MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND 
 
RELATED CONDITIONS 
 

MSI LLS Training 
DEFINITIONS 

ANXIETY 

1. People who suffer from anxiety tend to respond with fear and dread to certain objects or
situations. They also show physical signs of nervousness, like rapid heartbeat and sweating.
This can be diagnosed when the person's response is not appropriate for the circumstances, if
the person cannot control the response, or if the anxiety interferes with normal functioning.

2. The apprehensive anticipation of future danger or misfortune accompanied by a feeling of

dysphoria or somatic symptoms of tension. The focus of anticipated danger may be internal or
external. Anxiety is often distinguished from fear in that fear is a more appropriate word to use
when there exists threat or danger in the real world. Anxiety is reflective more of a threat that is
not apparent or imminent in the real world, at least not to the experienced degree.

3. Anxiety is a type of fear. It is usually associated with the thought of a threat or something
going wrong in the future, rather than something happening right now. When you feel frightened
or seriously anxious, your mind and body speed up. It is a very powerful emotion with very
strong effect on the mind and body because it is one of our natural survival responses. It tells
you what to do in an emergency, like a fire or if you are being attacked. We can also feel fear
when faced with less dangerous situations, like exams, public speaking, a new job, a date, or
even a party. It is a natural response to something that a person feels is a threat.

Anxiety is an overwhelming fear that causes you to react inappropriately to certain situations or
conditions with a sense of worry and tension. It is an uncontrollable emotion that affects mind
and body, causing tension, body aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, sweating and irritability.
It occurs when you are afraid or worried about facing a dangerous or traumatic event, such as a
test, a visit to the doctor, surgery, a public presentation, or meeting someone. It is debilitating
and can be treated with medicine.

Agoraphobia

1. Fear of open spaces such as the market, or agora. It is an intense fear and avoidance of any
place or situation where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, in case of developing
sudden panic-like symptoms. People who suffer from this phobia may find it extremely difficult to
leave their homes to shop, attend entertainment or sports events, keep medical appointments,
or pursue education or a career. They are, quite literally, prisoners in their own homes. For
many people, this phobia may have been precipitated by a panic attack in some place away
from their home. The panic induces the fear and the fear is attached to whatever place the
attack took place. It may start in childhood or even older adulthood. It is more prevalent in
women than men. Risk factors include genetic predisposition, anxious personality, stress, and
substance abuse.

2. It is an anxiety about being in places or situations in which escape might be difficult or

embarrassing or in which help may not be available should a panic attack occur. It relates to
venturing into the open, or leaving the familiar setting of one's home, being in a crowd, standing
in line, or traveling in a car or train. Although agoraphobia usually occurs as a part of panic
disorder, agoraphobia without a history of panic disorder has been described as also occurring
without other disorders.

3. The word agoraphobia is derived from Greek words literally meaning "fear of the
marketplace." The term is used to describe an irrational and often disabling fear of being out in
public. It is one type of phobia. People with agoraphobia frequently experience panic attacks,
but panic attacks, or panic disorder, are not a requirement for a diagnosis of agoraphobia. The
defining feature of agoraphobia is anxiety about being in places from which escape might be
embarrassing or difficult, or in which help might be unavailable. The person suffering from
agoraphobia usually avoids the anxiety-provoking situation and may become totally
housebound.

Agoraphobia is an uncontrollable fear of being out of your familiar surroundings where you feel
at ease. Places such as getting into a crowd or open space, from which you are afraid that you
would not be able to escape due to embarrassment or not finding help if needed. You are afraid
of going to a game, a concert, a fair, standing in line, or traveling. In order to avoid those
situations, the individual prefers to stay home.

Social phobia

1. Social phobia is an anxiety disorder in which a person experiences an excessive and

unreasonable fear of social situations. Anxiety or intense nervousness and self-consciousness
arise from a fear of being closely watched, judged, and criticized by others.

2. A person with social phobia is afraid that he or she will make mistakes, look bad, and be
embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. It becomes worse by a lack of social skills or
experience in social situations. The anxiety can build into a panic attack. As a result, the person
endures certain social situations in extreme distress or may avoid them altogether. In addition,
people with social anxiety disorder often suffer "anticipatory" anxiety -- the fear of a situation
before it even happens -- for days or weeks before the event. In many cases, the person is
aware that the fear is unreasonable, yet is unable to overcome it.

3. People with social anxiety disorder may be afraid of a specific situation, such as speaking in
public, traveling, going to a specific place, facing someone. However, most people with social
anxiety disorder fear more than one social situation.

Social phobia is a persistent irrational fear of a specific object, activity or situation. As a result,
the person experiences a compelling desire to avoid the object, activity or situation that would
provoke the fear and may withdraw from them. It is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a strong,
irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger.
 Specific phobia

1. There are many specific phobias. Acrophobia is a fear of heights. Agoraphobia is a fear of
public places, and claustrophobia is a fear of closed-in places. If you become anxious and
extremely self-conscious in everyday social situations, you could have a social phobia. Other
common phobias involve tunnels, highway driving, water, flying, animals and blood.

