Overview of Neurodevelopmental and Mental Disorders

autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Neurodevelopmental disorders marked by social deficiencies and repetitive behaviors.

impaired theory of mind

Harder to infer other's thoughts and interpret why other people may view things differently.

environmental risks for ASD

Prenatal exposure to tobacco, lead, mercury, and possible links to levels of air pollution in early life.

behavioral therapies

Psychotherapy involving psychological techniques and interactions between a trained therapist and someone seeking to get past psychological difficulties.

attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by extreme inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in children.

heritable factors in ADHD

ADHD could be heritable, but environmental factors can inhibit/prevent full capability.

overdiagnosis of ADHD

Saying that they have ADHD when little symptoms are shown.

neuroimaging in ADHD

Associated brain activity patterns by diagnoses can be subjective and inconsistent.

treatment for ADHD

Treated with medication/therapy, including stimulant drug treatment like Ritalin/Adderall.

dementia

Major neurocognitive disorder with difficulty remembering recent events and familiar faces.

cognitive stimulation therapy

Therapy aimed at improving cognitive function in dementia patients.

schizophrenia

Marked by loss of reality, disorganized/delusioned thinking, and disturbed perceptions.

positive symptoms of schizophrenia

Presence of inappropriate behavior, such as hallucinations and disorganized speech.

negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Absence of appropriate behavior, such as toneless speech and expressionless face.

dopamine receptors in schizophrenia

Increased responsivity may intensify brain signals, leading to positive symptoms like hallucinations.

viral and prenatal influences on schizophrenia

Infections/famine during gestation, low birth weight, and oxygen deprivation at birth can contribute.

antipsychotic drugs

Psychotropic drugs that block dopamine activities, such as Thorazine, which dampens responsiveness to irrelevant stimuli.

psychosis

Loss of reality, making it difficult to identify what's real and what isn't.

genetic predisposition to schizophrenia

Predisposition to schizophrenia is inherited, with no environmental causes alone producing the disorder.

chronic schizophrenia

Persistent, incapacitating social difficulties that develop gradually and can be mistaken for other mental health conditions.

antipsychotic drugs

drug therapy for severe episodes of schizophrenia, sudden, not aware.

acute(reactive) schizophrenia

severe episodes of schizophrenia, sudden, not aware. genetics(nature), stress, and brain damage.

major depressive disorder (MDD)

Depressive disorders characterized by 2 or more weeks of seriously depressed moods, feelings of worthlessness, and taking little interest in most activities.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

medications that boost arousal/mood by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, making the effect more prevalent.

electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

produces a small seizure in the brain which calms the cerebral neural centers that produce depression and induces neurogenesis.

persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)

Mild depressed mood regularly for at least 2 years, often having sleep/appetite regulation problems, low energy, and feelings of hopelessness.

Bipolar disorder

Depressive disorders where individuals experience not only depression but also mania, characterized by high activity, euphoria, and impulsive behavior.

bipolar 1 disorder

More manic episodes, severe, but less depressive ones; doesn't require depressive episodes as a diagnostic requirement.

bipolar 2 disorder

less severe manic episodes (hypomania) and depressive episodes which last much longer; requires both mania and depression.

mania

abnormally elated mental state characterized by feelings of euphoria, lack of inhibitions, racing thoughts, and diminished need to sleep.

hypomania

a less severe form of mania; family members with bipolar disorder have an increased risk of developing hypomania.

Rumination

compulsive overthinking about problems; relentless and self-focused.

generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

anxiety disorders characterized by persistently feeling tense for no specific reason and difficulty in concentration.

cognitive behavioral therapy

a type of psychotherapy that helps identify and interpret negative thoughts and feelings.

psychodynamic therapy

a therapeutic approach that focuses on unconscious processes and childhood experiences.

psychotropic drugs

medications that affect mood, perception, or behavior.

lithium carbonate

a mood stabilizer that regulates proteins controlling circadian rhythms to help balance mood.

family history

a significant risk factor for many mental health disorders, indicating genetic predispositions.

stressful life events

can trigger or exacerbate mental health disorders, often linked to environmental factors.

cognitive patterns

thought processes that can be altered through therapies like dialectical behavioral therapy.

neurotransmitter systems

biochemical pathways in the brain that are often implicated in mental health disorders.

diminished self-esteem

a common symptom in various depressive disorders, characterized by a low sense of self-worth.

Panic disorder

Anxiety escalates into periodic episodes of intense dread.

