Neurodevelopmental and Neurocognitive Disorders

Neurodevelopmental and Neurocognitive Disorders involve impairments in the growth and development of the brain or nervous system, which lead to challenges in areas like learning, communication, movement, and executive functions. Neurodevelopmental Disorders (like ADHD and ASD) typically manifest early in life and involve difficulties in acquiring skills, while Neurocognitive Disorders involve a decline in previously attained cognitive function (like Major or Mild Neurocognitive Disorder). Both categories reflect conditions where abnormal brain function significantly impacts a person’s social, academic, or occupational life.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by a persistent, impairing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is excessive and inappropriate for the individual’s developmental level.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

Symptoms, which appear in early development, can include difficulties with back-and-forth conversation, nonverbal communication (like eye contact), and developing/maintaining relationships, alongside sensory issues, repetitive movements, and rigid adherence to routines.

Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by three key features:

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by:

Recurrent episodes of binge eating (eating an unusually large amount of food in a short period with a sense of lack of control).
Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain (such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise).

The binging and compensating behaviors must occur, on average, at least once a week for three months. A person’s self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.

Binge-Eating Disorder

Binge-Eating Disorder is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating (consuming an unusually large amount of food in a short period with a sense of lack of control).

- Unlike Bulimia Nervosa, these episodes are not regularly followed by compensatory behaviors (like purging or excessive exercise). The binges are typically associated with marked distress and feelings of guilt or disgust.

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

DID (formerly called Multiple Personality Disorder) is a dissociative disorder defined by the presence of two or more distinct personality states or identities (sometimes called “alters”) that recurrently take control of the person’s behavior.

It is also characterized by recurrent gaps in the recall of everyday events, important personal information, and/or traumatic events that is inconsistent with ordinary forgetfulness. It is strongly linked to severe, early-childhood trauma.

Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder

This is a dissociative disorder characterized by persistent or recurrent episodes of depersonalization and/or derealization.

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) involves one or more distressing or disrupting somatic (bodily) symptoms accompanied by excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the symptoms or associated health concerns.

The key is the excessive and maladaptive response to the physical symptom, which may or may not be medically explained. The individual experiences persistent high anxiety about their health or symptoms.

Illness Anxiety Disorder (Hypochondriasis)

Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD) is characterized by a preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious, undiagnosed illness.

The primary difference from SSD is that somatic symptoms are mild or absent. The anxiety is disproportionate and persistent despite medical evaluation and reassurance. The former term for this condition was “hypochondriasis.”

Sleep-Wake Disorders

Insomnia

Insomnia Disorder is defined as a persistent dissatisfaction with the quantity or quality of sleep, associated with one or more of the following: