ILLNESS ANXIETY DISORDER

ILLNESS

Illness anxiety disorder (previously called hypochondriasis, a term that has been abandoned because of its pejorative connotation) most commonly begins during early adulthood and appears to occur equally among men and women. The patient’s fears may derive from misinterpreting nonpathologic physical symptoms or normal bodily functions (eg, borborygmi, abdominal bloating and crampy discomfort, awareness of … Read more

IMPULSE CONTROL DISORDER

impulse

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) are common psychiatric conditions in which affected individuals typically report significant impairment in social and occupational functioning, and may incur legal and financial difficulties as well. Despite evidence of ICDs being fairly common, they remain poorly understood by the general public, clinicians, and persons with the disorders. Pharmacotherapy studies, although limited, … Read more

PSYCHOTIC DISORDER

psychotic2

Psychotic disorders are severe mental disorders that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions. People with psychoses lose touch with reality. Two of the main symptoms are delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are false beliefs, such as thinking that someone is plotting against you or that the TV is sending you secret messages. Hallucinations are false perceptions, such … Read more

AUTONOMIC DISORDER

autonomic

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls several basic functions, including: heart rate body temperature breathing rate digestion sensation You don’t have to think consciously about these systems for them to work. The ANS provides the connection between your brain and certain body parts, including internal organs. For instance, it connects to your heart, liver, sweat … Read more

Seizure disorder

SEIZURE

A seizure and a seizure disorder are not the same. A seizure is single occurrence of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain, usually for short time span. It can cause numerous signs and symptoms like convulsions, thought disturbances, loss of consciousness, and/or other symptoms. Usually, doctors consider seizures a symptom of a disease. Epilepsy is … Read more

Myeloproliferative neoplasm

myeloproliferative disorders

Myeloproliferative Neoplasm The myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), previously myeloproliferative diseases (MPDs), are a group of diseases of the bone marrow in which excess cells are produced. They are related to and may evolve into, myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, although the myeloproliferative diseases, on the whole, have a much better prognosis than these conditions. The … Read more

RUMINATION DISORDER

ruminationdis

Overview Rumination syndrome is a condition in which people repeatedly and unintentionally spit up (regurgitate) undigested or partially digested food from the stomach, rechew it, and then either reswallow it or spit it out. Because the food hasn’t yet been digested, it reportedly tastes normal and isn’t acidic, as vomit is. Rumination typically happens at … Read more

Periodic limb movement disorder

periodic limb movement disorder

OVERVIEW Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is a condition that was formerly called sleep myoclonus or nocturnal myoclonus. It is described as repetitive limb movements that occur during sleep and cause sleep disruption. The limb movements usually involve the lower extremities, consisting of an extension of the big toe and flexion of the ankle, the … Read more

EXCORIATION DISORDER

excoriation disorder3

Excoriation disorder (also referred to as chronic skin-picking or dermatillomania) is a mental illness related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is characterized by repeated picking at one’s own skin which results in skin lesions and causes significant disruption in one’s life. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic and long-lasting disorder in which a person has … Read more