2. The English suffixes -phobia, -phobic, -phobe, are used to construct words that describe
irrational, disabling fear as a mental disorder or chemical aversions, or dislike for certain
conditions. In common usage they also form words that describe dislike or hatred of a particular
thing or subject. There are many types of phobias, including agoraphobia, social phobia, or
simple phobia.

3. Fear or disliking. There is a large number of phobias, depending on the object that produces
fear or disliking. It could be animals, people, ethnic groups, religious groups, foods, water,
darkness, hurricanes, and the list goes on and on.

Phobia is a fear produced when the individual is exposed to certain situations that make him
nervous, afraid or scared. It is an uncontrollable reaction. The list of phobias is very long,
depending on each case or situation. It could be an elevator ride, heights, animals such as cats,
snakes, mice, crowds, water, rain, hurricanes, tight spaces, and many more.

Panic disorder

1. A panic attack is a feeling of sudden terror that often occurs with a pounding heart, sweating,
nausea, chest pain or smothering sensations and feelings of faintness or dizziness. Panic
disorder frequently occurs in addition to other serious conditions like depression, drug abuse, or
alcoholism. If left untreated, it may lead to a pattern of avoidance of places or situations where
panic attacks have occurred. In about a third of cases, the threat of a panic attack becomes so
overwhelming that a person may become isolated or housebound—a condition known as
agoraphobia. Panic disorder is one of the most treatable of the anxiety disorders through
medications or psychotherapy. Early treatment of panic disorder can help prevent agoraphobia.

2. Periods of sudden onset of intense apprehension, fearfulness, or terror, often associated with
feelings of impending doom. During these attacks there are symptoms such as shortness of
breath or smothering sensations; palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate; chest
pain or discomfort; choking; and fear of going crazy or losing control. Panic attacks may be
unexpected, in which the onset of the attack is not associated with a situational trigger and
instead occurs "out of the blue". The panic attack almost invariably occurs immediately on
exposure to, or in anticipation of, a certain situation.

3. Panic attacks are terrifying experiences, which fortunately are one of the most treatable of the
anxiety disorders. They are truly terrifying and can happen without warning or reason, causing
sudden fear and extreme nervousness for 10 minutes or more. Physical symptoms intensify the
attack: sweating, racing heart, rapid pulse, feeling faint or as if one is choking, and-perhaps
worst of all-the sense of "going crazy."

Panic Attacks are episodes that occur when an individual suffering from emotional disorders is
exposed to certain terrifying or fearful situations that cause him anxiety, panic or terror.
Symptoms include sweats, smothering sensation, palpitations, chest pain, accelerated pulse
and it could be confused with a heart attack. People may feel they are going crazy.

Bipolar Disorder

1. Consists of “mood swings” that can be extreme or frequent. These changes in mood aren’t as
simple as transitioning from “happy” to “sad.” With Bipolar Disorder, symptoms can include both
a lowering of mood (depression) and an exaggerated elevation of mood (mania). These
changes occur in cycles and are referred to as “episodes.” People with Bipolar Disorder
experience extreme mood swings that can take three different forms: manic, depressive, and
mixed episodes. Bipolar Disorder is a disease thought to be caused by changes in the chemistry
of the brain. The symptoms and severity of the condition can vary, but with the proper treatment,
Bipolar Disorder symptoms can be managed.

2. Bipolar Disorder, or manic-depressive illness, is a type of mood disorder characterized by

recurrent episodes of highs (mania) and lows (depression) in mood. These episodes involve
extreme changes in mood, energy, and behavior. Manic symptoms include extreme irritable or
elevated mood; a very inflated sense of self-importance, risk behaviors, distractibility, increased
energy, and a decreased need for sleep.

3. Bipolar Disorder (BD), formerly known as manic depression and characterized by intermittent
episodes of mania or hypomania, usually interlaced with depressive episodes. However, there
are also psychiatric syndromes featuring less severe depression known as dysthymic disorder
and cyclothymic disorder.

Bipolar Disorder is characterized by mood swings. They are not as simple as transitioning from
happiness to sadness. Symptoms can include both a lowering of mood (depression) and an
exaggerated elevation of mood (mania). These changes occur in cycles called episodes.
Patients experience extreme mood swings in three different forms: manic, depressive, and
mixed episodes. It is caused by changes in the chemistry of the brain that can be managed with
proper treatment.

Obsessive compulsive disorder;

1. Persons with OCD suffer from persistent and unwelcome anxious thoughts, and the result is
the need to perform rituals to maintain control. For instance, a person obsessed with germs or
dirt may wash his hands constantly. Feelings of doubt can make another person check on
things repeatedly. Others may touch or count things or see repeated images that disturb them.
These thoughts are called obsessions, and the rituals that are performed to try to prevent or get
rid of them are called compulsions. Severe OCD can consume so much of a person's time and
concentration that it interferes with daily life. There are treatments and medications, as well as
psychotherapy for this disorder.

2. Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive

thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry; by repetitive behaviors aimed
at reducing the associated anxiety; or by a combination of such obsessions and compulsions.
Symptoms of the disorder include excessive washing or cleaning; repeated checking; extreme
hoarding; preoccupation with sexual, violent or religious thoughts; relationship-related
obsessions; aversion to particular numbers; and nervous rituals, such as opening and closing a
door a certain number of times before entering or leaving a room. These symptoms can be
alienating and time-consuming, and often cause severe emotional and financial distress. The
acts of those who have OCD may appear paranoid and potentially psychotic. However, OCD
sufferers generally recognize their obsessions and compulsions as irrational, and may become
further distressed by this realization.

3. Obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder. People who develop this disorder have
uncontrollable thoughts and fears or obsessions that cause repetitive behaviors (compulsions)
that the person uses in an effort to stop the obsessions. People with this disorder may realize
that their obsessions are unreasonable, and they may try to stop their compulsive behavior.
Stopping the compulsive behavior increases anxiety and distress, driving the person to resume
performing the behavior.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is an extreme anxiety about minor issues. Often the anxiety is
so intense that it impacts a person’s ability to live a normal life. To reduce the anxiety, the
person may engage in repetitive actions and may experience an increase in anxiety if these
actions are not performed. The person recognizes his obsessions and that causes him more
distress.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

1. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects children,

adolescents, and adults. ADHD appears as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or
hyperactivity/impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than is typically seen in one's peers.
The brain uses various chemicals to help send messages across the nervous system. An
imbalance of these chemical messengers may result in the inattentive and
hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD. It does not develop in adults, just in children, but if
not treated, they will become adults with ADHD.

2. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a behavioral condition characterized by

inattentiveness, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity that affects children and adults. Its cause is
unknown but the disorder may run in families. ADHD could be confused for learning disabilities
and other conditions such as depression.

3. The most common behaviors of ADHD fall into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity,
and impulsivity. Patients cannot focus on one thing and may get bored with a task after only a
few minutes. Hyperactive people always seem to be in motion and can't sit still. They dash
around or talk constantly. People overly impulsive seem unable to curb their immediate
reactions or think before they act. Not everyone who is overly hyperactive, inattentive, or
impulsive has an attention disorder. While the cause of ADHD is unknown, in the last decade,
scientists have learned much about the course of the disorder and are now able to identify and
treat children, adolescents, and adults who have it. There are medications, behavior-changing
therapies, and educational options that help patients focus their attention, build self-esteem, and
function in new ways.

The causes of ADHD are unknown. People who suffer from this disorder cannot control their
inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. They may not even realize that they are
behaving this way. Currently there are medications, counseling, education and therapies that
can help people with ADHD focus on one subject at a time. It usually occurs in children, but if
treated properly, they can become normal adults.

POST TRAUMATIC DISORDER

1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD occurs after an individual experiences a terrifying

event such as an accident, an attack, military combat, or a natural disaster. Individuals relive
their trauma through nightmares or disturbing thoughts throughout the day. They may feel
detached, numb, irritable, or more aggressive. Ordinary events can begin to cause flashbacks
or terrifying thoughts. Some people recover a few months after the event, but other people will
suffer lasting or chronic PTSD. They can be helped by medications and psychotherapy.

2. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that develops after a traumatic
event. PTSD has also been called shell shock or battle fatigue. The exact cause of PTSD is
unknown. PTSD is triggered by exposure to a traumatic event. Situations in which a person
feels intense fear, helplessness, or horror are considered traumatic, such as War, Rape,
Physical assault, Earthquakes, Fire, Sexual abuse, Motor vehicle accidents and others.

3. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a

terrifying event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as
uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Many people who go through traumatic events have
difficulty adjusting and coping for a while. But with time and taking care of themselves, such
traumatic reactions usually get better. In some cases, though, the symptoms can get worse or
last for months or even years. Sometimes they may completely shake up your life. In a case
such as this, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder. Getting treatment as soon as
possible after post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms develop may prevent long-term post-
traumatic stress disorder.

PTSD occurs in different age, gender, marital, and racial/ethnic groups. It is the response to a
traumatic life event, such as war, natural disasters, the loss of a love one, rape, or fire and it is
different from person to person. It is recommended to seek help as soon as possible.

DEPRESSION

1. Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass
within a couple of days. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain
for both you and those who care about you. Depression is a common but serious illness. Many
people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the majority, even those with the
most severe depression, can get better with treatment. Medications, psychotherapies, and other
methods can effectively treat people with depression.

2. Depression is a medical illness that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of
interest. Depression can cause physical symptoms, too. It is also called major depression, major
depressive disorder and clinical depression. It affects how you feel, think and behave.
Depression can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble
doing normal day-to-day activities, and depression may make you feel as if life were not worth
living.

