Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Number of Conditions: 5
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Specialty: Pediatrics
Category: Psychiatric and Behavioral Conditions
Sub-category: Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Symptoms:
excessive worry about various aspects of life; difficulty controlling worry; restlessness; fatigue; difficulty concentrating; irritability; muscle tension; sleep disturbances
Root Cause:
Overactivity in brain circuits responsible for fear and worry, influenced by genetic predisposition, environmental stressors, and chemical imbalances.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical interview and observation based on DSM-5 criteria; questionnaires like the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7).
Treatment:
Psychotherapy (especially cognitive-behavioral therapy), relaxation techniques, medications, and lifestyle adjustments such as regular physical activity.
Medications:
SSRIs like fluoxetine or escitalopram and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine . Benzodiazepines may be used short-term for acute anxiety episodes but are not recommended for long-term use in children.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 0.9%-1.9% of children and adolescents worldwide.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of anxiety or depression, exposure to stressful events, temperament (e.g., behavioral inhibition), and overprotective parenting.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate treatment, symptoms can be managed effectively, though GAD often requires ongoing monitoring and intervention due to its chronic nature.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Academic or social difficulties, depression, sleep disorders, and physical health problems like chronic headaches or stomachaches.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Specialty: Pediatrics
Category: Psychiatric and Behavioral Conditions
Sub-category: Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Symptoms:
obsessions (intrusive, unwanted thoughts); compulsions (repetitive behaviors to reduce distress); excessive handwashing; checking locks or appliances; counting or organizing items; fear of contamination; distress when routines are disrupted
Root Cause:
Dysfunction in brain circuits involving the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and striatum; linked to serotonin dysregulation and sometimes autoimmune responses (e.g., PANDAS in pediatric cases).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on DSM-5 criteria, detailed history of obsessions and compulsions, and ruling out other conditions.
Treatment:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP), medications, and family-based therapy.
Medications:
SSRIs such as fluoxetine , fluvoxamine , or sertraline are commonly prescribed to reduce the frequency and intensity of obsessions and compulsions.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1%-3% of children and adolescents worldwide.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of OCD, history of infections like streptococcal infections (linked to PANDAS), and certain temperament traits such as perfectionism.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
OCD can be chronic but is manageable with early and sustained treatment; some individuals experience significant symptom reduction, while others may have recurring episodes.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Interference with daily life, social isolation, academic or work challenges, depression, and anxiety disorders.
Depression (Late-life depression)
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Mental Health Disorders
Sub-category: Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Symptoms:
persistent sadness; loss of interest in daily activities; fatigue; irritability; difficulty concentrating; feelings of worthlessness; sleep disturbances; weight changes; thoughts of death or suicide
Root Cause:
Biochemical changes in the brain, often exacerbated by aging, social isolation, chronic illness, or loss of loved ones.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis through a clinical evaluation including patient history, physical exam, and standardized depression screening tools (e.g., Geriatric Depression Scale).
Treatment:
Psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy), antidepressant medications, social support, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
Medications:
Antidepressants such as SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine , sertraline ), SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine ), or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline ). These medications help correct the chemical imbalances in the brain associated with depression.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 10-20% of older adults, though this number may vary depending on the population studied.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age-related changes in brain chemistry, chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease), medication side effects, bereavement, isolation, and a family history of depression.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With proper treatment, symptoms often improve, but relapse is possible, especially if underlying health issues are not addressed.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of cognitive decline, disability, suicide, and poorer outcomes in managing other health conditions.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Mental Health Disorders
Sub-category: Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Symptoms:
excessive worry about a variety of topics; restlessness; fatigue; difficulty concentrating; muscle tension; sleep disturbances; irritability
Root Cause:
Dysfunctional regulation of anxiety in the brain, often linked to neurotransmitter imbalances or chronic stress.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical interview, patient history, and assessment using standardized anxiety questionnaires (e.g., GAD-7).
Treatment:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, lifestyle changes, medication.
Medications:
SSRIs (e.g., sertraline ), SNRIs (e.g., duloxetine ), or benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam ) for short-term relief. These medications help regulate mood and anxiety levels.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Around 4-6% of the general population, with a higher prevalence in older adults due to stressors of aging and chronic illness.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, chronic medical conditions, prolonged stress, previous mental health issues.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Treatment can significantly reduce symptoms, but GAD may be chronic, requiring ongoing management.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Impaired daily functioning, poor quality of life, increased risk for depression, and physical health problems such as cardiovascular issues due to chronic stress.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Mental Health Disorders
Sub-category: Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Symptoms:
intrusive memories or flashbacks of traumatic events; nightmares; avoidance of reminders of trauma; emotional numbness; hyperarousal (e.g., difficulty sleeping, irritability); heightened startle response
Root Cause:
The brain's stress response system becomes overactive due to a past traumatic event, leading to long-term anxiety and distress.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis through a comprehensive evaluation, often using PTSD-specific questionnaires (e.g., PTSD Checklist) and clinical interviews.
Treatment:
Trauma-focused therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), medications for anxiety or depression, and stress management.
Medications:
SSRIs (e.g., sertraline , paroxetine ) for mood stabilization, SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine ) for anxiety symptoms, and benzodiazepines (e.g., clonazepam ) for short-term relief of severe anxiety.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Around 3-4% of the general population; higher prevalence in veterans and survivors of significant trauma, including older adults who have experienced multiple traumas.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous traumatic experiences, lack of social support, history of mental health disorders, ongoing stress, and chronic medical conditions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate treatment, symptoms can be managed, though some individuals may experience long-term effects.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of depression, substance abuse, physical health problems (e.g., heart disease), and impaired social and occupational functioning.