Anxiety disorder is an umbrella term that covers forms of irregular, pathological and nervous conditions that interfere with the daily lives of those who suffer from them. Types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, phobias, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety and exposure anxiety. Anxiety disorders can be triggered by a traumatic event or may have been present from early childhood. Diagnosis is usually made after expert assessment that uses a standardized interview and observation. Treatment options range from behavioral therapy, lifestyle changers and medication. Remedy drugs include mostly benzodiazepines and antidepressants.
Autism is a developmental disability that interferes with a child's ability to interact socially, communicate, develop interests, and participate in activities. A disorder of the human central nervous system is believed to cause autism, but specific causes are unknown and highly debated. Autism appears before the age of three and signs include delayed development of language skills, the placing of hands on the ears and staring into space. Autism appears in two types; Asperger syndrome and Autistic spectrum. The difference lies in that Asperger syndrome includes delayed social interaction, language, or imaginative play within its definition. Applied Behavioral Analysis is the one therapy that has been proven to have an effect in the treatment of autism.
Depression disorders are among the most common psychological illnesses in the country, affecting over 17 million Americans every year. For sufferers, normal life is impossible. Types of depression include Major depression, Dysthymic disorder, unspecified depression, Bipolar depression, Unipolar depression and Manic depression. Also, types of depression can be coupled with Adjustment disorders. Some types of depression occur within families, however, depression can also be caused by environmental or social factors. Chemical imbalances in the brain are the main causes of depression. Antidepressants such as Tricyclic drugs and SSRIS are usually prescribed along with psychotherapy in order to treat depression disorders.
Eating disorders involve an unyielding urge to control eating habits that leads to physical, mental and psychological problems. The most common types of eating disorders include Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa and Bing eating disorder. These disorders usually become apparent within young teen girls but can manifest in boys and adults as well. Signs of eating disorders include obsessions with calories and weight. The emphasis society places on images of beauty can also contribute to the development of these disorders. Also, eating disorders often occur in combination with one or more mood disorders such as severe mental depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.
Neurological disorders are so numerous and variant from one another that it is difficult to define them under one blanket statement. Many well known disorders include Epilepsy, Huntington's Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer's Disease. Other less well known neurological disorders may include sleep disorders, phobias, and autism. What all neurological disorders have in common is that they inhibit certain aspects of a normal life. Without treatment, many neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's worsen and eventually deteriorate the body to a point of no return. There is no cure for the fatal Huntington's disease however, therapy and hypnotism have been known to help phobias and Epilepsy.
Personality disorder is characterized by inflexible patterns of thought and action that inhibit normal daily life. Personality disorders include Paranoid personality disorders, Schizoid personality disorder, Schizotypal personality disorder, Antisocial personality disorder, Borderline personality disorder and Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. These disorders often manifest during early adulthood but can become present in adolescence. Diagnostic criteria include observations such as behavior that is strikingly variant from an individual's cultural background, the pattern of behavior is rigid and controls the individual, the pattern leads to stress and the impairment of normal activities, and the pattern persists over a duration of time and is not caused by substance abuse. Treatments vary from therapy to medications.
Sexual disorders are associated with a specific phase or the sexual response cycle. This umbrella term includes problems linked to sexual identity, sexual performance, and sexual endeavors. In order for a sexual disorder to be diagnosed as thus, it has to cause obvious distress and interpersonal tribulations. Some sexual disorders include Paraphilias, Frotteurism, Vaginismus, Female Orgasmic Disorder, Sexual Sadism, Transvestic Fetishism, Gender Identity Disorder and Male Orgasmic Disorder. Since sexuality is so complex, many disorders are not classifiable and hence are placed in the Sexual Disorder NOS category. Sometimes sexual disorders can cause and lead to anxiety and stress. Treatments include behavioral psychotherapy and physical therapy.
Sleep disorders involve abnormal patterns of sleep that interfere with mental and emotional function. Causes of sleep disorders may include back pain, sciatica, neck pains, chronic pain in joints or muscles, environmental noise, incontinence, stress, and medications that can disrupt the sleep cycle. Types of sleep disorders range from Dysomnias; which include Insomnia and Narcolepsy, Parasomnias; which include sleep terrors, and disorders which may contribute or produce the sleep disorder such as mood disorders or anxiety. Treatment for sleep disorders often involves three groups of categories: behavioral treatments, medication and other physical treatments. The treatment depends heavily on the diagnosis.