Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric illnesses affecting both children and adults (approximately 19 million American adults). Several disorders fall into this category, including: Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Phobias (including Social Phobia also known as Social Anxiety Disorder), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. These disorders can result in extensive anxiety and fear for an individual, are chronic and may become worse if not treated. Anxiety can be exhibited by mood disturbances, and/or disturbances of thinking, behavior and physiological activity. Hereditary (genetic), behavioral, developmental, environmental and other factors are being explored as causes for these disorders. Various parts of the brain are involved in different aspects of anxiety. Currently, treatments may include medication and/or psychosocial therapies or some combination. Medications used to treat anxiety disorders may include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, beta blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood psychiatric disorders, affecting 3-5 percent of all children (approximately 2 million American children). Boys are affected more than girls (two to three times more often). Children diagnosed with ADHD often exhibit certain behaviors over a period of time. These behaviors can usually be classified in the following categories: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Children with this disorder generally can't stay focused on a task, can't sit still, act without thinking and rarely finish anything. Behaviors can fall within one, two or all three of these categories, onset must be prior to age 7 and continue for over six months, and must have a significant impact on the child's daily functioning in at least two areas such as school, home, or in his/her social environment. It is possible that ADHD can continue into adolescence and adulthood. Research has demonstrated that this disorder appears to stem from biological causes rather than environmental ones.
Download NARSAD's free ADHD fact sheet

Autism
Autism emerges in childhood, affecting 1 to 2 people in every thousand and is 3 to 4 times more common in boys than girls. Autism is a brain disorder which generally affects a person's ability to communicate, form relationships with others, and respond appropriately to the environment. Children with autism may not display exactly the same symptoms, but they to do share certain social, communication, motor and sensory problems that affect how they behave. A diagnosis of autism is made after other possibilities have been ruled out and after a specialist determines there is clear evidence of poor or limited social relationships, underdeveloped communication skills, repetitive behaviors, interests and activities prior to the age of 3. People with autism generally have some impairment in each of these areas, though severity may vary. It is generally accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structures or functions. Both heredity (genetics) and problems which may occur during pregnancy are being explored as an explanation for these abnormalities.

Bipolar Disorder (BD)
Also known as manic-depression, this brain disorder affects more than 2 million American adults, or about 1 percent of the population over 18, in any given year. Adult bipolar disorder typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. People with bipolar disorder generally experience episodes of mania, often described as "highs", combined with episodes of depression ("lows"). Severe episodes of mania or depression may at times include psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions. Medication and psychosocial therapies combined are often the long-term treatment plan. Mood stabilizers such as lithium are commonly used with bipolar disorder. Anticonvulsant medications such as valproate or carbamazepine also have mood stabilizing effects, and newer anticonvulsants are currently being tested for their effectiveness with bipolar disorder.

Childhood Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can occur in children and adolescents. The symptoms are harder to diagnose than in adults, as they may co-occur with other common childhood mental disorders or may be mistaken for age-related emotions/behaviors. Unlike normal mood changes, bipolar disorder significantly impacts school, social activities and family life. The disorder may be as common in youth as it is in adults. Symptoms can appear as early as infancy. Childhood bipolar disorder often begins with major depression marked by chronic irritability. Treatment usually includes medication and psychosocial measures, such as psychotherapy, family educational groups, family support groups, and accommodations at school.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
This disorder affects approximately 2 percent of adults, predominantly young women. It is characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image and behavior. There is a high rate of self-injury without suicidal intent, as well as a significant rate of attempted suicides and completed suicides in severe cases. Environmental and genetic factors are believed to be involved in BPD. Many, but not all with BPD report a history of abuse, neglect or separation as young children.
Download NARSAD's free Borderline Personality Disorder fact sheet

Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is diagnosed in childhood or adolescence and is evidenced by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated. Diagnostic indicators typically fall into four categories: aggression to people and animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft, and serious violation of rules.