3. Clinical depression is a medical illness which affects millions of people each year. Though
people often get the "blues," clinical depression causes persistent changes in some persons
mood, behavior, and feelings. The illness interferes with and disrupts a persons' education, job
and family life. No amount of "cheering up" can make it go away, and neither can "keep a stiff
upper lip" nor "toughing it out." No amount of exercise, vitamins, or vacation can make clinical
depression disappear. People with clinical depression need to get proper treatment which
usually includes medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.

Depression is an illness that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest which
interferes with daily life and causes pain for both the patient and his loved ones. Depression can
lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and is a common but serious illness.
Regardless of efforts, there is no "cheering up" to make it go away, neither exercise, vitamins,
or vacation can make depression disappear. Many people with depression never seek
treatment. It causes persistent changes in a person’s mood, behavior, and feelings.

DEMENTIA AND DELIRIUM

1. Dementia is permanent and happens slowly (like Alzheimer's dementia). currently it is

irreversible. Delirium can come on quickly and is reversible (can be caused by fevers,
medications, dehydration, starvation, etc.)

2. Delirium and dementia are the most common causes of lack of mental functioning according
to the Merck Manual. People with either or both of these disorders are unable to increase,
retain, and use knowledge in the normal fashion. Delirium and dementia may occur together,
but their medical definitions are quite different.

3. Dementia. A person with dementia gets worse over time. The disease slowly progresses and
is most often irreversible. Dementia usually affects a person's short-term memory first. The
person may have difficulty with language, planning ahead and judgment, simple mathematical
calculations, and movement according to the medical definition. Delirium starts quite suddenly,
causing changes in mental functioning. It is often reversible. It affects mainly attention. People
look disoriented, unable to think clearly, and may be hyper one minute and in a sleep-like state
the next. It is more common in older people because of changes in the brain that occur with
age.

Dementia and delirium are changes in our brain functions. Symptoms are asking the same
question over and over, not being able to follow directions and getting confused easily.
Dementia can be caused by Alzheimer. It usually leads to death. Delirium is reversible, starts
quickly and has similar symptoms as Dementia, but the two conditions are different.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

1. Substance abuse is the condition caused by physical and/or emotional

dependence on drugs, narcotics, alcohol or other addictive substances resulting in
a chronic disorder which affects physical health and/or personal or social
functioning.
2. Substance abuse or dependence, commonly called drug addiction, is a user's compulsive
need to use drugs in order to function normally. When such substances are unobtainable, the
user suffers from withdrawal.

3. Substance abuse is a fancy way to refer to two basic things: symptoms of intoxication, and
evidence of substance withdrawal by an individual who cannot or does not want to control the
use of drugs.

When an individual persists in use of alcohol or other drugs despite problems related to use of
the substance, he is diagnosed as suffering from substance abuse. It is a compulsive and
repetitive use which may result in tolerance to the effect of the drug and withdrawal symptoms
occur when use is reduced or stopped. This is considered Substance Use Disorders.

MOOD DISORDERS

1. Mood disorder is the term designating a group of diagnoses where a disturbance in the
person's mood is hypothesized to be the main underlying feature. The classification is known as
mood (affective) disorders. It is called affective mood disorder when it is internal, but it is called
mood disorder when it refers to external expression observed by others. Two groups of mood
disorders are broadly recognized; the division is based on whether a manic or hypo manic
episode has ever been present.

2. A mood disorder, also referred to as an affective disorder, is a condition impacting mood and
related functions. In a mood disorder, moods range from extremely low (depressed) to
extremely high or irritable (manic). Mood disorders can lead to changes in sleeping and eating
patterns. Some people, especially children, may have physical symptoms of depression, like
unexplained headaches or stomachaches.

3. Mood disorders include the types of depression and bipolar disorder. It is caused by chemical
imbalances in the brain. Anyone can be affected by mood at different times in their lives. When
you think of mood disorders, it is possible that depression and bipolar disorder come to mind.
That's because these are common, severe illnesses and leading causes of disability. There are
different treatments for it. That normally involves therapy and drugs.

Mood disorder is the condition where the individual can go from being euphoric to going into
depression, without much control or determining the reason for those drastic changes. It is
caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. It can be treated with therapy and medicine.

Major Depressive Disorder

1. Major depressive disorder involves a pervading sense of sadness and/or loss of interest or
pleasure in most activities that interferes with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy
once pleasurable activities. This is a severe condition that can impact a person's thoughts,
sense of self worth, sleep, appetite, energy, and concentration. The condition can occur as a
single debilitating episode or as recurring episodes.

2. Major depressive disorder (MDD) (also known as clinical depression, major depression,
unipolar depression, unipolar disorder or recurrent depression in the case of repeated episodes)
is a mental disorder characterized by episodes of all-encompassing low mood accompanied by
low self-esteem and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities.

3. Major depressive disorder is a disabling condition that adversely affects a person's family,
work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health.
Mayor depressive disorder or MDD is the best-known and most researched disorder, commonly
called clinical depression or major depression. It may be substance-induced or it may occur in
response to a medical condition. Includes low self-esteem, low or no interest in doing enjoyable
activities, affecting daily life, work and family.

