Glossary of terms

Asperger disorder

a type of pervasive developmental disorder that is characterized by severe and sustained impairment in social interaction and the development of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

a behavior disorder, usually first diagnosed in childhood, that is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and, in some cases, hyperactivity

See also Neurology

binge eating disorder

a disorder that resembles bulimia nervosa and is characterized by episodes of uncontrolled eating (or bingeing). It differs from bulimia, however, because its sufferers do not purge their bodies of the excess food, via vomiting, laxative abuse, or diuretic abuse.

bulimia nervosa (also known as bulimia)

a disease in which there is uncontrolled episodes of overeating that are usually followed with purging (self-induced vomiting), misuse of laxatives, enemas, medications, fasting, or excessive exercise to decrease weight

communication disorders

a group of developmental disorders that include expressive language disorder, which focuses on developmental delays and difficulties in the ability to produce speech, and mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, which focuses on developmental delays and difficulties in the ability to understand spoken language and produce speech.

See also Rehabilitative services

depression

an emotional state or mood disorder characterized by extreme feelings of sadness, lack of self-worth, dejection, and emptiness.

disintegrative psychosis (also called childhood disintegrative disorder.)

one type of pervasive developmental disorder that is characterized by a marked regression in multiple areas of functioning following a period of at least two years of apparently normal development

major depression (also called clinical depression or unipolar depression)

a type of affective disorder (or mood disorder) that goes beyond the day's ordinary ups and downs. Characterized by a depressed or irritable mood, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, disturbances in sleep, appetite changes, fatigue, suicidal thoughts, feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and worthlessness may also be present.

manic depression (also known as bipolar disorder)

a type of affective disorder (or mood disorder) that goes beyond the day's ordinary ups and downs. Manic depression is characterized by periodic episodes of extreme elation, elevated mood, or irritability (also called mania) countered by periodic, classic depressive symptoms.

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

an anxiety disorder in which a person has an unreasonable thought, fear, or worry that he/she tries to manage through a ritualized activity to reduce the anxiety. Frequently occurring disturbing thoughts or images are called obsessions, and the rituals performed to try to prevent or dispel them are called compulsions.

oppositional defiant disorder

negative, defiant behavior lasting six months or longer

See also Managing early childhood behavior problems

pervasive developmental disorders

severe problems in a variety of areas, such as social interaction, communication and behavioral flexibility

See also NeurologyRehabilitative services

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

an anxiety disorder characterized by a terrifying physical or emotional event (trauma) causing the person who survived the event to have persistent, frightening thoughts and memories, or flashbacks, of the ordeal. Persons with PTSD often feel chronically, emotionally numb.

Rett syndrome

One type of pervasive developmental disorder that occurs most often in girls and is characterized by the development of multiple specific deficits following a period of normal functioning after birth.

schizophrenia

one of the most complex of all mental health disorders, characterized by distorted thinking, strange feelings, and unusual behavior and use of language; involves a severe, chronic, and disabling disturbance of the brain.