Eating Disorders and Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Characterized by persistent worry and distress over physical symptoms like pain or fatigue. The distress may or may not be associated with a confirmed medical condition. The individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to these symptoms are excessive.

Similar to SSD but focuses on a fear of illness rather than physical symptoms themselves. Individuals with hypochondriasis are preoccupied with the fear of having or developing a serious illness.

Involves a loss or altered change in physical functioning. This change is often triggered by psychological stress or trauma. Characteristic symptoms include paralysis, blindness, seizures, and difficulty speaking.

Intense fear of having or developing a serious illness despite minimal or no actual somatic symptoms. It involves extreme anxiety and excessive health-related behaviors like frequent doctor visits or avoidance of hospitals.

Involves intentionally faking or exaggerating physical or psychological symptoms. The motivation is to assume the sick role, not for external rewards like financial gain.

Individuals with SSD often experience significant distress and impairment in their daily life. They may avoid activities, relationships, and work due to their health concerns. This can lead to social isolation and dependency on others.

Understanding the underlying psychological factors is key to managing SSD. Therapists can help patients identify and manage their emotional distress, improve coping skills, and challenge unhealthy thoughts and beliefs.

SSD can place a significant burden on the healthcare system. Frequent doctor visits, unnecessary tests, and potential misdiagnoses contribute to increased healthcare costs and resource utilization.

A chronic mood disorder characterized by fluctuations between mild depressive and hypomanic symptoms. Individuals experience these mood swings for at least two years, but never have symptoms for more than two months at a time.

Experiencing a state of heightened mood, energy and activity, but not as severe as a manic episode.

A severe mental disorder characterized by a disruption in a person's thinking, feeling, and behavior. Individuals may lose touch with reality.

A group of severe mental conditions characterized by disruptive personality changes, deterioration in social functioning, and a loss of contact with reality. Hallucinations and delusions are key features.

Symptoms of schizophrenia that alter or distort normal mental functions. Examples include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech and thoughts.

Symptoms of schizophrenia that involve a decrease or absence of normal mental functions. Examples include social withdrawal, decreased emotional expression, apathy, and lack of interest.

False beliefs held by an individual despite evidence to the contrary, often a characteristic of schizophrenia.

Sensory experiences that occur without an external stimulus, such as seeing things, hearing voices, or feeling sensations that aren't real, often a characteristic of schizophrenia.

A mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities, affecting social and occupational functioning for at least two weeks. It doesn't involve any history of manic behavior.

A chronic form of depression with lower intensity but longer duration, lasting for at least two years in adults and one year in children and adolescents. People with dysthymia experience a persistent feeling of being "sad" or "down in the dumps."

A mental health disorder characterized by extreme shifts in mood, energy, and functional capacity, with periods of profound depression and intense euphoria (mania).

A type of bipolar disorder characterized by episodes of mania (elevated mood, energy, or irritability) and major depressive episodes. During manic episodes, the individual may experience hallucinations or delusions.

A type of Bipolar disorder that includes hypomanic episodes (less severe than mania) and major depressive episodes. While hypomanic states are noticeable by others, they are not severe enough to be a breakdown and do not require hospitalization.

Factors that can influence the development of Somatic Symptom Disorder, include genetics, personality traits, cognitive distortions, and social environment factors.

A range of treatments for Somatic Symptom Disorder, including therapy (psychotherapy), medication (antidepressants), lifestyle changes, and support groups.

A pattern of speech where thoughts jump from one unrelated topic to another, making it difficult to follow.

The need to progressively increase the amount of a substance to achieve the same effect.

Incoherent speech with a jumble of words that makes no sense to others.

Symptoms similar to Schizophrenia but lasting for a shorter duration (1-6 months).

A psychotic disorder characterized by a combination of psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) and significant mood disturbances (depression, mania) that persist for at least two weeks.

A sudden onset of psychotic symptoms that last less than a month.

Recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging, fasting, or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain.

Involves a lack of interest in food, avoidance of certain foods due to sensory characteristics or a fear of negative consequences.

A BMI of 30 or greater, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers.

A type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals regulate their emotions, improve interpersonal skills, and cope with distress.

A pattern of recurrent sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving non-living objects, suffering, or non-consenting individuals.

A persistent, strong desire to engage in sexual activity with prepubescent or early pubescent children.

Characterized by recurrent, intense sexual arousal from exposing one's genitals to unsuspecting persons.

A sexual dysfunction marked by difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection sufficient for sexual activity.

Recurrent or persistent difficulty reaching orgasm, or delayed orgasm.

Recurrent premature ejaculation, defined as ejaculation occurring within 1 minute of vaginal penetration, or before a person wants it.

Sexual arousal from the use of non-living objects or specific non-genital body parts.

Persistent or recurrent genital pain during sexual intercourse.