Major depressive disorder is a mental condition that affects the life of the individual, making it
difficult for him to function normally in his daily life, work, and family. It also prevents him from
enjoying activities that otherwise were very enjoyable. His mood and self-esteem are low.

Dysthymic Disorder

1. This mood disorder is a less severe form of depression. Although less extreme, dysthymic
disorder causes long-lasting moodiness. With dysthymic disorder, low, dark moods invade your
life nearly every day for two years or more. Dysthymia is contrasted with a full major depressive
episodes that lasts two years or longer. This is called chronic major depression.
2. Dysthymic disorder can occur alone or along with other psychiatric or mood disorders. As
with depression, dysthymic disorder is more common in women than in men. A family history of
mood disorders is not uncommon. This mood disorder tends to appear earlier than major
depression, although it can begin anytime from childhood to later in life.

3. Dysthymia involves a chronic disturbance of mood in which an individual often feels little
satisfaction with activities of life most of the time. Many people with dysthymia also experience
major depressive episodes in their lives leading to a recurrent depressive disorder. The average
length of an episode of dysthymia is about four years.

Dysthymia is another depressive disorder that affects your mood and it is most commonly found
in women. The individual does not feel satisfaction getting involved in enjoyable activities. It may
last for an average of two to three years.

Bypolar disorder - NOTE: Bipolar disorder was described above under ANXIETY. It is
another variation of Mood Swings.

Suicide

1. Suicide (Latin suicidium, from sui caedere, "to kill oneself") is the act of intentionally causing
one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair, the cause of which is frequently
attributed to a mental disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism,
or drug abuse. Stress factors such as financial difficulties or troubles with interpersonal
relationships often play a role. Efforts to prevent suicide include limiting access to firearms,
treating mental illness and drug misuse, and improving economic development.

2. Suicide is the eleventh most common cause of death in the United States. People may
consider suicide when they are hopeless and can't see any other solution to their problems.
Often it's related to serious depression, alcohol or substance abuse, or a major stressful event.
People who have the highest risk of suicide are white men. But women and teens report more
suicide attempts. If someone talks about suicide, it should be taken seriously. Therapy and
medicines can help most people who have suicidal thoughts. Treating mental illnesses and
substance abuse can reduce the risk of suicide.

3. The most commonly used method of suicide varies by country and is partly related to
availability. Common methods include: hanging, pesticide poisoning, and firearms. Suicide rates
are higher in men than in women, with males three to four times more likely to kill themselves
than females. There are millions of non-fatal suicidal attempts every year and they are more
common in the young and females.

Suicide is the decision followed by the action of intentionally taking one’s own life due to
different circumstances in the person’s life, either economical, emotional, depression or
helplessness, usually due to mental problems. When somebody talks about suicide, it should
not be taken lightly. There is a lot of help through therapy, counseling and medication to prevent
suicide.

EATING AND SLEEP DISORDERS

Sleep disorders

1. Sleep problems include snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, sleep deprivation, and restless legs
syndrome. These are common among millions of Americans. It is important to understand why
sleep is necessary for optimal health, how the natural hormone melatonin affects sleep and
wakefulness, and how the different states and stages of sleep impact sleep quality, quantity,
and sleep dreams.

2. Sleep disorders or parasomnias are a group of sleeping problems that involve unwanted
events or experiences that occur while you are falling asleep, sleeping or waking up. They may
include abnormal movements, behaviors, emotions, perceptions or dreams. Although the
behaviors may be complex and appear purposeful to others, you remain asleep during the event
and often have no memory that it occurred.

3. Sleep disorders include:

• Sleepwalking
• Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
• Confusing Arousals
• Night Terrors
• Nightmare Disorder
• Sleep Paralysis
• Sleep Talking
• Bedwetting (enuresis)
• Sleep Related Groaning
• Exploding Head Syndrome
• Sleep Related Eating Disorder

There are several sleep disorders, caused by different reasons, such as illness, inactivity, poor
sleep habits, and the inappropriate use of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. Proper medical care
and changes in sleep habits can often bring about a good night’s sleep, without the need for
sleeping pills. Lack of exercise, unbalanced diets, illness, depression, and chronic pain can
cause insomnia. However, there are safe and effective treatments available today.

Eating disorders

Bulimia

1. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of binge eating—eating an excessive amount of food at

once with a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode—followed by behavior in
order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced purging by vomiting or misuse of laxatives,
diuretics, enemas, or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise. Because purging or
other compensatory behavior follows the binge-eating episodes, people with bulimia usually
weigh within the normal range for their age and height. However, like individuals with anorexia,
they may fear gaining weight, desire to lose weight, and feel dissatisfied with their bodies.
People with bulimia often perform the behaviors in secrecy, feeling disgusted and ashamed
when they binge, yet relieved once they purge.

2. Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves bingeing on food followed by purging, can
cause gum disease, osteoporosis, kidney disease, heart disease, tooth decay, osteoporosis,
and death. Bulimia affects mostly women and teens.

3. Bulimia is a type of eating disorder. People with bulimia will eat a large amount of food in a
short time (binge). Then they will do something to get rid of the food (purge). They may vomit,
exercise too much, or use medicines like laxatives. People who have bulimia may binge
because food gives them a feeling of comfort. But eating too much makes them feel out of
control. After they binge, they feel ashamed, guilty, and afraid of gaining weight, so they purge.

Bulimia is an eating disorder in which the person eats large amounts of food at one time
because they feel comfort and satisfaction doing that, but right away they feel they need to get
rid of the food and use any method to do it. They either vomit, use laxatives, or exercise,
because they feel they are out of control and they feel embarrassed when they do that. Bulimia
and purging cause many problems, such as heart, kidney decease, tooth decay, and even
death.

Anorexia Nervosa

1. People with this disorder see themselves as overweight despite their actual body weight. With
this disorder, a person works to maintain a weight lower than normal for their age and height.
This is accompanied by an intense fear of weight gain or looking fat. At times, a person can
even deny the seriousness of their low body weight. Eating becomes an obsession and creates
habits such as avoiding meals, picking out a few foods and eating these in small quantities, or
carefully weighing and portioning food. People with anorexia may repeatedly check their body
weight, and many engage in other techniques to control their weight, like compulsive exercise or
purging by vomiting or using laxatives. Some people fully recover after a single episode; some
have a pattern of weight gain and relapse; and others experience a deteriorating course of
illness over many years

2. Anorexia is the most lethal psychiatric disorder, carrying a six-fold increased risk of death --
four times the death risk from major depression. Anorexia is not the only kind of eating disorder,
but one of the most serious eating disorders, besides Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating
Disorder. People who have anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight, so they severely
limit the amount of food they eat and can become dangerously thin.

3. Anorexia nervosa takes an enormous toll on the body. It has the highest death rate of any
mental illness. Between 5% and 20% of people who develop the disease eventually dies from it.
This I is how it works. The first victim of anorexia is often the bones. The disease usually
develops in adolescence, at the time when young people are supposed to be putting down the
critical bone mass that will sustain them through adulthood. But the most life-threatening
damage is usually the havoc wreaked on the heart. As the body loses muscle mass, it loses
heart muscle at a preferential rate. The heart gets smaller and weaker and gets worse
increasing circulation in response to exercise, and your pulse and your blood pressure get
lower. Heart damage is what ultimately caused death.

Anorexia is a dangerous eating disorder that occurs when people, mostly teenagers have an
uncontrollable fear of gaining weight, so they limit their food intake. They don’t eat enough for
their age, height, and weight, causing damage to their bones, to their heart, and their circulation.
Anorexia affects both the body and the mind. It may start as dieting, but it gets out of control.
They think about food, dieting, and weight all the time. They have a distorted body image. Other
people say you are too thin, but when they look in the mirror, they see a fat person. They
become weak, and their blood pressure gets low. This causes damage to their heart, and
ultimately death, if not treated on time.

Binge eating disorder

1. (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States affecting 3.5% of females and
2% of males and is prevalent in up to 30% of those seeking weight loss treatment. Although it is
not yet classified as a separate eating disorder, it was first described as a syndrome where
people would eat during the night, it did not determine the time of the day when people eat. BED
usually leads to obesity although it can occur in normal weight individuals. There may be a
genetic inheritance factor and also a higher incidence of psychiatric factors.

2. Binge eating disorder, also known as compulsive overeating, is a newly recognized eating
disorder. Eating disorders are serious mental health disorders in which emotions and thinking
patterns cause a person to adopt harmful eating habits, such as overeating or starving. Often,
these habits are a way of coping with depression, stress, or anxiety.

3. Binge eating disorder is a serious condition characterized by uncontrollable eating and

resulting weight gain. People with binge eating disorder frequently eat large amounts of food,
beyond the point of feeling full, while feeling a loss of control over their eating. Although the
binging behavior is similar to what occurs in bulimia nervosa, people with binge eating disorder
do not engage in purging by vomiting or using laxatives.

With binge eating disorders, people use food as a way of coping with uncomfortable feelings
and emotions. These are people who may have never learned how to deal effectively with
stress, and find it comforting and soothing to eat food. Unfortunately, they often end up feeling
sad and guilty about not being able to control their eating. That increases the stress and they
end up repeating the cycle. The difference with bulimia is that overeaters don’t provoke vomit,
nor they use laxatives or medications.

SCHIZOPHRENIA

1. Symptoms of schizophrenia include distorted thoughts and hallucinations. Usually starting in

young adulthood, schizophrenia can also cause fear and paranoia. They hear voices and have
hallucinations. To make a schizophrenia diagnosis, a psychiatrist evaluates symptoms, tests,
and medical history, before prescribing medications and possibly psychotherapy or other types
of therapy for proper schizophrenia treatment. New research is helping us understand this
disorder better.

