Common Diagnoses
Anxiety
Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).
There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and various phobia-related disorders.
Depression
Some feelings of sadness or fluctuations in mood are normal parts of the human experience. However, there are times when one’s mood can begin to interfere with daily life.
Depression is one example of what is known as a "mood disorder." This condition includes feelings of sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness that do not go away on their own. It is common for people who are depressed to lose interest or have difficulty participating in many important aspects of life, including work, school, friendships, family, sex, and social relationships.
To make things more complicated, depression can be difficult to understand and discuss, especially with friends and family. Those experiencing depression might feel lost, isolated, or worried about judgment from their peers. It is important to remember that depression is a real illness that warrants treatment and that managing it is possible. When left unsupported, depression carries a high risk of significant disability and/or death by suicide.
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Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances, such as:
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Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia)
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Psychotic depression
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.
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Inattention means a person wanders off task, lacks persistence, has difficulty sustaining focus, and is disorganized; and these problems are not due to defiance or lack of comprehension.
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Hyperactivity means a person seems to move about constantly, including in situations in which it is not appropriate; or excessively fidgets, taps, or talks. In adults, it may be extreme restlessness or wearing others out with constant activity.
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Impulsivity means a person makes hasty actions that occur in the moment without first thinking about them and that may have a high potential for harm, or a desire for immediate rewards or inability to delay gratification. An impulsive person may be socially intrusive and excessively interrupt others or make important decisions without considering the long-term consequences.
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Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Oppositional Defiance Disorder is characterized by persistent and regular defiance, vindictiveness, irritability, et cetera. It can be a scary diagnosis for both for the parents as well as the child, but it does not have to be. Continue reading for everything you need to know about this condition, including its symptoms, potential causes and risk factors, how it is diagnosed, available treatment options, and complications.
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Trauma
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.
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It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a typical reaction meant to protect a person from harm. Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, yet most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened, even when they are not in danger.
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