Conditions Library

A comprehensive, evidence-based guide to psychiatric conditions

Each entry covers causes, brain mechanisms, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, medications, psychotherapy, lifestyle advice, prognosis, family guidance and frequently asked questions. This library is being expanded continuously — new conditions are added regularly.

Conditions at a Glance

A quick-reference summary of every condition in this library — category, a key symptom and the primary treatment approach.

ConditionCategoryKey SymptomPrimary Treatment
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)Anxiety DisordersExcessive worry about multiple things (work, health, family, finances) most days for 6+ monthsCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Panic DisorderAnxiety DisordersSudden surge of intense fear or discomfort peaking within minutesCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Panic AttacksAnxiety DisordersRacing or pounding heartbeatPsychoeducation
Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)Anxiety DisordersIntense fear of speaking, performing, or eating in front of othersCognitive Behavioral Therapy (individual or group)
AgoraphobiaAnxiety DisordersAvoiding buses, trains, planes, or driving long distancesGraded exposure therapy
Specific PhobiasAnxiety DisordersImmediate, intense fear or anxiety on exposure to the specific object or situationIn vivo (real-life) graded exposure
Separation Anxiety DisorderAnxiety DisordersRecurrent, excessive distress when separation from home or attachment figures occurs or is anticipatedCognitive Behavioral Therapy
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)Obsessive-Compulsive and Related DisordersContamination obsessions (fear of germs, dirt, illness) with washing or cleaning compulsionsExposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)Obsessive-Compulsive and Related DisordersPreoccupation with perceived flaws in skin, hair, nose, or other featuresCognitive Behavioral Therapy for BDD
Hoarding DisorderObsessive-Compulsive and Related DisordersPersistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions regardless of valueSpecialized CBT for hoarding
Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)Obsessive-Compulsive and Related DisordersRecurrent pulling of hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other body areasHabit Reversal Training (HRT)
Excoriation (Skin-Picking) DisorderObsessive-Compulsive and Related DisordersRecurrent picking at skin, most commonly the face, arms, or handsHabit Reversal Training (HRT)
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)Depressive DisordersDepressed mood most of the day, nearly every dayCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)Depressive DisordersChronic low mood present most of the day, more days than notCognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP)
Postpartum DepressionDepressive DisordersPersistent sadness or low mood beyond the first two weeks after deliveryInterpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Depressive DisordersWinter pattern (most common): low mood, low energy and fatigue, increased sleep (hypersomnia), increased appetite with carbohydrate cravings, weight gain, and social withdrawalLight therapy (bright light box)
Bipolar I DisorderBipolar and Related DisordersManic episode: elevated, expansive, or irritable mood with high energyPsychoeducation
Bipolar II DisorderBipolar and Related DisordersHypomanic episode: elevated, expansive, or irritable mood with increased energyPsychoeducation
Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)Bipolar and Related DisordersNumerous periods resembling hypomania — elevated mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep — but not lasting the full four days or reaching full severityPsychoeducation
SchizophreniaPsychotic DisordersHallucinations, most commonly auditory (hearing voices)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp)
Schizoaffective DisorderPsychotic DisordersPsychotic symptoms: hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech or behaviorCognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis
Brief Psychotic DisorderPsychotic DisordersSudden onset of delusions and/or hallucinationsSupportive psychotherapy
Delusional DisorderPsychotic DisordersPersecutory delusions (belief of being conspired against, followed, or harmed) — the most common subtypeSupportive psychotherapy
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Trauma and Stressor-Related DisordersIntrusive distressing memories, flashbacks, or nightmares of the traumatic eventTrauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Acute Stress DisorderTrauma and Stressor-Related DisordersIntrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares of the traumaTrauma-focused CBT
Complex PTSDTrauma and Stressor-Related DisordersCore PTSD symptoms: re-experiencing, avoidance, hypervigilance and a persistent sense of current threatPhase-based trauma treatment
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)Neurodevelopmental DisordersDifficulty sustaining attention on tasks or activitiesBehavioral parent training
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)Neurodevelopmental DisordersReduced social-emotional reciprocity, such as difficulty with back-and-forth conversation or reduced sharing of interests and emotionsApplied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder)Neurodevelopmental DisordersBelow-average intellectual functioning affecting reasoning, problem-solving, and abstract thinkingEarly intervention services
Specific Learning DisorderNeurodevelopmental DisordersInaccurate, slow, or effortful word readingStructured literacy / evidence-based reading intervention
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)Personality DisordersFrantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonmentDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)Personality DisordersGrandiose sense of self-importanceTransference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP)
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)Personality DisordersRepeated unlawful behaviorCognitive Behavioral Therapy for specific problem behaviors
Avoidant Personality Disorder (AVPD)Personality DisordersAvoidance of jobs or activities involving significant interpersonal contactCognitive Behavioral Therapy
Insomnia DisorderSleep-Wake DisordersDifficulty falling asleep (sleep-onset insomnia)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
