Social phobia, also called Social Anxiety Disorder, is an anxiety disorder characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People with social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and of being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. Their fear may be so severe that it interferes with work,
Social phobia
A diagnosis of social phobia is made only if his avoidance, fear or anxious anticipation of a social or performance situation interferes with daily routine, occupational functioning, social life or if he is markedly distressed by having the phobia. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV-TR(tm)) provides the following criteria for diagnosing social phobia. Please note: guidelines are provided for information only; they cannot substitute a visit to a doctor or mental health practitioner.
Fear of one or more social or performance situations if the person is exposed to unfamiliar people. And the individual fears that she will behave in a manner that causes embarrassment
Exposure to social situations causes intense anxiety
The level of anxiety is recognized by the individual as excessive
The feared situation must be avoided, or endured with anxiety and distress
The avoidance, anxious anticipation, or distress interferes significantly with the person's social, academic or occupational functioning
Social phobia symptoms
school, or other activities. While many people with social phobia recognize that their fear of being around people may be excessive or unreasonable, they are unable to overcome it. They often worry for days or weeks in advance of a dreaded situation. In addition, they often experience low self-esteem and depression.
Social phobia can be limited to only one type of situation -- such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating or drinking in front of others -- or, in its most severe form, a person experiences symptoms whenever they are around other people. If left untreated, social phobia can have severe consequences. For example, it may keep people from going to work or school on some days. Many with this illness are afraid of being with people other than family members. As a result, they may have a hard time making and keeping friends.
Physical symptoms often accompany the intense anxiety of social phobia and include blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, and other symptoms of anxiety, including difficulty talking and nausea or other stomach discomfort. These visible symptoms heighten the fear of disapproval, and the symptoms themselves can become an additional focus of fear. Fear of symptoms can create a vicious cycle: as people with social phobia worry about experiencing the symptoms, the greater their chances of developing the symptoms.
Social phobia often runs in families and may be accompanied by depression or other anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some people with social phobia self medicate themselves with alcohol or other drugs, which can lead to addiction.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Kleptomania
You don't need that thing, and you can afford to buy it, but you can't help yourself: you just take it. Kleptomaniacs compulsively steal items that are not needed or have little monetary value, and experience a rush of pleasure as a result.
Kleptomania is defined by a number of features including a consistent tendency to steal items not needed for personal use or monetary value. The objects are stolen despite that they are typically of little value to the individual, who could have afforded to pay for them and often gives them away or discards them.
Another aspect of kleptomania involves experiencing tension before the theft and feelings of pleasure, gratification or relief when committing the theft. The stealing is not done to express anger or vengeance, or in response to a delusion or hallucination, and is not attributed to conduct disorder, a manic episode or antisocial personality disorder.
Occasionally the individual may hoard the stolen objects or surreptitiously return them. Although someone with this disorder will generally avoid stealing when immediate arrest is probable (such as in full view of a police officer), they usually do not plan the thefts or fully take into account the chances of apprehension. The stealing is done without collaboration with others.
Kleptomania is defined by a number of features including a consistent tendency to steal items not needed for personal use or monetary value. The objects are stolen despite that they are typically of little value to the individual, who could have afforded to pay for them and often gives them away or discards them.
Another aspect of kleptomania involves experiencing tension before the theft and feelings of pleasure, gratification or relief when committing the theft. The stealing is not done to express anger or vengeance, or in response to a delusion or hallucination, and is not attributed to conduct disorder, a manic episode or antisocial personality disorder.
Occasionally the individual may hoard the stolen objects or surreptitiously return them. Although someone with this disorder will generally avoid stealing when immediate arrest is probable (such as in full view of a police officer), they usually do not plan the thefts or fully take into account the chances of apprehension. The stealing is done without collaboration with others.
Dysthymia
Dysthymia, sometimes referred to as mild, chronic depression, is less severe than major depression. With dysthymia, the depression symptoms can linger for a long period of time, often two years or longer. Those who suffer from dysthymia can also experience periods of major depression.
What Causes Dysthymia?
Experts are not sure what causes dysthymia or depression. Genes may play a role, but many affected people will not have a family history of depression, and others with family history will not have depression problems. Changes in levels of brain chemicals are also believed to be involved. Major life stressors, chronic illness, medications, and relationship or work problems may also increase the chances of dysthymia.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Dysthymia?
The symptoms of dysthymia are the same as those of major depression but not as intense and include the following:
1.sadness or depressed mood most of the day or almost every day
2. loss of enjoyment in things that were once pleasurable
3. major change in weight (gain or loss of more than 5% of weight within a month) or appetite
4.insomnia or excessive sleep almost every day
5.physically restless or rundown that is noticeable by others
6.fatigue or loss of energy almost every day
7. feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness or excessive guilt almost every day
8.problems with concentration or making decisions almost every day
9. recurring thoughts of death or suicide, suicide plan, or suicide attempt
What Causes Dysthymia?
Experts are not sure what causes dysthymia or depression. Genes may play a role, but many affected people will not have a family history of depression, and others with family history will not have depression problems. Changes in levels of brain chemicals are also believed to be involved. Major life stressors, chronic illness, medications, and relationship or work problems may also increase the chances of dysthymia.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Dysthymia?
The symptoms of dysthymia are the same as those of major depression but not as intense and include the following:
1.sadness or depressed mood most of the day or almost every day
2. loss of enjoyment in things that were once pleasurable
3. major change in weight (gain or loss of more than 5% of weight within a month) or appetite
4.insomnia or excessive sleep almost every day
5.physically restless or rundown that is noticeable by others
6.fatigue or loss of energy almost every day
7. feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness or excessive guilt almost every day
8.problems with concentration or making decisions almost every day
9. recurring thoughts of death or suicide, suicide plan, or suicide attempt
Night Eating Syndrome
The person has little or no appetite for breakfast. Delays first meal for several hours after waking up. Is not hungry or is upset about how much was eaten the night before.
Eats more food after dinner than during that meal.
Eats more than half of daily food intake during and after dinner but before breakfast. May leave the bed to snack at night.
This pattern has persisted for at least two months.
Person feels tense, anxious, upset, or guilty while eating.
NES is thought to be stress related and is often accompanied by depression. Especially at night the person may be moody, tense, anxious, nervous, agitated, etc.
Has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Wakes frequently and then often eats.
Foods ingested are often carbohydrates: sugary and starch.
Behavior is not like binge eating which is done in relatively short episodes. Night-eating syndrome involves continual eating throughout evening hours.
This eating produces guilt and shame, not enjoyment.
Eats more food after dinner than during that meal.
Eats more than half of daily food intake during and after dinner but before breakfast. May leave the bed to snack at night.
This pattern has persisted for at least two months.
Person feels tense, anxious, upset, or guilty while eating.
NES is thought to be stress related and is often accompanied by depression. Especially at night the person may be moody, tense, anxious, nervous, agitated, etc.
Has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Wakes frequently and then often eats.
Foods ingested are often carbohydrates: sugary and starch.
Behavior is not like binge eating which is done in relatively short episodes. Night-eating syndrome involves continual eating throughout evening hours.
This eating produces guilt and shame, not enjoyment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)