The Nervous System and Mental Health Flashcards
cerebr/o, encephal/o; coordinated all body activities by receiving and transmitting messages throughout the body
brain
myel/o; transmits nerve impulses between the brain, arms, legs, and lower part of the body; a long, fragile, tube-like structure that begins at the end of the brainstem and continues down almost to the bottom of the spinal column
spinal cord
neur/i, neur/o; receive and transmit messages to and from all parts of the body
nerves
receive external stimulation and transmit these stimuli to the sensory neurons
sensory organs/receptors
(CNS) brain and spinal cord; function is to receive and process information and to regulate all body activity; protected externally by the bones of the cranium and the vertebrae of the spinal column; within the bony structures, the brain and spinal cord are further protected by the meninges and the cerebrospinal fluid
central nervous system
(PNS) includes the 12 pairs of cranial nerves and the 31 pairs of peripheral nerves; function is to transmit nerve signals to and from the central nervous system
peripheral nervous system
one or more bundles of neurons that connect the brain and spinal cord with other parts of the body
nerve
a bundle or group of nerve fibers located within the brain or spinal cord
tract
carry nerve impulses toward the brain
ascending nerve tracts
carry nerve impulses away from the brain
descending nerve tracts
a nerve center made up of a cluster of nerve cell bodies outside the nervous system
ganglion
the supply of nerves to a specific body part
innervation
a network of intersecting spinal nerves; also describes a network of intersecting blood or lymphatic vessels
plexus
sites in the sensory organs that receive external stimulation; send the stimulus through the sensory neurons to the brain for interpretation
receptors
anything that excites a nerve and causes an impulse
stimulus
an automatic, involuntary response to some change, either inside or outside the body
reflex
the basic cells of the nervous system that allow different parts of the body to communicate with each other
neurons
the root-like processes that receive impulses and conduct them to the cell body
dendrites
a process that conducts impulses away from the nerve cell; can be more that 3 feet long; many are protected by a myelin sheath, which is a white fatty tissue covering
axon
branching fibers at the end of the axon that lead to the nerve impulse from the axon to the synapse
terminal end fibers
the space between 2 neurons or between a neuron and a receptor organ
synapse
chemical substances that make it possible for messages to cross from the synapse of a neuron to the target receptor
neurotransmitters
released at some synapses in the spinal cord and at neuromuscular junctions; it influences muscle actions
acetylcholine
released within the brain; an excess of dopamine is associated with schizophrenia, mood and thought disorders and in abnormal movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease
dopamine
naturally occurring substances that are produces by the brain to help relieve pain
endorphins
affects alertness and arousal, increasing blood pressure and heart rate, and releasing stores of glucose in response to stress; also a hormone released by the adrenal glands as part of the body’s fight-or-flight response
norepinephrine
released in the brain, has roles in sleep, hunger, and pleasure recognition; also sometimes linked to mood disorders
serotonin
provide support and protection for neurons, 4 major functions
1. to surround neurons and hold them in place
2. to supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons
3. to insulate one neuron from another
4. to destroy and remove dead neurons
glial cells
the protective covering made up of glial cells; forms the white matter of the brain and covers some parts of the spinal cord and the axon of most peipheral nerves
myelin sheath
the portion of the nerve fibers that are myelinated
white matter
the portion of the nerve fibers that are unmyelinated
gray matter
the system of membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord; 3 layers
meninges
the thick, outermost membrane of the meninges
dura mater
the second layer of the meninges and is located between the dura mater and the pia mater; resembles a spider web
arachnoid membrane
located below the arachnoid membrane and above the pia mater; contains cerebrospinal fluid
subarachnoid space
the third layer of the meninges; located nearest to the brain and spinal cord; consists of delicate connective tissue that contains a rich supply of blood vessels
pia mater
produced by special capillaries within the four ventricles located in the middle region of the cerebrum; clear, colorless, watery fluid that flows throughout the brain and around the spinal cord
-cool and cushion these organs from shock or injury
-nourish the brain and spinal cord by transporting nutrients and chemical messengers to these tissues
cerebrospinal fluid
