Ch.10 Nervous System Flashcards
cerebr/o, encephal/o
Brain
myel/o
Spinal Cord
neur/i, neur/o
Nerves
caus/o
Burning or burn
cerebr/o
Cerebrum or brain
Menning/o
Meninges( spinal cord covering
Dur/o
Dura meter
Encephal/o
Brain
Thalam/o
Thalamus
Cephal/o
Head
Crani/o
Cranium/skull
Electr/o
Electrical
Kinesi/o
Movement
Plegia-
paralysis
Paresis
slight paralysis
phasia
speak
-taxia
coordination
Malacia
abnormal softening
Graph-
Used to record
concuss/o
Shaken together or violently agitated
contus/o
Bruise
encephal/o
Brain
esthesia
Sensation or feeling.
esthet/o
esthet/o
-graphy
Process of producing a picture or record
phobia
Abnormal fear.
psych/o
Mind.
radicul/o
Root or nerve root
tropic
Having an affinity for
acrophobia
An excessive fear of heights
Alzheimer’s disease
group of disorders involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. It is the leading cause of dementia and is marked by progressive deterioration that affects memory and reasoning capabilities
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
rapidly progressive neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles, resulting in complete paralysis and death; also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
anesthetic
Medication used to induce anesthesia
anesthetist
medical professional who specializes in administering anesthesia but is not a physician
anorexia nervosa
false perception of body appearance which leads to an intense fear of gaining weight and inability to maintain a healthy body weight.
anxiety disorders
Mental conditions characterized by excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations or fear that is out of proportion to the real danger in a situation
autism
A subgroup of autistic spectrum disorders. Children with autism have significant developmental delays, including speech and language, with most having very minimal verbal skills and lacking normal social relationships
Bell’s palsy
Temporary paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve that causes paralysis only on the affected side of the face
carotid ultrasonography
ultrasound study of the carotid artery to detect plaque buildup in the artery to predict or diagnose an ischemic stroke
causalgia
Persistent, severe burning pain that usually follows an injury to a sensory nerve
cerebral contusion
Bruising of brain tissue as a result of a head injury that causes the brain to bounce against the rigid bone of the skull
cerebral palsy
A condition characterized by poor muscle control, spasticity, speech defects, and other neurologic deficiencies
cerebrovascular accident
Damage to the brain that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is disrupted; also known as a stroke
cervical radiculopathy
Nerve pain caused by pressure on the spinal nerve roots in the neck region
claustrophobia
abnormal fear of being in small or enclosed spaces
cognition
mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory
coma
deep state of unconsciousness marked by the absence of spontaneous eye movement, no response to painful stimuli, and the lack of speech
concussion
violent shaking up or jarring of the brain that may result in a temporary loss of awareness and function
cranial hematoma
collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the brain
delirium
acute condition of confusion, disorientation, disordered thinking and memory, agitation, and hallucinations
delirium tremens
disorder involving sudden and severe mental changes or seizures caused by abruptly stopping the use of alcohol
delusion
false personal belief that is maintained despite obvious proof or evidence to the contrary
dementia
slowly progressive decline in mental abilities–including memory, thinking, and judgment–that is often accompanied by personality changes
dura mater
thick, tough, outermost membrane of the meninges
dyslexia
learning disability characterized by substandard reading achievement due to the inability of the brain to process symbols; also known as a developmental reading disorder
echoencephalography
use of ultrasound imaging to create a detailed visual image of the brain for diagnostic purposes
electroencephalography
process of recording the electrical activity of the brain through the use of electrodes attached to the scalp
encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain.
