Anxiety
This is the major inhibitory (calming) neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS)
GABA
Ritualistic behavior individuals feel driven to perform in an attempt to reduce anxiety or prevent an imagined calamity. Performing the act temporarily reduces anxiety, but because the relief is only temporary, the compulsive act must be repeated again and again.
compulsion
The name for a growth of fine, downy hair that may be present on the face and back of a patient with anorexia who is underweight.
lanugo
This CDC- Kaiser Permanente study is one of the largest studies of childhood and adolescent abuse and neglect and subsequent adult health and well-being.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (or ACE)
This class of controlled medication is used to treat anxiety or panic symptoms. There is potential for misuse, and with routine use physical dependence develops. For this reason, patients receiving high dosages or extended duration of therapy must have their doses gradually tapered to avoid withdrawal symptoms
benzodiazepines
This response is triggered by the release of hormones; it is what happens to keep us safe in what we've perceived as a dangerous situation
fight or flight response
Thoughts, impulses or images that persist and recur so that they cannot be dismissed from the mind even though the individual attempts to do so.
obsessions
ingestion of substances that have no nutritional value such as dirt, paint, or laundry detergent.
pica
Individuals with this disorder show an inappropriate degree of inattention, impulsiveness, and/or hyperactivity.
attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (or ADHD)
This class of medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADHD and commonly has side effects which may include insomnia, appetite suppression, headache, abdominal pain, & lethargy.
stimulants
Automatic coping styles that protect people for anxiety and enable them to maintain their self-image by blocking feelings, conflicts, and memories.
defense mechanisms
This method of psychological therapy exposes the patient to a large amount of undesirable stimulus in an effort to extinguish the response. The patient learns through prolonged exposure that survival is possible and that anxiety diminishes spontaneously.
flooding
individuals with this disorder engage in episodes of increased intake that occur beyond the point of satiety and cause distress afterward; however, they do not regularly use the compensatory behaviors that are seen in patients with bulimia nervosa.
binge-eating disorder
A complex neurobiological and developmental disability that typically appears during a child's first 3 years of life
autism spectrum disorder
This medication class may be used to treat anxiety disorders if the first course of treatment is ineffective. They work by reducing the physical manifestations of anxiety- slowing the heart rate and reducing blushing.
beta-blockers
Fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment.
agoraphobia
This disorder involves the body-focused repetitive behavior of pulling out their hair (this could include hair of the head, eyebrows, eyelashes, pubic areas, axillae, and limbs)
trichotillomania
Russell's sign
This psychological therapy may be used as a treatment modality in autism spectrum disorder. It encourages positive behaviors and discourages negative behaviors.
Applied Behavior Analysis (or ABA)
These two types of antidepressant medication also have FDA approval for the treatment of OCD.
SSRIs & tricyclic antidepressants
For these levels of anxiety, the individuals are unable to solve problems and are out of control. They need to know that they are safe from their own impulses. Firm, short, and simple statements are useful
Severe to Panic levels of anxiety
In this disorder, the individual may experience false assumptions about the importance of appearance, fear of rejection by others, perfectionism, and the conviction of being disfigured which may lead to overwhelming emotions of disgust, shame, and depression.
Body dysmorphic disorder
this is caused by the sudden introduction of glucose after a prolonged state of starvation such as anorexia nervosa.
refeeding syndrome
The involuntary outburst of obscene words or socially inappropriate derogatory remarks that occurs in less than 10% or cases of Tourette's disorder
coprolalia
This SSRI antidepressant is the only FDA approved medication for the treatment of bulimia nervosa in adult patients.
Fluoxetine (or Prozac)