While alcohol abuse is commonly recognized by the general public as a prevalent disorder, the severity of its consequences is often underestimated. 200,000 deaths per year are directly related to alcohol use. 50% of homicides and automobile fatalities involve alcohol consumption. And alcohol abuse in general reduces life expectancy by an average of ten years.

20% of men and 10% of women suffer from alcoholism at some point during their lifetimes. Research suggests a strong genetic component: there is a three to fourfold higher risk of alcoholism in close relatives of alcoholics. The rate of occurrence increases with the number of alcoholic relatives, the severity of their illnesses, and the closeness of their genetic relationships. Children at risk for alcoholism also possess a range of deficits on neurocognitive testing.

The effects of alcoholism present themselves in many warning signs. An alcoholic might show a repeated inability to stop or cut down on drinking, sporadic two day binges of intoxication, amnestic periods (blackouts), work absences or frequent tardiness, uncharacteristic violent behavior, driving while intoxicated, or even simply trying to restrict intake to specific periods during the day.

An alcohol-related disorder diagnosis requires one of the following: a need for daily use of large amounts of alcohol; a regular pattern of heavy drinking limited to weekends; or periods of sobriety interspersed with alcohol binges lasting weeks or even months.
Short term symptoms include:

• Irritability
• Violence
• Depression

Long term symptoms include:

• Increased risk of heart attack
• Increased blood pressure
• Liver damage (inflammation and cirrhosis)
• Gastrointestinal damage (inflammation and ulcers)
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Hyperactivity of the nervous system
• Decreased brain functioning because of stiff neuron membranes

There is a normal level of anxiety that occurs in situations that warrant fear: having to give a speech in front of a large group or a car narrowly missing you when riding a bike. Abnormal anxiety is when you experience symptoms in an everyday situation, like getting on the subway or going to a social event with close friends.

Types of Anxiety Disorders:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Panic Disorder
• Acute Stress Disorder
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Phobias

Core symptoms include:

• Nervousness, worry or fear persistent enough to cause some level of functional impairment
• Shame and confusion

Take an Anxiety screening quiz

Learn more about Anxiety Disorders

ADD/ADHD is a disorder that can afflict both children and adults and is generally defined by the three symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. These symptoms tend to manifest themselves in academic or workplace difficulties—it is harder for a person with ADHD to acquire, retain and display knowledge on a consistent basis.

Symptoms include:

• Feeling restless
• Fidgeting
• Interrupting others
• Difficulty waiting in line
• Difficulty being quiet, even in quiet situations
• Emotional instability
• Aggressive defiance

Take an adult Attention Deficit Disorder screening quiz

Learn more about ADHD

Bipolar disorder, in simple terms, is a condition where the individual suffers from severe mood swings. The depressive state is characterized by hopelessness and a lack of energy—its clinical features are indistinguishable from major depressive disorder. In fact, depression is frequently the first symptom of bipolar disorder. The manic state may involve feelings of euphoria, excessive goal-driven activity, limitless energy and an inability to sleep. The time between mood shifts depends on the person. It is possible for individuals to experience mixed states with both manic and depressive features (i.e., sad but can’t sleep; hopeless, but going on gambling binges), and some even experience brief—minutes to a few hours—episodes of depression during manic episodes.

Take a Bipolar screening quiz

Learn more about Bipolar Disorder

Unfortunately eating disorders are very common in our society, and both men and women can suffer from them. The two most common disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia is characterized by a person refusing to eat, being terrified of gaining weight, and never feeling “thin enough.” Bulimia is characterized by a person bingeing on a large amount of food and then purging, or throwing up that food. Other less severe eating disorders can include binge eating and eating when depressed or bored.

Take an Eating Disorder screening quiz

Depression is the most common mood disorder in the world; between 10 and 20% of the U.S. population experiences depression at some point. When feelings of sadness, worthlessness, hopelessness and guilt begin to interfere with your life for weeks or months at a time, you may need to seek help for depression. It is also common for patients to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol before seeking help.

Symptoms include:

• Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
• Lack of motivation
• Loss of interest in fun activities
• Decreased sex drive
• Decreased energy
• Insomnia OR oversleeping
• Restlessness, irritability
• Headaches/bodyaches that do not respond to treatment
• Fluctuating eating habits

Take a Depression screening quiz

Learn more about Depression

Personality disorders are defined as long-lasting patterns of thought and/or behaviors that can be considered harmful to the person. Generally these disorders are not diagnosed until a person is in their 20s to 30s because these traits are often considered personality flaws or quirks.

Types of Personality Disorders:

• Antisocial Personality Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Dependent Personality Disorder
• Multiple Personality or Dissociative Identity Disorder
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCD)
• Paranoid Personality Disorder

Take an OCD screening quiz

Schizophrenia is often a misunderstood psychiatric condition that can be scary or confusing to friends and family. Symptoms of schizophrenia include disorganized or confusing speech, lack of emotions, hallucinations and delusions. Though there is no cure, it can be managed through therapy and medication.

Take a Schizophrenia screening quiz

Sleep disorders are quite common. The most common sleep disorder is insomnia—difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep. Insomnia is estimated to affect 30-45% of adults and is most frequently caused by anxiety. Other causes include environmental changes and, if the problem is remaining asleep, depression. Patients are often preoccupied with getting enough sleep; the harder they try, the greater their frustration, making sleep more and more elusive. Studies have found both psychopharmacology and certain dietary supplements can ease the symptoms of insomnia.Other common sleep disorders include sleep apnea, narcolepsy and restless legs syndrome.

Sleep disorders may produce additional harmful side effects for our youth. A 2013 study in the scientific journal Pediatrics has linked a lack of sleep to adolescent obesity. Researchers found that additional sleep reduces body mass index, and that the heavier the child, the greater the benefit.