epidural anesthesia
Regional anesthesia produced by injecting a local anesthetic into the epidural space of the lumbar or sacral region of the spine
epilepsy
chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent episodes of seizures of varying severities
factitious disorder
condition in which a person acts as if he or she has a physical or mental illness when he or she is not really sick
Guillain–Barré syndrome
Inflammation of the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves, characterized by rapidly worsening muscle weakness that may lead to temporary paralysis; also known as infectious polyneuritis
hallucination
sensory perception (sight, touch, sound, smell, or taste) experienced in the absence of an external stimulation
hemorrhagic stroke
Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures; also known as a bleed
hydrocephalus
condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the ventricles of the brain
hyperesthesia
condition of abnormal and excessive sensitivity to touch, pain, or other sensory stimuli
ischemic stroke
type of stroke that occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked by the narrowing or blockage of a carotid artery
lethargy
lowered level of consciousness marked by listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy
meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord
meningocele
congenital herniation of the meninges that surround the brain or spinal cord through a defect in the skull or spinal column
migraine headache
headache that is characterized by throbbing pain on one side of the head and is sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound
multiple sclerosis
progressive autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation that causes demyelination of the myelin sheath, resulting in scarring of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves
myelitis
Inflammation of the spinal cord; also inflammation of bone marrow
myelography
radiographic study of the spinal cord after the injection of a contrast medium through a lumbar puncture
narcolepsy
sleep disorder consisting of sudden and uncontrollable brief episodes of falling asleep during the day
neurotransmitters
Chemical substances that make it possible for messages to cross from the synapse of a neuron to the target receptor
obsessive-compulsive disorder
anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent thoughts or impulses that are repetitive, intrusive, and distressing
panic attack
An unexpected, sudden experience of fear in the absence of danger, accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, sweating, nausea, feelings of unreality, and/or choking sensations
paresthesia
burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body
Parkinson’s disease
chronic, degenerative central nervous system disorder characterized by fine muscle tremors, rigidity, and a slow or shuffling gait caused by inadequate levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain
peripheral neuropathy
disorder of the peripheral nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord, producing pain, the loss of sensation, and the inability to control muscles
post-traumatic stress disorder
disorder that may develop after an event involving actual or threatened death or injury to the individual or someone else, during which the person felt intense fear, helplessness, or horror with symptoms including emotional numbing, hyperarousal, anxiety, sleep disorders, and persistent reliving of the event
Reye’s syndrome
potentially serious or deadly disorder in children that is characterized by vomiting and confusion; sometimes follows a viral illness in which the child was treated with aspirin
schizophrenia
psychotic disorder usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions and hallucinations, and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances
sciatica
Inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
seizure
sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that affects how a person feels or acts for a short time
shaken baby syndrome
results when a child has been violently shaken by someone; can cause brain injury, blindness, fractures, seizures, paralysis, and death.
syncope
brief loss of consciousness caused by the decreased flow of blood to the brain; also known as fainting
trigeminal neuralgia
condition characterized by severe lightning-like pain due to an inflammation of the fifth cranial nerve; affects the cheek, lips, and gums on the side of the face innervated by the affected nerve
AD
Alzheimer’s disease
ALS
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
ADHD
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
CP
cerebral palsy
EEG
electroencephalography
ICP
intracranial pressure
LOC
loss of consciousness/levels of consciousness
LP
lumbar puncture
MS
multiple sclerosis
OCD
obsessive-compulsive disorder
PTSD
post-traumatic stress disorder
SZ
seizure
TIA
transient ischemic attack
Cephalalgia
also known as a headache, is pain in the head
migraine headache
which may be preceded by a warning aura, is characterized by throbbing pain on one side of the head. Migraine headaches primarily affect women and are sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.