2. Schizophrenia is a serious brain disorder that distorts the way a person thinks, acts,
expresses emotions, perceives reality, and relates to others. People with schizophrenia often
have problems functioning in society, at work and at school, and in relationships. Schizophrenia
can leave its sufferer frightened and withdrawn. It is a lifelong disease that cannot be cured but
usually can be controlled with proper treatment.

3. Contrary to popular belief, a person with schizophrenia does not have a split personality.
Schizophrenia is a psychosis, a type of mental illness in which a person cannot tell what is real
or what is imaginary. At times, people with psychotic disorders lose touch with reality. The world
may seem like a jumble of confusing ideas, images, and sounds. The behavior of people with
schizophrenia may be very strange and even shocking. A sudden change in personality and
behavior, which occurs when people lose touch with reality, is called a psychotic episode.

Schizophrenia is equally common in men and women. It often begins with an episode of
psychotic symptoms like hearing voices or believing that others are trying to control or harm
you. The persons has fragmented delusions or thoughts that are fragmented, bizarre, without
basis in reality. They may occur along with hallucinations and disorganized speech and
behavior, leaving the individual frightened, anxious, and confused. There is no known single
cause of schizophrenia, but it can be treated with medications and psychosocial support like
psychotherapy, self-help groups, and rehabilitation.
SUICIDE, SELF-HARM - NOTE: Suicide was discussed above under MOOD DISORDERS.

1. Self-harm (SH) or deliberate self-harm includes self-injury and self-poisoning and is defined
as the intentional, direct injuring of body tissue most often done without suicidal intentions.
These terms are used in the more recent literature in an attempt to reach a more neutral
terminology, almost exclusively refers to self-mutilation. The term is synonymous with "self-
injury".

2. The most common form of self-harm is skin-cutting but self-harm also covers a wide range of
behaviors including, but not limited to, burning, scratching, banging or hitting body parts,
interfering with wound healing, hair-pulling and the ingestion of toxic substances or objects.

3. Behaviors associated with self-harm are substance abuse and eating disorders, which are not
considered self-harm because the resulting tissue damage is ordinarily an unintentional side
effect. However, the boundaries are not clearly defined and in some cases behaviors that
usually fall outside the boundaries of self-harm may indeed represent self-harm if performed
with explicit intent to cause damage.

Self-harm consists of causing self-damage and it could be performed in many different ways,
such as self-burning, self-cutting, substance abuse, taking poison, putting your life in danger,
taking an excessive amount of medication.

SEXUAL AND GENDER DISORDERS

1. Gender identity disorder is a conflict between a person's physical gender and the gender he
or she identifies as. For example, a person identified as a boy may actually feel and act like a
girl. The person is very uncomfortable with the gender they were born. The cause is unknown,
but hormones in the womb, genes, social and environmental factors (such as parenting) may be
involved. This rare disorder may occur in children or adults.

2. People with gender identity disorder may act and present themselves as members of the
opposite sex. The disorder may affect:
• Choice of sexual partners
• Mannerisms, behavior, and dress
• Self-concept

3. Gender identity disorder is not the same as homosexuality. Identity conflicts need to continue
over time to be a gender identity disorder. How the gender conflict occurs is different in each
person. For example, some people may cross-dress while others want sex-change surgery.
Some people of one gender privately identify more with the other gender. People who are born
with ambiguous genitalia, which can raise questions about their gender, may develop a gender
identity disorder.

Gender identify disorder may be confused with homosexuality, but they are two different things.
The cause is unknown. It could be developed while in the mother’s womb, dye to hereditary
genes, social or other factors. A person may feel uncomfortable with his or her gender and may
act or think as someone from the opposite sex.

PERSONALITY DISORDERS
1. Personality disorders are a group of mental illnesses. They involve long-term patterns of
thoughts and behaviors that are unhealthy and inflexible. The behaviors cause serious problems
with relationships and work. People with personality disorders have trouble dealing with
everyday stresses and problems. They often have stormy relationships with other people. The
cause of personality disorders is unknown. However, genes and childhood experiences may
play a role.

2. If someone could be described as “living on an emotional roller coaster,” acting impulsively,

suffering from extreme emotions or displaying harmful behavior to themselves Silver Hill’s
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Program may be able to help. At the heart of this is an
extended-stay Transitional Living Program where patients live on the Silver Hill campus while
undergoing treatment. It is one of the very few such programs of its kind available in the United
States. Inpatient treatment is the first step. Afterwards the Transitional Living Program or,
possibly, Intensive Outpatient Program treatment may be considered.

Antisocial personality disorder

1. Everyone feels antisocial sometimes, but people with Antisocial Personality Disorder have an
almost impossible time respecting or connecting with other people. Antisocial personality
disorder is a psychiatric condition in which a person manipulates, exploits, or violates the rights
of others. This behavior is often criminal. One of the biggest signs of Antisocial Personality
Disorder is a persuasive disregard for right and wrong, and for society's norms. As such, people
with this disorder often engage in criminal activity, resulting in frequent run-ins with the law. A
person with antisocial personality disorder often lies, steals and causes fights with others.
Another facet of Antisocial Personality Disorder is a blatant disregard for the rights and feelings
of other people, which often manifests not only as lies, but also as deceit, often coupled with
intimidation of others. Violent and aggressive behavior is typical.

