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Bulimia Nervosa
Last Updated: October 28, 2025Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors—such as self-induced vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives or diuretics—to prevent weight gain. These behaviors typically occur at least once a week for three months and are accompanied by an intense preoccupation with body shape and weight. Unlike anorexia nervosa, individuals with bulimia usually maintain a body weight within or above the normal range, which can make the disorder less visible but equally dangerous. Treatment emphasizes interrupting the binge–purge cycle, normalizing eating patterns, addressing cognitive distortions about weight and control, and improving emotion regulation and self-worth.
Anorexia Nervosa
Last Updated: October 9, 2025Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a serious eating disorder characterized by persistent restriction of energy intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of body image. Individuals with anorexia often experience a relentless pursuit of thinness and significant distress about weight or shape, even when underweight. This condition can lead to severe medical complications, including electrolyte imbalance, cardiac abnormalities, bone density loss, and multi-organ dysfunction. Treatment focuses on medical stabilization, weight restoration, nutritional rehabilitation, and addressing cognitive and emotional factors underlying restrictive eating and body image disturbance.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Last Updated: October 28, 2025Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is characterized by pervasive patterns of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. Beneath this self-enhancing presentation often lies deep insecurity, fragile self-esteem, and sensitivity to perceived criticism or failure. Individuals with NPD may oscillate between self-importance and shame, struggle to maintain stable relationships, and experience intense anger or withdrawal when confronted with rejection or limits. Effective therapy focuses on building self-awareness, regulating affect, developing empathy, and integrating a more stable sense of self that is less dependent on external validation.
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Last Updated: October 28, 2025Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD) is characterized by pervasive social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. Individuals with AvPD long for connection yet often avoid social or occupational settings due to fear of rejection, embarrassment, or criticism. This leads to chronic loneliness, low self-esteem, and functional impairment. While AvPD shares features with Social Anxiety Disorder, it reflects a broader and more enduring pattern of interpersonal avoidance and self-concept disturbance. Effective treatment emphasizes gradual exposure, cognitive restructuring, self-compassion development, and relational safety within the therapeutic alliance.
Illness Anxiety Disorder
Last Updated: October 28, 2025Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD), previously known as hypochondriasis, is characterized by a preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious medical illness despite minimal or no somatic symptoms. Individuals frequently engage in excessive health-related behaviors—such as body checking, repeated reassurance seeking, or compulsive online research—or may avoid medical care entirely out of fear. Symptoms persist for at least six months and cause significant distress or impairment. Treatment focuses on reducing health-related anxiety, restructuring catastrophic interpretations of bodily sensations, and promoting adaptive coping rather than reassurance-seeking cycles.
Acute Stress Disorder
Last Updated: October 28, 2025Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is a trauma- and stressor-related condition that develops within days or weeks following exposure to a traumatic event. It is characterized by intrusive memories, dissociation, avoidance, negative mood, and heightened arousal lasting from three days to one month after the trauma. While many individuals recover naturally over time, ASD significantly increases the risk of developing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) if symptoms persist or remain untreated. Early, evidence-based intervention focuses on stabilization, psychoeducation, and targeted therapies that promote safety, grounding, and adaptive coping.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Last Updated: October 28, 2025Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), formerly known as dysthymia, is characterized by a chronic depressed mood lasting for at least two years in adults (or one year in children and adolescents), accompanied by symptoms such as low energy, poor concentration, hopelessness, low self-esteem, and changes in sleep or appetite. Although the symptoms are often less severe than those seen in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), their chronic nature leads to significant distress and functional impairment. Many individuals experience periods of “double depression,” where major depressive episodes occur on top of a persistent low mood. Treatment emphasizes behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, and long-term skills to prevent relapse and improve quality of life.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Last Updated: October 28, 2025Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by pervasive instability in emotions, relationships, self-image, and impulse control. Individuals often experience intense fear of abandonment, rapidly shifting moods, chronic feelings of emptiness, and difficulty regulating anger or distress. Self-harming behaviors and suicidal ideation are common, particularly in response to perceived rejection or loss. Effective treatment focuses on developing emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal stability through structured, evidence-based psychotherapy.
Bipolar II Disorder
Last Updated: October 28, 2025Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by a pattern of recurrent depressive episodes and at least one hypomanic episode—defined as a distinct period of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least four consecutive days, without the full intensity or impairment of mania. While individuals with Bipolar II do not experience manic episodes, their depressive episodes are often more frequent and functionally impairing than in Bipolar I. The focus of treatment is long-term mood stabilization, prevention of relapse, and development of self-management strategies for energy, sleep, and emotion regulation.
Bipolar I Disorder
Last Updated: October 28, 2025Bipolar I Disorder is characterized by one or more manic episodes, often alternating with major depressive episodes or periods of euthymic mood. Manic episodes involve abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, impulsivity, and risk-taking behaviors lasting at least one week (or requiring hospitalization). Depressive episodes mirror those seen in Major Depressive Disorder. The primary treatment goal is mood stabilization—reducing episode frequency, intensity, and functional impairment through structured psychotherapy and coordinated medical management.