Psychological Disorders: Anxiety, Mood, and Trauma-Related Conditions

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)

Short-term trauma response (3 days-1 month). Most at risk: Adults/teens after accidents, assaults, disasters. Example: Car accident survivor avoids driving for 2 weeks.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Symptoms >1 month after trauma (flashbacks, avoidance, hyperarousal). Most at risk: Veterans, assault survivors, children in war zones; women > men. Example: Veteran avoids fireworks due to combat memories.

Adjustment Disorder

Emotional/behavioral response to stressor (≤6 months). Most at risk: Adolescents, young adults in transitions. Example: Teen's grades drop after divorce.

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Withdrawn behavior in children due to neglect. Most at risk: Children <5 with severe neglect. Example: Foster child avoids eye contact, comfort-seeking.

Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)

Overly familiar behavior with strangers. Most at risk: Children with early neglect or institutionalization. Example: 6-year-old hugs strangers at park.

Panic Disorder

Recurrent panic attacks + fear of recurrence. Most at risk: Late teens-30s; women 2x > men. Example: College student avoids gym after chest-pain panic attack.

Agoraphobia

Fear of places escape may be difficult. Most at risk: Early adulthood; often follows panic disorder. Example: Woman avoids malls, won't leave home without spouse.

Specific Phobia

Irrational fear of object/situation. Most at risk: Childhood onset; women > men. Example: Boy refuses swimming due to fear of water.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Fear of social scrutiny/embarrassment. Most at risk: Teens; women report more. Example: Teen avoids school presentations.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Chronic, excessive worry ≥6 months. Most at risk: Onset ~30; women 2x > men. Example: Adult constantly worries about finances/health.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Fear of separation from attachment figures. Most at risk: Children; adults if ≥6 months. Example: 10-year-old refuses sleepovers, fears parent harm.

Selective Mutism

Failure to speak in some settings but not others. Most at risk: Onset 3-6 years; linked to social anxiety. Example: Kindergartner silent in class, talkative at home.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessions + compulsions, distressing. Most at risk: Adolescence-early adulthood. Example: Adult washes hands 50+ times/day.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Preoccupation with imagined defect. Most at risk: Teens-20s; men = women. Example: Teen obsessed with nose shape.

Hoarding Disorder

Difficulty discarding items → clutter. Most at risk: Onset adolescence; worsens in 40s-50s. Example: House full of newspapers, can't throw away junk.

Trichotillomania

Recurrent hair-pulling → hair loss. Most at risk: Onset 10-13; females > males. Example: Girl pulls out eyelashes when stressed.

Excoriation Disorder

Recurrent skin-picking → lesions. Most at risk: Adolescents; women > men. Example: Woman picks arms until bleeding.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

≥2 weeks depressed mood or anhedonia + 4 symptoms. Most at risk: Onset mid-20s; women 2x > men. Example: Woman hopeless, sleeps all day, no hobbies.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Chronic low mood ≥2 years. Most at risk: Onset adolescence/childhood. Example: Teen feels 'down' for years, poor concentration.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Severe mood swings before menstruation. Most at risk: Reproductive-age women. Example: Irritability, depression before period.

Bipolar I Disorder

At least one manic episode (≥1 week). Most at risk: Onset ~18; men = women. Example: Man stays up 5 nights, reckless spending.

Bipolar II Disorder

Hypomania (≥4 days) + major depression. Most at risk: Onset mid-20s; women > men. Example: Woman cycles between energy bursts and depression.

Cyclothymic Disorder

≥2 years hypomanic + depressive symptoms (not full episodes). Most at risk: Onset adolescence/early adulthood. Example: Young adult with chronic mild mood swings.

Suicidal Ideation

Thinking/planning suicide. Most at risk: Teens, older adults, those with mood disorders. Example: Teen writes suicide note.

Suicide Attempt

Self-harm with intent to die. Most at risk: Adolescents & young adults; men complete more, women attempt more. Example: College student overdoses on pills but survives.

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)

Self-harm without intent to die. Most at risk: Teens/young adults; females > males. Example: 16-year-old cuts arm to relieve stress.