Cluster headaches
are intensely painful headaches that affect one side of the head and may be associated with tearing of the eyes and nasal congestion
encephalocele
also known as a craniocele, is a congenital herniation of brain tissue through a gap in the skull
meningocele
he congenital herniation of the meninges through a defect in the skull or spinal column
Hydrocephalus
a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the ventricles of the brain
meningioma
a common, slow-growing, and usually benign tumor of the meninges
Meningitis
also referred to as infectious meningitis, is an inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord
Dementia
a slowly progressive decline in mental abilities, including memory, thinking, and judgment, that is often accompanied by personality changes. Senile dementia is dementia of the aged. Sundowning refers to a group of symptoms leading to a state of confusion that can happen towards the end of the day in patients with dementia
Vascular dementia
form of dementia caused by a stroke or other restriction of the flow of blood to the brain. Although Alzheimer’s disease is the primary cause of dementia, vascular dementia accounts for about 10 to 20% of all cases
Encephalitis
which is an inflammation of the brain, can be caused by a viral infection such as rabies
Reye’s syndrome
a serious and potentially deadly disorder in children that is characterized by vomiting and confusion. This syndrome sometimes follows a viral illness in which the child was treated with aspirin
Tetanus
also known as lockjaw, is an acute and potentially fatal infection of the central nervous system caused by a toxin produced by the tetanus bacteria. Tetanus can be prevented through immunization. In unimmunized people, this condition is typically acquired through a deep puncture wound
Tourette syndrome
a complex neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics, grunts, and compulsive utterances that sometimes include obscenities
neurodegenerative disease
also called degenerative nerve disease, is an umbrella term for disorders in which there is a progressive loss of the structure or functions of the neurons
Alzheimer’s disease
a group of disorders involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language (Figure 10.9). It is the leading form of dementia and is marked by progressive deterioration that affects both the memory and reasoning capabilities of an individual
Huntington’s disease
a genetic disorder that is classified as a neurodegenerative disease
Parkinson’s disease
a chronic, degenerative central nervous disorder characterized by fine muscle tremors, rigidity, and a slow or shuffling gait. Gait describes the manner of walking. This slow or shuffling gait is caused by gradual progressive loss of control over movements due to inadequate levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain
Lewy body dementia
which is the second most common type of dementia, occurs when abnormal proteins interfere with cell function in the brain. It is named after neurologist Frederic Lewy
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly progressive neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. Patients affected with this condition become progressively weaker until they are completely paralyzed and die
Amnesia
a memory disturbance characterized by a total or partial inability to recall past experiences. This condition can be caused by a brain injury, illness, or a psychological disturbance
concussion
a violent shaking up or jarring of the brain (concuss means shaken together, and -ion means condition or state of). A concussion may result in a temporary loss of awareness and function. Compare with a cerebral contusion
cerebral contusion
the bruising of brain tissue as the result of a head injury that causes the brain to bounce against the rigid bone of the skull Compare with concussion
cranial hematoma
a collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the brain. Named for their location, the types of cranial hematomas include an epidural hematoma located above the dura mater, or a subdural hematoma, which is located below the dura mater (Figure 10.10). Cranial hematomas may be caused by a major or minor head injury
traumatic brain injury
a blow to the head or a penetrating head injury that damages the brain. Not all blows to the head result in damage to the brain. When an injury does occur, it can range from mild, with only a brief change in mental status, to severe, with longer-lasting effects
Levels of consciousness
describe the measurement of response to arousal and stimulus. Altered levels of consciousness
conscious
the state of being awake, alert, aware, and responding appropriately
unconscious
a state of being unaware and unable to respond to any stimuli, including pain
Lethargy
a lowered level of consciousness marked by listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy. As used here, apathy means indifference and a reduced level of activity. The term lethargic refers to a person who is at this level of consciousness
stupor
an unresponsive state from which a person can be aroused only briefly despite vigorous, repeated attempts
Syncope