Depersonalization Disorder
This disorder is characterized by persistent or recurrent feelings of detachment from oneself, such as feeling one is in a dream. However, the person experiencing these feelings remains reality-oriented during the occurrence. The possibility of other mental disorders, substance abuse or a general medical condition must be ruled out. The disorder must also cause significant distress or impairment in areas of functioning, such as work or family life.

Depression
Major depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and worldwide. Depressive disorders affect an estimated 9.5 percent of adult Americans over the age of 18 in a given year, or approximately 18.8 million people. Symptoms of depression can include a persistent depressed mood, loss of interest in regular activities, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, sleep disturbances, increased or decreased appetite and decreased energy. When seeking treatment for depression, it is important to obtain a medical examination, as many symptoms of depression can be caused by medications and other medical conditions. A variety of antidepressant medications and psychotherapies can be used to treat depression. Medications for depression typically include the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is also sometimes used for people who do not respond to more conventional methods of treatment like medication. Two other forms of treatment are currently being tested for people with treatment-resistant depression--rapid Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS).

Eating Disorders
There are three major types of eating disorders--anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder (this has not yet been approved as a formal psychiatric diagnosis). An eating disorder involves serious disturbances in eating behavior, and is a medical illness. These disorders typically develop during adolescence or early adulthood, and often occur with other psychiatric disorders like depression or anxiety disorders. An estimated 0.5 - 3.7 percent of females develop anorexia, an estimated 1.1 percent to 4.2 percent of females have bulimia nervosa, and between 2 percent and 5 percent of Americans develop binge-eating disorder at some point in their lives.

Fragile X Syndrome
Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited cause of mental retardation. The full mutation appears in approximately 1 in 3600 males and 1 in 4000 to 6000 females. Males are typically more severely impacted than females. Fragile X syndrome may cause significant intellectual disability, a variety of physical and behavioral characteristics, and physical manifestations. Some of the behavioral characteristics associated with Fragile X Syndrome may include learning difficulties, autistic behaviors, attention deficit disorders, and speech disturbances.

Panic Disorder
More than 3 million adults in the U.S. (1.6 percent) will be affected by panic disorder. The disorder typically begins in young adulthood, though older people and children can also be affected. Women are affected twice as frequently as men. People with panic disorder often experience brief episodes of intense fear which are accompanied by more than one physical symptom (such as heart palpitations and dizziness) that occur repeatedly and unexpectedly in the absence of any external threat. These are known as "panic attacks" and characterize panic disorder. It is thought that panic attacks happen when the brain's normal mechanism for reacting to a threat - the so-called "fight or flight" response - is inappropriately aroused. It is common for people with panic disorder to also feel anxious about the possibility of having another panic attack and therefore avoid situations in which they believe the attacks will occur again. Anxiety regarding the possibility of another attack, and the avoidance behaviors it causes, can lead to significant impairment of daily functioning.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur after a person experiences, witnesses, or simply perceives an event to be life-threatening such as natural disasters, war, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults like rape. Over 7 percent of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, with women twice as likely as men to develop symptoms. People with PTSD often relive the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and feel detached. These symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly impair the person's daily life. PTSD is complicated by the fact that it frequently occurs in conjunction with other disorders such as depression, substance abuse, or social phobias. There is no cure, but some treatments appear to be quite promising, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and exposure therapy. The most widely used drug treatments for PTSD are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac and Zoloft.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects approximately 5 percent of women of reproductive age. The exact cause of PMDD is not known, though several theories have been proposed. One theory states that women who experience PMDD may have abnormal reactions to normal hormone changes that occur with each menstrual cycle. Any woman can develop PMDD, however, those with a history of mood disorders or postpartum depression may be at an increased risk.
The primary symptoms that distinguish PMDD is the onset and duration of PMDD symptoms -- with symptoms appearing during the week before and disappearing within a few days after the onset of menses -- and the level by which these symptoms disrupt daily living tasks. Symptoms of PMDD are so severe that women have an impaired level of functioning at home, at work, and in interpersonal relationships during this symptomatic time period (this diminished level of functioning is generally in great contrast with the same woman's interactions and abilities at other times during the month.). Symptoms can include anger, agitation, heart palpitations, visual disturbances, appetite changes, headache, nausea, forgetfulness, vomiting, painful menstruation, fluid retention, etc.

Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is a major psychiatric disorder that is quite similar to schizophrenia. Essentially, people with this illness experience symptoms of both schizophrenia and affective disorders (either bipolar disorder or depression). The criteria include a period in which the affective disorder is active concurrently with two of the major symptoms of schizophrenia (such as delusions and hallucinations) are also present. Additionally, the person must experience delusions or hallucinations for a period of two weeks in the absence of any mood disorder. About 1 in every 200 people develops schizoaffective disorder during his or her life. The disorder can affect all aspects of daily living, including work, social relationships, and self-care skills. People with schizoaffective disorder may experience hallucinations and delusions, depression, low motivation, an inability to experience pleasure, and poor attention. It can be hard for the person with the disorder to distinguish between reality and fantasy. The serious nature of the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder sometimes requires patients to be hospitalized at times for treatment.
Antipsychotic medications do not cure the disorder, but they can reduce symptoms and help prevent relapses. Antidepressant medications and mood stabilizing medications are also used to treat affective symptoms (depressive or manic symptoms) in schizoaffective disorder.

Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe brain disorder which affects approximately 1 percent of the world population. Approximately 2 million people in the United States suffer from the disease in a given year. Schizophrenia is characterized by positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and markedly disorganized behavior. Negative symptoms include reduced emotional expression, social withdrawal, loss of pleasure, difficulty concentrating and/or thinking, and a lack of energy, spontaneity or initiative. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing psychotic relapses. Schizophrenia is usually treated with antipsychotic medication, and may be used in combination with psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Many scientists believe that schizophrenia results from a chemical imbalance in the brain, and are investigating various neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, glutamate and gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) in determining this imbalance.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder has symptoms similar to schizophrenia, but not as severe. It is primarily characterized by peculiarities of thinking, odd beliefs, and eccentricities of appearance, behavior, interpersonal style, and thought. Individuals with this disorder often seek isolation from others. They sometimes believe they have extra sensory abilities or that unrelated events relate to them in some important way. They generally engage in eccentric behavior and have difficulty concentrating for long periods of time. Their speech is often overly elaborate and difficult to follow. They may talk to themselves, dress inappropriately, and are very sensitive to criticism.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mood disorder associated with the seasons. The most common type of SAD is called winter depression. It usually begins in late fall or early winter and goes away by summer. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. As many as 6 of every 100 people in the United States may experience winter depression. A less common type of SAD, known as summer depression, usually begins in the late spring or early summer. SAD is more common in women than in men, and as may be expected, is more common in northern geographic regions. Symptoms may include sleep disturbances, lethargy, overeating, weight gain, depression, anxiety, irritability and decreased sex drive. Light therapy has proven effective in up to 85 percent of diagnosed cases. The non-sedative selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications are effective in alleviating the depressive symptoms of SAD and combine well with light therapy.

Suicide
Suicide accounts for nearly 30,000 deaths in the United States annually, and while it is sometimes characterized as a response to a single event or set of circumstances, it is almost always a complication of a psychiatric illness. Mood disorders account for 60% of cases, with major depression being the most common. Researchers believe that both depression and suicidal behavior can be linked to decreased serotonin in the brain. Scientists have learned that serotonin receptors in the brain increase their activity in persons with major depression and suicidality, which explains why selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs have been found effective in treating depression. Currently, studies are underway to examine to what extent medications like SSRIs can reduce suicidal behavior.
Download NARSAD's free Suicide fact sheet