According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), one may become diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder if he or she has a strong obsession with one or more perceived defects or…
Disorder
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), sexual sadism disorder concerns individuals who freely admit to having the discussed paraphilic interests and those who deny having any sexual interest in the suffering, physically or psychologically,…
Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden surges of severe fear or discomfort that heighten significantly within minutes. One type of unexpected panic attack, and a common one at that, is a nocturnal panic attack. This is…
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is essentially characterized by the development of certain symptoms following exposure to a traumatic event. The appearance of PTSD varies among different…
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), schizotypal personality disorder is primarily characterized by an individual’s persistent social deficits marked by serious discomfort with close relationships and by cognitive distortions of behavior. The pattern of social deficits…
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by one’s excessive need to be cared for by others, driven by the individual’s belief that he or she cannot do so sufficiently without help. This need leads to clinginess and fears of separation. Individuals who suffer with…
Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of excessive sensitivity and attention-seeking behavior. It begins to develop by early adulthood and occurs in a variety of situations. Individuals who suffer with this disorder are at increased risk for becoming suicidal or making…
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a pattern of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity, which gets in the way of normal functioning and development. This inattention includes difficulty staying focused and on task, being disorganized,…
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the essential feature of a major depressive episode is either depressed mood or loss of interest in daily activities over a period of at least two weeks. In children and teens, the mood…
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, the essential feature of delusional disorder is the occurrence of one or more delusions that continue for at least a month. These delusions can…
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the essential feature of schizoid personality disorder is a persistent detachment from social relationships and limited emotional…
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), separation anxiety disorder is primarily characterized by an individual’s fear of leaving home or parting from certain individuals. This anxiety must exceed what is expected at the individual’s…