also known as fainting, is the brief loss of consciousness caused by the decreased flow of blood to the brain
coma
a profound (deep) state of unconsciousness marked by the absence of spontaneous eye movements, no response to painful stimuli, and the lack of speech. The term comatose refers to a person who is in a coma
persistent vegetative state
type of coma in which the patient exhibits alternating sleep and wake cycles; however, due to severe damage to certain areas of the brain, the person is unconscious even when appearing to be awake
Delirium
an acute condition of confusion, disorientation, disordered thinking and memory, agitation, and hallucinations
malignant brain tumor
estroys brain tissue. When this cancer originates in the brain, it is considered to be the primary site. If this cancer metastasizes (spreads) to the brain from another body system, it is considered to be a secondary site
benign brain tumor
does not invade the brain tissue; however, because this growth is surrounded by rigid bone, as the tumor enlarges, it can damage the brain tissue by placing pressure against the tissues and by increasing the intracranial pressure
Intracranial pressure
the amount of pressure inside the skull (intra- means within, crani means cranium, and -al means pertaining to). Elevated intracranial pressure can be due to a tumor, an injury, or improper drainage of cerebrospinal fluid
cerebrovascular accident
CVA is damage to the brain that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is disrupted because a blood vessel is either blocked or has ruptured. Strokes are currently the third-leading cause of death and the primary cause of long-term disability
Facial droop
one side of the face droops or does not move equally when the person smiles
Arm drift
weakness on one side of the body, demonstrated by one arm drifting down when both arms are extended
Speech abnormality
slurred speech, using the wrong words, or unable to speak
Time
if any of the signs are present, immediate conveyance to the emergency room is essential for critical treatments such as thrombolytics
ischemic stroke
which is the most common type of stroke in older people, occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked by the narrowing or blockage of a carotid artery. Ischemic means pertaining to the disruption of the blood supply
transient ischemic attack
sometimes referred to as a mini-stroke, is the temporary interruption in the blood supply to the brain. Transient means passing quickly. Symptoms of a TIA include numbness, blurred vision, dizziness, or loss of balance.
Aphasia
which is often caused by brain damage associated with a stroke, is the loss of the ability to speak, write, and/or comprehend the written or spoken word
A hemorrhagic stroke
also known as a bleed, occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks. A bleed also occurs when an aneurysm within the brain ruptures. An aneurysm is a localized, weak, balloon-like enlargement of an artery wall
Arteriovenous malformation
one of the causes of hemorrhagic strokes. This abnormal connection between the arteries and veins in the brain is usually congenital and can rupture suddenly at any age
Insomnia
the prolonged or abnormal inability to sleep. This condition is usually a symptom of another problem such as depression, pain, or excessive caffeine
Narcolepsy
a sleep disorder consisting of sudden and uncontrollable brief episodes of falling asleep during the day
Sleep deprivation
a sufficient lack of restorative sleep over a cumulative period so as to cause physical or psychiatric symptoms and affect routine performance or tasks
Somnambulism
the condition of walking or performing some other activity without awakening
Myelitis
an inflammation of the spinal cord
myelosis
a tumor of the spinal cord
Poliomyelitis
also known as polio, is a highly contagious viral infection of the brainstem and spinal cord that sometimes leads to paralysis
Post-polio syndrome
the recurrence later in life of some polio symptoms in individuals who have had childhood poliomyelitis and have recovered from it
Radiculitis
pinched nerve, is an inflammation of the root of a spinal nerve that causes pain and numbness radiating down the affected limb
Cervical radiculopathy
nerve pain caused by pressure on the spinal nerve roots in the neck region
Lumbar radiculopathy
nerve pain in the lower back caused by muscle spasms or nerve root irritation from the compression of vertebral disks such as a herniated disk
Multiple sclerosis
a progressive autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation that causes demyelination of the myelin sheath. This scars the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves and disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses. This damage leaves the patient with varying degrees of pain plus physical and cognitive problems
Demyelination
the loss of patches of the protective myelin sheath
Guillain–Barré syndrome
also known as infectious polyneuritis, is an inflammation of the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves, characterized by rapidly worsening muscle weakness that can lead to temporary paralysis
Neuritis
an inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function
Sciatica
inflammation of the sciatic nerve (Figure 10.8A) that results in pain, burning, and tingling along the course of the affected nerve through the thigh, leg, and sometimes into the foot
Trigeminal neuralgia
is characterized by severe, lightning-like pain due to an inflammation of the fifth cranial nerve
Epilepsy
chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent episodes of seizures of varying severity. Also known as a seizure disorder
seizure
a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that affects how a person feels or acts for a short time. Some seizures can hardly be noticed, whereas others cause a brief loss of consciousness
tonic– clonic seizure
grand mal seizure, involves the entire body. In the tonic phase of the seizure, the body becomes rigid, and in the clonic phase, there is uncontrolled jerking
absence seizure
also called a petit mal seizure, is a brief disturbance in brain function in which there is a loss of awareness often described as a staring episode
Causalgia
persistent, severe burning pain that usually follows an injury to a sensory nerve
Hyperesthesia
a condition of abnormal and excessive sensitivity to touch, pain, or other sensory stimuli
Paresthesia
refers to a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet but can also occur in other parts of the body
Peripheral neuropathy
a disorder of the peripheral nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord
Neuropathy
is any disease or damage to a nerve
Mononeuropathy
damage to a singular peripheral nerve, as in carpal tunnel syndrome
Polyneuropathy
when multiple peripheral nerves are damaged. Diabetes is a common cause of polyneuropathy, along with trauma, vitamin deficiencies, and alcoholism
Restless legs syndrome
a neurological disorder characterized by uncomfortable feelings in the legs, producing a strong urge to move them
functional MRI
detects changes in blood flow in the brain when the patient is asked to perform a specific task. This gives a clearer picture of the brain tissue relevant to accomplishing this task
Carotid ultrasonography
an ultrasound study of the carotid artery
Echoencephalography
he use of ultrasound imaging to create a detailed visual image of the brain for diagnostic purposes
Electroencephalography
he process of recording the electrical activity of the brain through the use of electrodes attached to the scalp
Myelography
a radiographic study of the spinal cord after the injection of a contrast medium through a lumbar puncture
Electromyography
utilizes electrodes taped to the skin to measure the transfer of electrical signals in peripheral nerves to the muscles
lumbar puncture
also known as a spinal tap, is the process of obtaining a sample of cerebrospinal fluid by inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region to withdraw fluid. Changes in the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid can be an indication of injury, infection, or disease
hypnotic
depresses the central nervous system and usually produces sleep
anticonvulsant
administered to prevent seizures such as those associated with epilepsy
Barbiturates
a class of drugs whose major action is a calming or depressed effect on the central nervous system
Amobarbital
a barbiturate used as a sedative and hypnotic
Phenobarbital
a barbiturate used as a sedative and as an anticonvulsant
sedative
depresses the central nervous system to produce calm and diminished responsiveness without producing sleep
Anesthesia
the absence of normal sensation, especially sensitivity to pain, that is induced by the administration of an anesthetic agent
anesthetic
the medication used to induce anesthesia. The anesthetic may be topical, local, regional, or general
Epidural anesthesia
regional anesthesia produced by injecting medication into the epidural space of the lumbar or sacral region of the spine. When administered during childbirth, it numbs the nerves from the uterus and birth passage without stopping labor
General anesthesia
involves the total loss of body sensation and consciousness induced by anesthetic agents administered primarily by inhalation or intravenous injection
Local anesthesia
causes the loss of sensation in a limited area by injecting an anesthetic solution near that area
Regional anesthesia
the temporary interruption of nerve conduction, is produced by injecting an anesthetic solution near the nerves to be blocked
Spinal anesthesia
regional anesthesia produced by injecting medication into the subarachnoid space. As with epidural anesthesia, the patient remains conscious.
Topical anesthesia
numbs only the tissue surface and is applied as a liquid, ointment, or spray
Deep brain stimulation
a neurosurgical procedure used in the treatment of dystonia, tremors, and Parkinson’s disease. A device to stimulate the brain with mild electrical signals is implanted in the brain and is connected to a stimulator implanted near the collar bone
Gamma knife surgery
a type of radiation treatment for brain tumors performed without a knife or an incision. The surgeon uses gamma radiation to destroy diseased tissue while preserving the healthy tissue around the tumor.
