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2.8 Other Common Disorders

2.8 Other Common Disorders

Owned by Barry Smith
Dec 29, 2024
3 min read

Substance-Related Disorders

Substance-related disorders stem from the use of alcohol, drugs, medication side effects, or toxin exposure. These include abuse of substances such as alcohol, amphetamines, caffeine, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, nicotine, opiates, phencyclidines, sedatives, or anxiolytics. When a precise cause is unknown, "unknown" or "other" classifications may apply.

Alcohol Abuse

Defined by maladaptive patterns leading to significant impairment or distress, symptoms (within 12 months) include:

  1. Failure to meet role obligations (e.g., work or home neglect).

  2. Use in hazardous situations (e.g., driving).

  3. Legal problems (e.g., alcohol-related arrests).

  4. Social or interpersonal issues (e.g., fights).

Substance Abuse vs. Substance Dependence

  • Substance Abuse: Continued use despite negative consequences. Symptoms include role failures, interpersonal issues, and maladaptive behaviors.

  • Substance Dependence: Builds on Substance Abuse with tolerance (requiring more substance for the same effect) and withdrawal (physical or emotional symptoms upon cessation).

Mental Health Disorders

Schizophrenia

  • Symptoms: False beliefs, disorganized thinking, auditory hallucinations, emotional detachment, and lack of motivation.

  • Onset: Gradual, usually in young adulthood, with long-term effects.

Anxiety Disorders

  1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Excessive, uncontrollable worry lasting ≥ 6 months about everyday matters.

  2. Panic Disorder: Intense panic attacks with symptoms like pounding heart, dizziness, and fear of losing control.

  3. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Persistent obsessions (intrusive thoughts) or compulsions (rituals to reduce distress).

  4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Symptoms following trauma lasting >1 month, including intrusive memories, emotional numbing, and heightened arousal.

Mood Disorders

  1. Major Depressive Disorder: Severe symptoms (e.g., sadness, hopelessness, and lack of motivation) impacting daily life. Twice as common in females post-adolescence.

  2. Dysthymic Disorder: Chronic depression lasting ≥ 2 years, less severe than Major Depression but persistent.

Treatment Notes

  1. Anxiety Disorders: Respond to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and in vivo desensitization.

  2. Depression: Treatment goals include mood stabilization, coping skills, and relapse prevention. Medications like antidepressants increase neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin).

  3. PTSD: Focuses on processing trauma, reducing intrusive memories, and improving emotional regulation.

By understanding symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and treatment approaches, clinicians can effectively address substance-related and mental health disorders.

 

Bipolar Disorder

  • Definition: A major mood disorder with alternating periods of depression and mania.

  • Key Features:

    • Mania severe enough to impair functioning is required for Bipolar I.

    • 90% of cases involve depression; 20% of manic episodes include hallucinations/delusions.

    • Severe mania may resemble organic delirium.

    • Manic episodes develop over days, and cycling between depression and mania can occur.

  • Bipolar Types:

    • Bipolar I: Full manic episodes required.

    • Bipolar II: Major depression with hypomania but no full manic episodes.

  • Genetics: 70% concordance in identical twins; potential chromosome 11 abnormality.

  • Risks: Suicide during depressive episodes; legal or substance issues during mania.

Conversion Disorder (CD)

  • Definition: A somatoform disorder causing neurological symptoms (e.g., paralysis, blindness) without a physical cause, often triggered by psychological stress.

  • Symptoms: Distress-inducing, inconsistent with organic causes, linked to mental health conditions like depression.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

  • Definition: A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity inappropriate for age.

  • Key Features:

    • Symptoms appear before age 12, last over 6 months, and impair functioning in multiple settings.

    • Adults: Present differently (e.g., restlessness, impulsivity, substance abuse).

    • Diagnosis considers childhood behavior and family history.

Specific Learning Disorder (SLD)

  • Definition: Impairments in acquiring, organizing, or using verbal/non-verbal information despite average cognitive abilities.

  • Types:

    • Dyslexia: Reading-related difficulties (e.g., decoding, fluency, spelling).

    • Dyscalculia: Math-related challenges (e.g., calculations, counting money, mental math).

    • Dysgraphia: Writing-related problems (e.g., handwriting, organizing thoughts, grammar).

Tourette Syndrome

  • Definition: A chronic movement disorder with motor and vocal tics.

  • Onset: Ages 2–15; symptoms fluctuate over time.

  • Tics:

    • Motor Tics:

      • Simple: Rapid, meaningless movements (e.g., eye blinking, shoulder shrugging).

      • Complex: Slower, purposeful-appearing but involuntary (e.g., hopping, touching objects).

    • Vocal Tics:

      • Simple: Short sounds (e.g., coughing, barking).

      • Complex: Recognizable words/phrases (e.g., “Shut up”) or obscene outbursts (coprolalia).

    • Sensory Tics: Odd sensations leading to motor tics.