It's All in the Genes
Characterized by persistent deficits in social interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, this disorder is highly heritable, with studies showing genetic factors contribute up to 90% of the risk.
What is Autism?
Often mistaken for a personality trait or “just being down,” this chronic condition involves low mood for at least two years, along with symptoms like low self-esteem and poor concentration.
What is Persistent Personality Disorder or Dysthymia?
Marked by aggression, rule-breaking, and violation of others’ rights, this disorder often begins before age 10 and is a key risk factor for developing Antisocial Personality Disorder in adulthood.
What is Conduct Disorder?
Often beginning in childhood or adolescence, with a typical onset before age 25, this disorder is marked by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing distress.
What is OCD?
The main character in Silver-Linings Playbook exhibits hallmark symptoms of this disorder, including pressured speech, grandiosity, irritability, racing thoughts, and impulsive behavior—alongside episodes of low motivation and insomnia
What is Bi-polar Disorder?
Marked by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, this disorder has a strong genetic basis—first-degree relatives have a tenfold increased risk of developing it.
What is Schizophrenia?
Often mistaken for mere shyness or social anxiety, this disorder includes deep-seated fears of rejection, feelings of inadequacy, and avoidance of interpersonal contact—even when the person craves connection.
What is Avoidant Personality Disorder?
Typically emerging before age 8, this disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of angry outbursts, defiance toward authority figures, and vindictiveness that goes beyond typical childhood misbehavior.
What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
Commonly emerging during the late teen years and early 20s, this group of disorders is marked by compulsive behavior around the use of alcohol or drugs, despite negative impacts on health and functioning.
What are Substance Use Disorders?
In To the Bone, this eating disorder—marked by intense fear of gaining weight, body image distortion, and severe calorie restriction—is portrayed through the character of Ellen.
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Strongly influenced by genetics, this condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity often runs in families, with heritability estimates around 70 to 80%.
What is ADHD?
Frequently misdiagnosed, this mood disorder can involve subtle episodes of elevated energy, impulsive decision-making, and reduced need for sleep—features that are often dismissed or seen as personality quirks.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
DAILY DOUBLE! One of these disorders is marked by overly familiar behavior with unfamiliar adults and results from severe social neglect, while the other involves intense fear and distress when separated from primary caregivers. Name both.
What is Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder and Separation Anxiety?
While most commonly diagnosed after age 65, this progressive condition affecting memory and cognition can also appear earlier in rare cases of "early-onset" forms.
What is Dementia or Major Neuro Cognitive Disorder?
In this 2010 psychological thriller Black Swam, Natalie Portman’s ballerina descends into delusion and hallucination, blurring the line between reality and performance portraying this mental health disorder.
What is Psychosis?
This common mood disorder, marked by persistent sadness and loss of interest, has a genetic component—first-degree relatives have a 2 to 3 times higher risk of developing it.
What is depression?
Often missed in clinical settings, this condition can present as emotional numbness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and exaggerated startle responses—symptoms that may be mistaken for anxiety or ADHD.
What is PTSD?
Distinguished from normative stress responses by functional impairment and disproportionate emotional or behavioral symptoms, this diagnosis, typically given in childhood or adolescence, must occur within three months of an identifiable psychosocial stressor and resolve within six months after the stressor or its consequences have ended.
What is Adjustment Disorder?
Typically first appearing in early adulthood, often between ages 20 and 30, this mental illness combines mood disorder symptoms with psychotic features like delusions or hallucinations.
What is Schizoaffective Disorder?
Though often played for laughs, this 2003 Adam Sandler film centers on a man with sudden, disproportionate outbursts of rage—mirroring key symptoms of a disorder marked by impulsive aggression and verbal or physical explosions.
What is Intermittent Explosive Disorder?
With heritability estimates around 30%, this condition involves chronic, excessive worry across multiple domains of life and often emerges in early adulthood, sometimes running in families
What is Generalized Anxiety?
Commonly associated with arrogance, this personality disorder is often missed when symptoms like deep sensitivity to criticism, fragile self-esteem, and covert feelings of inadequacy are hidden beneath a confident façade.
What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Typically diagnosed before age 5, this disorder is often confused with autism spectrum disorder, but unlike autism, it stems from severe neglect and is characterized by emotionally withdrawn behavior specifically in response to caregiving relationships.
What is Reactive Attachment Disorder?
Often emerging in young adulthood, typically between ages 18 and 30, this seasonal subtype of depression is linked to reduced sunlight exposure during fall and winter months.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
DAILY DOUBLE! Often cited in psychology textbooks, this notorious serial killer exhibited hallmark traits of this disorder including superficial charm, deceitfulness, lack of remorse, and repeated violation of the rights of others.
Who is Ted Bundy and what is Antisocial Personality Disorder?