Common Psychiatric Conditions
Below are brief descriptions of some common psychiatric conditions. These descriptions are based on current psychiatric thought and are used by many mental health professionals as a framework to apply the explosion of new knowledge concerning brain function and mental illness.
These descriptions are provided as a starting point for the layperson to better understand the meaning of these terms from a psychiatric viewpoint. By no means are these descriptions comprehensive, intended as medical advice, or to be used as a substitute to speaking with a mental health professional. Consulting with a mental health professional is the only valid means by which to explore treatment options - of which there are many successful approaches for each of the conditions listed - so such options are not presented in this format. N.E.L.
Psychiatric Descriptions
- generalized anxiety disorder
- panic disorder
- posttraumatic stress disorder
- social phobia
- specific phobia
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Alzheimer's disease
- vascular dementia
- anorexia nervosa
- bulimia nervosa