the largest and uppermost part of the brain, consists of four lobes; controls the highest level of thought, including judgement, memory, association, and critical thinking; also processes sensations and controls all voluntary muscle activity
cerebrum
located below the cerebrum; relays sensory stimuli from the spinal cord and midbrain to the cerebral cortex; suppresses some stimuli and magnifies others
thalamus
located below the thalamus; controls vital bodily functions
hypothalamus
second-largest part of the brain located in the lower back of the cranium below the cerebrum; coordinated muscular activity and balance for smooth and steady movements
cerebellum
located in the base of the brain and forms the connection between the brain and spinal cord which consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata; controls the functions necessary for survival (breathing, digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure) and for arousal
brainstem
made up of gray matter, the outer layer of the cerebrum and is made up of elevated folds and deep fissures
cerebral cortex
the elevated folds of gray matter in the cerebral cortex
gyri
the fissures of the cerebral cortex
sulci
connect the two cerebral hemispheres at the lower midpoint
corpus callosum
controls the majority of functions of the right side of the body; injury produces sensory and motor deficits on the right side of the body
left cerebral hemisphere
controls most of the functions on the left side of the body; injury produces sensory and motor deficits on the left side of the body
right cerebral hemisphere
each cerebral hemisphere is subdivided to create these pairs; each lobe is names for the bone of the cranium that covers it
cerebral lobes
controls skilled motor functions, memory, and behavior
frontal lobe
receives and interprets nerve impulses from sensory receptors in the tongue, skin, and muscles
parietal lobe
controls eyesight
occipital lobe
controls the senses of hearing and sell, and the ability to create, store, and access new information
temporal lobe
provide conduction pathways to and from the higher and lower centers in the brain and also controls reflexes for movements of the eyes and head in response to visual and auditory stimuli
midbrain and pons
located at the lowest part of the brainstem, is connected to the spinal cord; controls basic survival functions, including the muscles that make possible respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure, as well as reflexes for coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting
medulla oblongata
carry instructions to the organs and glands from the autonomic nervous system
autonomic nerve fibers
receive external stimuli, such as how something feels, and transmit this information to the brain where is it interpreted
sensory nerve fibers
(motor nerve fibers) convey information that controls the body’s voluntary muscular movements
somatic nerve fibers
12 pairs originate from the under-surface of the brain; the two nerves of a pair are identical in function and structure, and each nerve of a pair serves half of the body
cranial nerves
31 pairs, grouped together and named based on the region of the body the innervate
C1-C8: cervical nerves
T1-T12: thoracic nerves
L1-L5: lumbar nerves
S1-S5: sacral nerves
peripheral spinal nerves
2 divisions; controls the involuntary actions of the body such as the functioning of internal organs; to maintain homeostasis, each division balances the activity of the other division
autonomic nervous system
prepare the body for emergencies and stress by increasing the respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood flow to muscles
sympathetic nerve
the body’s natural reaction to real or imaginary danger; arouses the sympathetic nerves
fight-or-flight response
return the body to normal after a response to stress; also maintain normal body functions during ordinary circumstances that are not emotionally or physically stressful
parasympathetic nerves
a physician who specializes in administering anesthetic agents before and during surgery
anesthesiologist
a medical professional who specializes in administering anesthesia but is not a physician, for example, a nurse anesthetist
anesthetist
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the nervous system
neurologist
a physician who specializes in surgery of the nervous system
neurosurgeon
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating chemical dependencies, emotional problems, and mental illness
psychiatrist
had a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) but is not a medical doctor; evaluates and treats emotional problems and mental illness
psychologist
a trained therapist, usually with a master’s degree (MSW)
social worker
(headache) pain in the head
cephalgia
may be preceded by a warning aura, is characterized by throbbing pain on one side of the head; primarily affects women and are sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound
migraine headache
a visual disturbance perceived by the patient preceding a migraine headache or epileptic seizure
warning aura
intensely painful headaches that affect one side of the head and may be associated with tearing of the eyes and nasal congestion; primarily affect men; named for their repeated occurrence in groups or clusters
cluster headaches
(craniocele) a congenital herniation of brain tissue through a gap in the skull
encephalocele
the congenital herniation of the meninges through a defect in the skull or spinal column
meningocele
a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the ventricles of the brain; can occur at birth or develop later in life from obstructions related to meningitis, brain tumors, or other causes
hydrocephalus
a common, slow-growing, and usually benign tumor of the meninges
meningioma
an inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord which can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection elsewhere in the body, is characterized by intense headache and flu-like symptoms
meningitis
describes the mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory
cognition
a memory disorder, usually associated with recently acquired information, which may be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease
mild cognitive impairment
a slowly progressive decline in mental abilities, including memory, thinking, and judgement, that is often accompanied by personality changes
dementia
dementia of the aged
senile dementia
refers to a group of symptoms leading to a state of confusion that happens towards the end of the day in patients with dementia
sundowning
a form of dementia caused by stroke or other restriction of the flow of blood to the brain
vascular dementia
an inflammation of the brain, can be caused by a viral infection such as rabies
encephalitis
(RS) a serious and potentially deadly disorder in children that is characterized by vomiting and confusion; sometimes follows a viral illness in which the child was treated with aspirin
Reye’s syndrome
(lockjaw) an acute and potentially fatal infection of the central nervous system caused by a toxin produced by the tetanus bacteria; typically acquired through a deep puncture wound
tetanus
(TS) a complex neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics, grunts, and compulsive utterances that sometimes include obscenities
Tourrete syndrome
degenerative nerve disease, is an umbrella term for disorders in which there is a progressive loss of structure of functions of the neurons
neurodegenerative disease
(AD) a group of disorders involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language; the leading form of dementia and is marked by the progressive deterioration that affects both the memory and reasoning capabilities of an individual
Alzheimer’s disease
a genetic disorder that is classifies as a neurodegenerative disease
Huntington’s disease
(PD) a chronic, degenerative central nervous disorder characterized by fine muscle tremors, rigidity, and a slow or shuffling gait
Parkinson’s disease
second most common type of dementia, occurs when abnormal proteins interfere with cell function in the brain
Lewy body dementia
(ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) rapidly progressive neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
a memory disturbance characterized by a total or partial inability to recall past experiences; can be caused by brain injury, illness, or a psychological disturbance
amnesia
a violent shaking up or jarring of the brain; may result in a temporary loss of awareness and function
concussion
the 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 contusion
a collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the brain; may be caused by a major or minor head injury
cranial hematoma
cranial hematoma located above the dura mater
epidural hematoma
cranial hematoma located below the dura mater
subdural hematoma
a blow to the head or a penetrating head injury that damages the brain
traumatic brain injury
describes an injury occurring within the skull neat the point of impact, such as hitting the windshield in an auto accident
coup
(counterblow) an injury that occurs beneath the skull opposite to the area of inpact
contrecoup
describes the results of a child being violently shaken by someone; can cause brain injury, blindness, fractures, seizures, paralysis, and death
shaken baby syndrome
(LOC) describe the measurement of response to arousal and stimulus
levels of consciousness
(ALOC) refer to a decrease in consciousness due to injury, disease, or substances such as medication, drugs, or alcohol
altered level of consciousness
the state of being awake, alert, aware, and responding appropriately
conscious
the state of being unaware and unable to respond to any stimuli, including pain
unconscious
a lower level of consciousness marked by listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy
lethargy
an unresponsive state from which a person can be aroused only briefly despite vigorous, repeated attempts
stupor
(fainting) the brief loss of consciousness caused by the decreased flow of blood to the brain
