PSYC 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 22: Pressure Of Speech, Chemical Substance, Inhalant

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 100
• Professor: Caroline F Pukall

Document Summary

Based on the prong test, a person"s symptoms only qualify as a mental disorder if they: 1. Cause a clinically significant impairment in an individual"s ability to function: 2. Are not a predictable (expected and culturally sanctioned) reaction to an external event, and: 3. Are not the result of an individual"s voluntary choice. Psychoactive substance- a chemical substance that acts on the central nervous system, where it affects brain function, resulting in changes to a person"s emotions, perceptions, and thoughts. Common street drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines are all psychoactive substances. Nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, and prescription medications are common substances that are also considered psychoactive. Fuel, paint, and antifreeze are only considered to be psychoactive substances when they are intentionally consumed for the purpose of becoming intoxicated. Many psychoactive chemicals act on the central nervous system, where they affect brain function, resulting in changes to a person"s emotions, perceptions, or thoughts.