ParasomniasSleep-Wake DisordersSleepwalking: rising from bed and walking with a blank, unresponsive expression, sometimes performing complex behaviors, difficult to awaken, no memory of the episodeImage Rehearsal Therapy
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake DisordersSleep-Wake DisordersDelayed Sleep-Wake Phase: difficulty falling asleep until very late, difficulty waking for early obligations, but normal sleep quality if allowed to sleep on a preferred scheduleChronotherapy
Alcohol Use DisorderSubstance Use and Addictive DisordersDrinking more or for longer than intendedMotivational Interviewing
Nicotine Dependence (Tobacco Use Disorder)Substance Use and Addictive DisordersStrong urges or cravings to use tobaccoBehavioral/cessation counseling
Cannabis Use DisorderSubstance Use and Addictive DisordersStrong cravings for cannabisMotivational Enhancement Therapy
Opioid Use DisorderSubstance Use and Addictive DisordersStrong cravings for opioidsContingency management
Internet Addiction (Problematic Internet Use)Substance Use and Addictive DisordersPreoccupation with internet use, thinking about previous or anticipated online activityCognitive Behavioral Therapy adapted for internet/technology use
Gaming DisorderSubstance Use and Addictive DisordersImpaired control over gaming — unable to reduce or stop despite attempts, or unable to limit session duration as intendedCognitive Behavioral Therapy adapted for gaming behavior
Suicide Prevention and Crisis SupportSuicide Prevention and Crisis SupportTalking about wanting to die or wishing to not existSafety Planning Intervention
Anorexia NervosaEating DisordersPersistent restriction of food intake leading to significantly low body weight for age, sex, and developmental contextFamily-Based Treatment (FBT / Maudsley approach)
Bulimia NervosaEating DisordersRecurrent binge eating episodes with a sense of loss of controlCognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E)
Binge Eating DisorderEating DisordersRecurrent binge eating episodes with a sense of loss of controlCognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E)
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)Eating DisordersSignificantly limited range of accepted foods, often based on texture, color, brand, or presentationCognitive Behavioral Therapy adapted for ARFID (CBT-AR)
Somatic Symptom DisorderSomatic Symptom and Related DisordersOne or more persistent physical symptoms — pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal complaints, or others — causing distress or functional impairmentCognitive Behavioral Therapy
Illness Anxiety DisorderSomatic Symptom and Related DisordersPersistent preoccupation with having or developing a serious illnessCognitive Behavioral Therapy
Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)Somatic Symptom and Related DisordersWeakness or paralysis of a limb or body partCognitive Behavioral Therapy adapted for functional neurological symptoms
Factitious DisorderSomatic Symptom and Related DisordersPresenting fabricated, exaggerated, or self-induced physical or psychological symptomsPsychotherapy addressing underlying psychological needs
DeliriumPsychiatric EmergenciesSudden onset of confusion and disorientation to time, place, or personReorientation strategies
Serotonin SyndromePsychiatric EmergenciesMild: tremor, restlessness, diarrhea, sweating, mild increase in heart rateNot applicable to the acute medical emergency itself
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)Psychiatric EmergenciesSevere, generalized muscle rigidity, often described as 'lead-pipe' rigidityNot applicable to the acute medical emergency
Acute Agitation and Behavioral EmergencyPsychiatric EmergenciesRestlessness, pacing, and inability to sit stillDe-escalation and calm communication techniques
Erectile Dysfunction (ED)Sexual DysfunctionsDifficulty achieving an erection sufficient for penetrationCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Premature Ejaculation (PE)Sexual DysfunctionsEjaculation consistently occurring sooner than desired during partnered sexStop-start technique
Anger Management & Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct DisordersRecurrent outbursts of anger, verbal aggression, or physical aggression toward people, animals, or propertyCBT-based anger management counseling
Depersonalization-Derealization DisorderDissociative DisordersFeeling detached from your own thoughts, feelings, body, or actions, as though observing yourself from outside or watching a movie of your own lifeCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) adapted for dissociative symptoms
Migraine & Tension-Type HeadacheHeadache DisordersMigraine: moderate-to-severe, often one-sided, throbbing headache lasting hours to a few daysCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for chronic pain and headache
Major Neurocognitive Disorder (Dementia)Neurocognitive DisordersProgressive memory loss that disrupts daily life, particularly for recent eventsCognitive stimulation therapy
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)Neurocognitive DisordersNoticeably more forgetful than before, such as misplacing items more often or repeating questionsCognitive rehabilitation strategies
Postpartum PsychosisPsychiatric EmergenciesRapid onset of confusion or disorientation within days to a few weeks of deliveryStructured family involvement and psychoeducation
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)Depressive DisordersMarked mood swings (suddenly feeling sad, tearful, or sensitive to rejection)Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Gambling DisorderSubstance Use and Addictive DisordersPreoccupation with gambling — reliving past experiences, planning the next gambling episode, or thinking about ways to get money to gambleCognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct DisordersFrequently loses temperParent management training / behavioural parent training
Conduct DisorderDisruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct DisordersBullies, threatens or intimidates othersParent management training and family therapy
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)Personality DisordersPreoccupation with details, rules, lists, order or schedules to the extent the main point of an activity is lostCognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

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