Electroconvulsive therapy
also known as electroshock therapy, is a procedure in which small amounts of electric current are passed through the brain, deliberately triggering a brief seizure in order to reverse symptoms of certain mental illnesses
lobectomy
surgical removal of a portion of the brain to treat brain cancer or seizure disorders that cannot be controlled with medication
thalamotomy
a surgical incision into the thalamus. This procedure, which destroys brain cells, is primarily performed to quiet the tremors of Parkinson’s disease
Transcranial magnetic stimulation
uses brief, powerful electromagnetic pulses to alter electrical pathways in the brain
Neuroplasty
the surgical repair of a nerve or nerves
Neurorrhaphy
surgically suturing together the ends of a severed nerve
Neurotomy
the surgical division or dissectionof a nerve.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM
currently in the fifth edition, is the gold standard for diagnosing these disorders
Anxiety disorders
mental conditions characterized by excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations or fear that is out of proportion to the real danger in a situation. Without treatment, an anxiety disorder can become chronic
generalized anxiety disorder
characterized by chronic, excessive worrying. Physical symptoms associated with this condition can include muscle tension, sleep disturbance, irritability, trouble concentrating, and restlessness
panic attack
unexpected, sudden experience of fear in the absence of danger, accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, sweating, nausea, feelings of unreality, choking sensations, or a combination of these
Panic disorder
characterized by a fear of panic attacks. Panic disorder can cause people to develop agoraphobia or other phobias
Post-traumatic stress disorder
may develop after an event involving actual or threatened death or injury to the individual or someone else, during which the person felt intense fear, helplessness, or horror
phobia
a persistent, irrational fear of a specific thing or situation, strong enough to cause significant distress, to interfere with functioning, and to lead to the avoidance of the thing or situation that causes this reaction
Agoraphobia
an excessive fear of environments where the person fears a panic attack might occur. In order to avoid these situations, someone suffering from agoraphobia might not even be able to leave home
Social anxiety disorder
an excessive fear of social situations where the person fears negative evaluation by others and embarrassing him
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
characterized by recurrent obsessions (repetitive, intrusive, distressing thoughts or impulses) and/or compulsions
Hoarding disorder
characterized by the over accumulation of belongings in a way that interferes with daily living. Hoarding can create unsafe and unsanitary living conditions
attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
characterized by a short attention span and impulsive behavior that is inappropriate for the child’s developmental age
Dyslexia
also known as a developmental reading disorder, is a learning disability characterized by substandard reading achievement due to the inability of the brain to process symbols correctly
Learning disabilities
disorders found in children of normal intelligence who have difficulties in learning specific skills such as processing language or grasping mathematical concepts
Intellectual disability
also called intellectual developmental disorder, is a diagnosis of significant below-average intellectual and adaptive functioning present from birth or early infancy
Autistic spectrum disorder
(ASD) describes a condition with different levels of symptom severity in which a young child has difficulty developing normal social relationships and communication skills, may compulsively follow repetitive routines, and has narrowly focused, intense interests that are sometimes unusual.
Dissociative disorders
occur when normal thought is separated from consciousness
Dissociative identity disorder
referred to as multiple personality disorder, is a mental illness characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personalities, each with its own characteristics, which appear to exist within the same individual
Impulse control disorders
a group of psychiatric disorders characterized by a failure to resist an impulse despite potential negative consequences
Kleptomania
a disorder characterized by repeatedly stealing objects neither for personal use nor for their monetary value
Pyromania
a disorder characterized by repeated, deliberate fire setting
Oppositional defiant disorder
characterized by a child or adolescent’s persistent angry, uncooperative, and disruptive behavior directed toward authority figures, which disrupts daily activities
bipolar disorder
a condition characterized by cycles of severe mood changes shifting between highs
Manic behavior
includes an abnormally elevated mood of euphoria, including inappropriate elation, increased irritability, severe insomnia, poor judgment, and inappropriate social behavior
Depression
a common mood disorder characterized by lethargy and sadness, as well as the loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities. Severe depression may lead to feelings of worthlessness and thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide
Persistent depressive disorder
also known as dysthymia, is a low-grade, chronic depression with symptoms that are milder than those of severe depression but are present on a majority of days for two or more years
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
a newer diagnosis for children who have frequent, severe temper outbursts and are chronically irritable
