Tag Archive

Bullying isn’t just traumatic in childhood, though, and it’s not a passing phase. Research shows bullying and harassment can cause adult symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).3 In fact, one study examining mental health in college students found experiencing bullying to be the strongest predictor of developing PTSD symptoms. This surpassed physical abuse, neglect, and […]

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has attempted to formulate the diagnostic criteria for the various mental health disorders according to a disease model specification using the same type of approach that physical diseases are diagnosed with. This approach has generated criticism from numerous sources, but APA continues to attempt to present the various forms of […]

Catatonia is a condition that has been described since the 16th century and was most often associated with the psychotic disorder schizophrenia. However, the schizophrenia subtype catatonic schizophrenia has been eliminated from the current diagnostic manual used by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the DSM-5. Catatonia is now listed in the category of schizophrenia spectrum […]

The major feature of schizoaffective disorder is an uninterrupted period of time where the individual expresses both the features of a major mood disorder (major depression or manic behavior) along with the mandatory symptoms associated with schizophrenia (hallucinations, delusions, and/or disorganized speech). The diagnostic criteria for schizoaffective disorder that are presented by the American Psychiatric […]

The characteristic feature of schizophreniform disorder is that it is a time-limited condition that can only last between one month and six months. When the psychotic symptoms last more than one day but less than one month, the individual would receive a diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder. Otherwise, the symptoms of schizophreniform disorder are identical […]

By definition, brief psychotic disorder involves a sudden onset of psychotic behavior and lasts less than one month with the person returning to their full functioning. The disorder can last from less than a day to less than one month, but its duration cannot extend beyond 30 days. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) does report […]

Psychotic disorders can account for some of the most well-known, infamous, and misunderstood mental health conditions. They can be debilitating for patients and scary for those who do not know how the disorders work. As complex as the conditions are, the possibility of drug addiction introduces new questions. This guide looks at the chances of […]

The central nervous system is a delicate and complex mechanism, and disruptions to the functioning of the CNS are collectively known as neurodevelopmental disorders. The conditions that fall under this umbrella range from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, to dyslexia, to autism spectrum disorder. Issues of neurodevelopmental disorders and drug abuse concern to what degree the […]

According to the Learning Disabilities Association of America, there are seven identified types of learning disorders. In addition, there are several related conditions that are not specifically categorized as learning disorders, but which can cause learning difficulties. This is a long list of intellectual and information-processing challenges, any one of which can cause significant difficulties […]

What Is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a more involved form of PTSD that may occur in people who repeatedly experience trauma. In addition to feeling many of the same things as people with PTSD, those with complex PTSD (CPTSD) may experience changes in how they respond to stress or […]