syncope
a profound state of unconsciousness marked by the absence of spontaneous eye movements, no response to painful stimuli, and the lack of speech
coma
a 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
persistent vegetative state
an acute condition of confusion, disorientation, disordered thinking and memory, agitation, and hallucinations usually caused by treatable physical condition, such as high fever
delirium
an abnormal growth located inside the skull
brain tumor
an abnormal growth located inside the skull that destroys brain tissue
malignant brain tumor
an abnormal growth located inside the skull that does not invade brain tissue; however, because the growth is surrounded by rigid bone, as the tumor enlarges, it can damage the brain by placing pressure against the tissues and increasing the intercranial pressure
benign brain tumor
the amount of pressure in the skull
intercranial pressure
(CVA or stroke) 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
cerebrovascular accident
a three-question scale used to recognize CVA using the mnemonic FAST
Facial droop
Arm drift
Speech abnormality
Time
Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale
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 stroke
occurs when a blood clot forms in a carotid artery and blocks it
thrombotic stroke
occurs when a blood clot or other debris forms in a blood vessel somewhere else other than the brain and travels through the bloodstream to lodge in the narrower brain arteries
embolytic stroke
(TIA or mini-stroke) the temporary interruption in the blood supply to the brain; passes in less than 1 hour, and is often a warning sign that the individual is at risk for a more serious and debilitating stroke
transient ischemic attack
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
aphasia
(bleed) occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or an aneurysm within the brain ruptures
hemorrhagic stroke
(AVM) one of the causes of hemorrhagic strokes; abnormal connection between the arteries and veins in the brain usually congenital and can rupture at any age
arteriovenous malformation
the prolonged or abnormal inability to sleep; usually a symptom of another problem such as depression, pain, or excessive caffine
insomnia
a sleep disorder consisting of a sudden and uncontrollable brief episodes of falling asleep during the day
narcolepsy
a sufficient lack of restorative sleep over a cumulative period so as to cause physical or psychiatric symptoms and affect routine performance or tasks
sleep deprivation
(sleepwalking or noctambulism) the condition of walking or performing some other activity without awakening
somnambulism
an inflammation of the spinal cord
myelitis
a tumor of the spinal cord
myelosis
(polio) a highly contagious viral infection of the brainstem and spinal cord that sometimes leads to paralysis
poliomyelitis
the recurrence later in life of some polio symptoms in individuals who have had childhood poliomyelitis and have recovered from it
post-polio syndrome
(pinched nerve) an inflammation of the root of a spinal nerve that causes pain and numbness radiating down the affected limb
radiculitis
nerve pain caused by pressure on the spinal nerve roots in the neck region
cervical radiculitis
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
lumbar radiculopathy
(MS) a progressive autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation that causes demyelation 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
multiple sclerosis
the temporary paralysis of the 7th cranial nerve that causes paralysis of the face, only on the affected side
Bell’s palsy
(infectious polyneuritis) an inflammation of the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves, characterized by rapidly worsening muscle weakness that can lead to temporary paralysis
Guillain-Barre syndrome
an inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function
neuritis
an inflammation of the sciatic nerve that results in pain, burning, and tingling along the course of the affected nerve through the thigh, leg, and sometimes into the foot
sciatica
characterized by severe, lightning-like pain due to an inflammation of the 5th cranial nerve; sudden, brief attacks of pain affect the cheek, lips, and gums only on the side of the face innervated by the affected nerve
trigeminal neuralgia
a condition characterized by poor muscle control, spasticity, speech defects, and other neurologic deficiencies due to damage that affects the cerebrum
cerebral palsy
a condition in which certain muscles are continuously contracted
spasticity
paralysis of a body part that is often accompanied by loss of feeling and uncontrolled body movements, such as shaking
palsy
(seizure disorder) a chronic neurologic condition characterized by recurrent episodes of seizures of varying severity; can usually be controlled by medication
epilepsy
a sudden surge of electric activity in the brain that affects how a person feels or acts for a short period of time and are often a symptom of different disorders that can affect the brain, extreme high fever, brain injury, or beain lesions
seizure
(grand mal seizure) involve the whole body; in the tonic phase, the body becomes rigid, and in the clonic phase, there is uncontrolled jerking
tonic-clonic seizure
(petit mal seizure) a brief disturbance in brain function in which there is a loss of awareness often describes as a staring episode
absence seizure
persistent, severe burning pain that is usually follows an injury to a sensory nerve
causalgia
a condition of abnormal and excessive sensitivity to touch, pain, or other sensory stimuli
hyperesthesia
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; may constitute the first symptoms of peripheral neuropathy or may be a side effect of a drug
parasthesia
a disorder of the peripheral nerves that carry info to and from the brain and spinal cord
peripheral neuropathy
any disease or damage to a nerve
neuropathy
damage to a singular peripheral nerve, as in carpal tunnel syndrome
mononeuropathy
when multiple peripheral nerves are damaged; diabetes is a common sign of polyneuropathy, along with trauma, vitamin deficiencies, and alcoholism
polyneuropathy
(RLS) a neurologic condition characterized by uncomfortable feelings in the legs, producing a strong urge to move them
restless leg syndrome
important neuroimaging tools that facilitate the examination of the oft tissue structures of the brain and spinal cord
MRI and CT
(fMRI) detects changes in blood flow in the brain when the patient is asked to perform a specific task
functional MRI
an ultrasound study of the carotid artery; performed to detect plaque buildup in the artery to predict or diagnose an ischemic stroke
carotid ultrasonography
the process of recording the electrical activity of the brain through the use of electrodes attached to the scalp; resulting record is an EEG
electroencephalography
radiographic study of the spinal cord after the injection of a contrast medium through a lumbar puncture; resulting record is a myelogram
myelography
(EMG) utilizes electrodes taped to the skin to emasure the transfer of electrical signals in peripheral nerves to the muscles
electromyelography
(LP or spinal tap) the process of obtaining a sample of cerebrospinal fluid by inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region to withdraw fluid
lumbar puncture
depresses the central nervous system and usually produces sleep
hypnotic
administered to prevent seizures such as those associated with epilepsy
anticonvulsant
a class of drugs whose major action is a calming or depressed effect on the central nervous system
barbiturates
a barbiturate used as a sedative and hypnotic
amobarbital
a barbiturate used as a sedative and as an anticonvilsant
phenobarbital
depresses the central nervous syatem to produce calm and diminished responsiveness without producing sleep
sedative
the absence of normal sensation that is induced by the administration of an anesthetic agent
anesthesia
the medication used to induce anesthesia; may be topical, local, general, or regional
anesthetic
regional anesthesia produced by injecting medication into the epidural space of the lumbar or sacral region of the spine; during childbirth, it numbs the nerves from the uterus and birth passage without stopping labor
epidural anesthesia
involves the total loss of body sensation and consciousness induced by anesthetic agents administered by inhalation or intravenous injection
general anesthesia
causes the loss of sensation in a limited area by injecting an anesthetic solution near that area
local anesthesia
the temporary interruption of nerve conduction, is produced by an injecting an anesthetic solution near the nerves to be blocked
regional anesthesia
regional anesthesia produced by injecting medication into the subarachnoid space; provides numbness from the toes to the waist or lower chest
spinal anesthesia
numbs only the tissue surface and is applied as a liquid, ointment, or spray
topical anesthesia
(DBS) a neurological procedure used in the treatment of dystonia, tremors, and Parkinson’s disease; a device to stimulate the brain with mild electrical signals is connected to a stimulator implanted near the collarbone
deep brain stimulation
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
gamma knife surgery
(electroshock therapy) 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
electroconvulsive therapy
surgical removal of a portion of the brain to treat brain cancer or seizure disorders that cannot be controlled with medication
lobectomy
a surgical incision into the thalamus; primarily performed to quiet the tremors of Parkinson’s disease
thalamotomy
(TMS) uses brief, powerful electromagnetic pulses to alter electrical pathways in the brain
transcranial magnetic stimulation
the surgical repair of a nerve(s)
neuroplasty
surgically suturing together the ends of a severed nerve
neurorrhaphy
the surgical division or dissection (cutting) of a nerve
neurotomy
