions. Social support, exercise, mindfulness, gratitude, and the tend-and-befriend response all measurably reduce stress-related harm. Positive psychology extends this by studying what helps people thrive.
Big Idea 3. Psychological disorders are defined by distress and impairment — not just difference
A behavior is disordered when it is atypical, dysfunctional, distressing, and culturally deviant. The biopsychosocial model and diathesis-stress model show that disorders typically have multiple interacting biological, psychological, and environmental causes — not a single explanation.
Big Idea 4. The DSM-5-TR classifies major categories of disorder
Anxiety (GAD, panic, phobias), OCD, trauma/PTSD, depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia spectrum, dissociative disorders, and personality disorders each have specific diagnostic criteria. Classification aids treatment but raises concerns about labeling.
Big Idea 5. Different therapies reflect different theories of disorder
Psychodynamic therapy explores unconscious conflict; humanistic therapy promotes growth; behavior therapy applies conditioning; CBT challenges distorted thinking and changes behavior. Each approach reflects its underlying theory — knowing the theory explains the technique.
Big Idea 6. Biological treatments work alongside psychotherapy
SSRIs, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, ECT, and TMS can all be effective, especially in combination with therapy. The therapeutic alliance — the quality of the therapist-client relationship — is one of the strongest predictors of success across all approaches.