Panic attacks

Intense fear that something terrible is about to happen with shortness of breath, heart beating fast, dizziness.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Block reuptake of serotonin.

Ataque de nervios

Similar symptoms to a panic attack, intense fear/dread is not there, often triggered by a stressful event.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Used to treat panic attacks but wouldn't need to treat for intense fear or dread.

Phobia

Irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation.

Exposure therapy

Change behavior by counter-conditioning, creating new responses to stimuli that used to trigger a negative response.

Social anxiety disorder

Extreme fear of judgment by others, leading to avoidance of potentially embarrassing social situations.

Stimulus generalization

Expecting something bad to happen every time in social situations after one negative experience.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Talk therapy and practicing skills to manage stress and emotions to negotiate social relationships.

Taijin kyofusho

Anxiety disorder mainly experienced by Japanese people, involving fear that others are judging their bodies as undesirable.

Agoraphobia

Fear of public situations (crowds, open space) where there is a loss of control and panic.

Reinforcement

Avoiding the source of anxiety makes individuals feel calmer, leading them to stay home.

Arachnophobia

Fear of spiders, often stemming from previous negative experiences around them.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Involves persistent, repetitive anxiety-provoking thoughts and actions.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

Deep brain stimulation that calms overactive brain regions linked with negative emotions.

Hoarding disorder

Difficulty with getting rid of possessions, causing distress and disrupting optimal functionality in one's life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for hoarding

Understand why individuals hoard to help them get rid of the hoarding.

dissociative amnesia/fugue states

complete loss of identity, memory, personality characteristics

dissociative identity disorder

2 or more distinct personalities that alternately control the person's behavior

post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

anxiety is a symptom but trauma is the primary issue. 4 or more weeks of memories, withdrawal from social, hypervigilance, sleep problems, nightmare, irritability, inability to focus.

antianxiety drugs (psychotropic)

depresses the central nervous system activity.

anorexia nervosa

significantly underweight people continue to diet. They view themselves as overweight.

bulimia nervosa

secret bingeing and compensating by purging/fasting or exercise.

schizoid personality disorder

often emotional disengagement, lack of typical emotional expression (detached). Doesn't desire close relationships with people, difficulty relating to others.

paranoid personality disorder

distrust and suspicion of others without enough reason to be suspicious.

schizotypal personality disorder

intense discomfort with relationships and social interactions.

talk therapy

helps people talk their way through changing their behavior and cognitive patterns.

cognitive patterns

thought processes that influence feelings and behaviors.

cognitive reconstruction

a cognitive therapy technique that aims to change negative thought patterns.

group therapy

treatment involving multiple patients with similar experiences for support.

cultural pressures

societal expectations that can influence individual behavior and self-perception.

genetic predispositions

inherited traits that may increase the likelihood of developing certain disorders.

negative childhood experiences

traumatic or adverse events occurring during childhood that can affect mental health.

emotional distress

psychological pain or discomfort experienced during a traumatic event.

intense memories

vivid recollections that can overwhelm cognitive processes.

social isolation

lack of social interactions or relationships.

substance abuse

the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances.

withdrawal from social

the act of retreating from social interactions and relationships.

hypervigilance

an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity accompanied by an exaggerated intensity of behaviors.

nightmare

a disturbing dream that causes the dreamer to awaken in a state of fear or anxiety.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Help the patients recognize why they have an inability to form social relationships in order to fix it.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

Self-focused/inflating behavior; obsessed with one's achievements and one's self; don't need others' approval; believe their opinion is better than everyone else's.

Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)

Excessive attention-seeking behavior; seek approval; try to be the center of attention.

Cognitive Reconstructing

More constructive ways of thinking.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Characterized by a consistent pattern of varying moods, behavior, and self-image; frequent mood swings; difficulty trusting others.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)

Lack of conscience; aggressive/fearless behavior; psychopaths cannot empathize or form loving relationships, while sociopaths can empathize with others with similar goals.

Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Demonstrated before the age of 15; common in males; display low heart rate and less brain activity in response to emotion-provoking stimuli.

Avoidant Personality Disorder (AVPD)

Sensitivity or fear of rejection that predisposes someone to withdraw from personal connections; typically combined with disorders like depression or anxiety.

Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD)

Dependence on others; relying on others to meet physical/emotional needs; lack of independence.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Intense fixation on perfection, orderliness, and control; demand for perfection which often interferes with successful completion of tasks in time.

Group Therapy

With many other people with similar or the same condition, it becomes easier to relate to others while also being cost-effective.