mental conditions characterized by excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations or fear that is out or proportion to the real danger in a situation
anxiety disorders
(GAD) characterized by chronic, excessive worrying; physical symptoms associated with this condition can include muscle tension, sleep disturbance, irritability, trouble concentrating, and restlessness
generalized anxiety disorder
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, feelings of unreality, choking sensations, or a combination; unneeded activation of the body’s fight-or-flight response
panic attack
characterized by a fear of panic attacks and cna cause people to develop agoraphobia or other phobias
panic disorder
(PTSD) 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; symptoms include emotional numbness, hyperarousal, anxiety, sleep disorders, and persistent reliving of the event
post-traumatic stress disorder
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 cause this reaction
phobia
an excessive fear of heights
acrophobia
an excessive fear of environments where the person fears a panic attack might occur
agoraphobia
an abnormal fear of being in a small or enclosed space
claustrophobia
(social phobia) an excessive fear of social situations where the person fears negative evaluation by others and embarrassing him- or herself in front of others
social anxiety disorder
(OCD) characterized by recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions; makes someone feel like he/she must do compulsive behaviors to prevent harm or stop the obsession
obsessive-compulsive disorder
repetitive, intrusive, distressing thoughts or impulses
obsessive
repeatedly feeling compelled to do things, like wash or pray
compulsions
characterized by the over accumulation of belogings in a way that interferes with daily living; can create unsafe and unsanitary living condition
hoarding disorder
(ADHD) characterized by a short attention span and impulsive behavior that is inappropriate for the child’s developmental age
attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
restlessness or a continuing excess of movement
hyperactivity
(ADD) sometimes used if hyperactivity is not present in ADHD
attention deficit disorder
(developmental reading disorder) a learning disability characterized by substandard reading achievement due to the inability of the brain to process symbols correctly
dyslexia
disorders found in children of normal intelligence who have difficulties in learning specific skills such as processing language or grasping mathematical concepts
learning disabilities
a diagnosis of significant below-average intellectual and adaptive functioning present from birth or early infancy
intellectual disability
(ASD) describes a condition with different levels of symptom severity in which a young child has difficulty developing normal social relationships and communication skills, ay compulsively follow repetitive routines, and has narrowly focused, intense interests that are sometimes unusual
autistic spectrum disorder
another subgroup of autism; people with this condition usually have normal or above-average intelligence but are impaired in social interactions and nonverbal communication
Asperger’s syndrome
occurs when normal thought is separated from consciousness
dissociative disorder
(multiple personality disorder) 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
dissociative identity disorder
a group of psychiatric disorders characterized by a failure to resist an impulse despite potential negative consequences
impulse control disorders
a disorder characterized by repeatedly stealing objects neither for personal use nor for their monetary value
kleptomania
a disorder characterized by repeated, deliberate fire setting
pyromania
characterized by a child or adolescent’s persistent angry, uncooperative, and disruptive behavior directed toward authority figures, which disrupts daily activities
oppositional defiant disorder
a condition characterized by cycles of severe mood changes shifting between highs and severe lows
bipolar disorder
an abnormally elevated mood of euphoria
manic behavior
characterized by lethargy and sadness, as well as the loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities; severe cases may lead to feelings of worthlessness and thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide
depression
(dysthymia) a low-grade, chronic depression with symptoms that are milder than those of severe depression but are present on a majority of days for 2+ years
persistent depressive disorder
(DMDD) a new diagnosis for children who have frequent, severe temper outbursts and are chronically unstable
disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
(SAD) a seasonal bout of depression associated with the decrease in hours of daylight during winter months
seasonal affective disorder
characterized by a false perception of body appearance that leads to an intense fear of gaining weight and inability to maintain a healthy body weight; voluntary starvation and/or excessive exercising often cause the patient to become emaciated