Seasonal affective disorder
a seasonal bout of depression associated with the decrease in hours of daylight during winter months
Anorexia nervosa
characterized by a false perception of body appearance. This leads to an intense fear of gaining weight and inability to maintain a healthy body weight
Bulimia nervosa
an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercising, or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications
Binge eating disorder (BED)
characterized by frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food, accompanied by a sense of loss of control and feelings of guilt or shame afterward
antisocial personality disorder
pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others. This pattern brings the individual into continuous conflict with society
borderline personality disorder
characterized by impulsive actions, often with the potential for self-harm, as well as mood instability and chaotic relationships
narcissistic personality disorder
a pattern of extreme preoccupation with the self and complete lack of empathy for others. Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s mental and emotional state without becoming personally involved
psychotic disorder
characterized by the loss of contact with reality and deterioration of normal social functioning
Catatonic behavior
marked by a lack of responsiveness, stupor, and a tendency to remain in a fixed posture
delusion
false personal belief that is maintained despite obvious proof or evidence to the contrary. The belief is not one ordinarily accepted by other members of the individual’s culture or religious faith
hallucination
a sensory perception, experienced in the absence of external stimulation
Schizophrenia
a psychotic disorder usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances
somatic symptom disorder
characterized by physical complaints or concerns about one’s body that are out of proportion to any physical findings or disease
factitious disorder
a condition in which an individual acts as if he or she has a physical or mental illness when he or she is not really sick
factitious disorder by proxy
form of child abuse. Although seeming very concerned about the child’s well-being, the mentally ill parent will falsify an illness in a child by making up or inducing symptoms and then seeking medical treatment, even surgery, for the child
conversion disorder
characterized by serious temporary or ongoing changes in function, such as paralysis or blindness, that are triggered by psychological factors rather than by any physical cause
Malingering
characterized by the intentional creation of false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms
Substance abuse
the addictive use of tobacco, alcohol, medications, or illegal drugs. This abuse leads to significant impairment in functioning, danger to one’s self or others, and recurrent legal and/or interpersonal problems
Alcoholism
chronic alcohol dependence with specific signs and symptoms upon withdrawal.
Delirium tremens
is a disorder involving sudden and severe mental changes or seizures caused by abruptly stopping the use of alcohol
Drug abuse
excessive use of illegal or recreational drugs, or the misuse of prescription drugs. A recreational drug is one normally used for personal pleasure or satisfaction rather than medical purpose
A drug overdose
potentially fatal, accidental or intentional use of an illegal drug or prescription medicine in an amount higher than what is safe or normal.
Gender dysphoria
a condition where a person’s gender at birth does not match the gender with which they currently identify, potentially causing significant amounts of stress. Dysphoria means dissatisfaction. These feelings can begin in early childhood
transgender
refers to a person whose gender identity does not match their gender at birth
psychotropic drug
acts primarily on the central nervous system, where it produces temporary changes affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior
antidepressant
administered to prevent or relieve depression. Some of these medications are also used to treat obsessive-compulsive and generalized anxiety disorders and to help relieve chronic pain
antipsychotic drug
administered to treat symptoms of severe disorders of thinking and mood that are associated with neurological and psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, mania, and delusional disorders
anxiolytic drug
also known as an antianxiety drug or tranquilizer, is administered to temporarily relieve anxiety and to reduce tension
Mood-stabilizing drugs
such as lithium, are used to treat mood instability and bipolar disorders
stimulant
increasing activity in certain areas of the brain to increase concentration and wakefulness.
Psychoanalysis
based on the idea that mental disorders have underlying causes stemming from childhood and can only be overcome by gaining insight into one’s feelings and patterns of behavior
Behavioral therapy
focuses on changing behavior by identifying problem behaviors, replacing them with appropriate behaviors, and using rewards or other consequences to make the changes
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
focuses on changing thoughts that are affecting a person’s emotions and actions. These are identified and then are challenged through logic, gathering evidence, testing in action, or a combination of these. The goal is to change problematic beliefs. A modified version of CBT, called dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Hypnotherapy
the use of hypnosis to produce an altered state of focused attention in which the patient may be more willing to believe and act on suggestions. It is used for pain relief, anxiety reduction, and behavioral modification