2. Antisocial Personality Disorder is a mental illness. A person with antisocial personality

disorder often lies, steals and causes fights with others. Another facet of Antisocial Personality
Disorder is a blatant disregard for the rights and feelings of other people, which often manifests
not only as lies, but also as deceit, often coupled with intimidation of others. Violent and
aggressive behavior is typical. Often, a person with this disorder does not show any guilt for
their actions. It's not surprising that it's almost impossible for someone with Antisocial
Personality Disorder to engage in real intimacy with another person. Despite this, people

3. It is a common misconception that antisocial personality disorder is nothing more than an

aversion to social situations or perhaps an extreme awkwardness in social settings, however,
antisocial personality disorder is quite serious. According to the American Psychiatric
Association (APA), those who are diagnosed as having an antisocial personality tend to be,
“manipulative, volatile, disruptive and often engage in aggressive, impulsive ‘acting out’
behaviors, which may include assaults on others, self-mutilation and sometimes suicide
attempts.” A pattern of disruptive behavior can be apparent in a person as young as the age of
15, however, an individual cannot be clinically diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder
until they are 18-years-old.

Antisocial personality disorder is a serious mental disorder. It is a behavior where the individual
gets involved in activities such as deceiving, stealing, manipulating, self-harm, sometimes
suicide attempts. They are disruptive and aggressive and don’t have a clear idea of what is
right or wrong, or I they do, they don’t care. It can be detected in a person as young as 15
years of age.
 Avoidant

1. Avoidant personality disorder is one of several personality disorders. It is characterized by

marked avoidance of both social situations and close interpersonal relationships due to an
excessive fear of rejection by others. Persons with this disorder exhibit feelings of inadequacy,
low self-esteem, and mistrust toward others. The cause is not clear, but there are some factors
that could contribute to it, such as social, genetic and biological factors.

2. The behavior of people with avoidant personality disorder is characterized by social

withdrawal, shyness, distrustfulness, and emotional distance. These people tend to be very
cautious when they speak, and they convey a general impression of awkwardness in their
manner. Most are highly self-conscious and self-critical about their problems relating to others.
This disorder appears from childhood where the child has signs of shyness and fear to confront
other people or new situations.

3. People who are diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder desire to be in relationships
with others but lack the skills and confidence that are necessary in social interactions. In order
to protect themselves from anticipated criticism or ridicule, they withdraw from other people.
This avoidance of interaction tends to isolate them from meaningful relationships, and serves to
reinforce their nervousness and awkwardness in social situations.

Avoidant personality is another mental disorder where the individual is afraid to confront new
people or new situations and is self-conscious of being criticized or ridiculed. During childhood,
they may show signs of shyness, awkwardness, insecurity, or nervousness. They may isolate
themselves from relationships.

Borderline

1. Borderlines have extreme and illogical sensitivities, sometimes connecting the most minute
observations with their intense fears that you'll abandon them. Borderlines sometimes respond
to these fears by becoming despondent; while at other times they may react like narcissists,
doing anything, including brutalizing their own family, to erase a suggestion that they might be
flawed. Borderlines move through cycles lasting days or weeks that include periods of
despondence, anger, and calm. If you see this dynamic in your partner, family member,
coworker, or friend, you are very probably dealing with a borderline

2. People who suffer from borderline personality disorder have extreme emotions, which lead
them to actions that can range from puzzling to brutal. (People with narcissistic personality
disorder, antisocial personality disorder/sociopathy, or alcoholism also exhibit this trait.)

3. Borderline personality disorder is a "popular" disease. The most common misunderstanding

is that people who think their significant other has BPD when in reality the problems they face
are more narcissistic. "Borderlines" cope poorly, falling into despondence, suicide, substance
abuse, and despair. These same people, at other times, will build a functioning narcissistic
defense. They fear that others can see their flaws.

Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized impulsive actions, unstable moods and chaotic
relationships. A person with Borderline Personality Disorder, or BPD, may experience intense
bouts of anger, depression, and anxiety that may last only hours, or at most a day. These
distortions in thinking and sense of self can lead to frequent changes in long-term goals, career
plans, jobs, friendships, gender identity, and values. These may be associated with episodes of
impulsive aggression, self-injury, and drug or alcohol abuse. Sometimes people with BPD view
themselves as fundamentally bad, or unworthy.

SOURCES
www.mayoclinic.com/.../DS00272/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all 
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/phobias.html ‐ Health Topics 
http://www.webmd.com/mental‐health/mental‐health‐types‐illness 
http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/publications/thefacts.aspx 
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help‐information/mental‐health‐statistics/common‐mental‐health‐
problems/