bullimia nervosa
(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
binge eating disorder
a chronic pattern of inner experience and behavior that causes serious problems with relationships and work; this pattern of pervasive and inflexible, had an onset in adolescents or early adulthood, is stable over time, and leads to distress or impairment
personality disorder
a pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others that brings the individual into continuous conflict with society
antisocial
characterized by impulsive actions, often with the potential for self-harm, as well as moos instability and chaotic relationships
borderline
a pattern of extreme preoccupation with the self and complete lack of empathy for others
narcissistic
characterized by the loss of contact with reality and deterioration of normal social functioning
psychotic disorder
marked by a lack of responsiveness, stupor, and a tendency to remain in a fixed posture
catatonic behavior
a false personal belief that is maintained despite the obvious proof or evidence to the contrary
delusion
a sensory perception experienced in the absence of external stimulation
hallucination
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 disabilities
schizophrenia
characterized by physical complaints or concerns about one’s body that are out of proportion to any physical findings or disease
somatic symptom disorder
(Munchausen syndrome)a condition in which an individual acts as if they have a physical or mental illness when they are nor really sick; visible symptoms are self-inflicted by a desire for attention
factitious disorder
a form of child abuse where the mentally ill will falsify an illness in a child by making up or inducing symptoms, the seeking of medical attention
factitious disorder by proxy
characterized by serious temporary or ongoing changes in function that are triggered by psychological factors rather than by any physical abuse
conversion disorder
characterized by the intentional creation of false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms; motivated by incentives such as avoiding work
malingering
the addictive use of tobacco, alcohol, medications, or illegal drugs that leads to significant impairment in functioning, danger to one’s self or others, and recurrent legal and/or interpersonal problems
substance abuse
chronic alcohol dependence with specific signs and symptoms upon withdrawal
alcoholism
a psychological or physical syndrome (or both) caused by the abrupt cessation (stopping) of the use of alcohol or drugs in an addicted individual
withdrawal
(DTs) a disorder involving sudden and severe mental changes or seizures caused by abruptly stopping the use of alcohol
delirium tremens
the excessive use of illegal or recreational drugs, or the misuse of prescription drugs
drug abuse
the potentially fatal, accidental or intentional use of an illegal drug or prescription medicine in an amount higher than what is safe or normal
drug overdose
the condition where a person’s gender at birth does not match the gender with which they currently identify
gender dysphoria
refers to a person whose gender identity does not match at birth
transgender
acts primarily on the central nervous system, where it produces temporary changes affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior, used to control pain and to treat narcolepsy and attention disorders
psychotropic drug
administered to prevent or relieve depression and also to treat obsessive-compulsive and generalized anxiety disorders and to help relieve chronic pain
antidepressant
(neuroleptic) administered to treat symptoms of severe disorders of thinking that are associated with neurological and psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, mania, and delusional disorders
antipsychotic drug
(antianxiety/tranquilizer) administered to temporarily relieve anxiety and to reduce tension
anxiolytic drug
such as lithium, used to treat mood instability and bipolar disorders
mood-stabilizing drugs
works by increasing activity in certain areas of the brain to increase concentration and wakefulness; have been effective in treating ADHD and narcolepsy
stimulant
based on the idea that mental disorders have underlying causes stemming from childhood and can be overcome by gaining insight into one’s feelings and patterns of behavior
psychoanalysis
focuses on changing behavior by identifying problem behaviors, replacing them with appropriate behaviors, and using rewards or other consequences to make the changes
behavioral therapy
(CBT) focuses on changing thoughts that are affecting a person’s emotions and actions
cognitive behavioral therapy
(DBT) used to treat people with suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or borderline personality disorder
dialectal behavioral therapy
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; used for pain relief, anxiety reduction, and behavioral modification
hypnotherapy
