Trichotillomania is psychiatrically classified as subtype of obsessive compulsive disorder characterized chiefly by the urge to pull out one’s own hair. The condition, also known as “hair pulling disorder,” affects upwards of 2.5 million individuals in the United States at some point during their lives. Onset of trichotillomania occurs most frequently between 9 and 13 …
Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is regarded as a subtype of impulse control disorder characterized by impulsive, uncontrollable explosive outbursts of anger, aggression, and/or rage – sometimes accompanied by violence. To be considered intermittent explosive disorder, the explosive outbursts of anger must be triggered in situations and/or conditions in which such anger is unjustified. In other …
Caffeine is considered a naturally occurring CNS stimulant and is classified as a methylxanthine drug. Over 60 species of plants contain caffeine, most notably: coffee seeds (i.e. “beans”) and tea leaves. It is estimated that 80% (4/5) adults in the United States consume caffeine on a daily basis, and 90% of people throughout the world …
Risperdal (Risperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that has been approved since 1994 for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, as well as certain cases of autism. It functions as an antagonist of the neurotransmitter dopamine. By acting as an antagonist, it reduces overall dopamine activity in the brain and helps eliminate many of the …
Imagine if you could control your genetic expression just by thinking certain thoughts. Many New Age belief systems preach that thoughts create your reality and that by changing your thinking, you can change your entire life. Although there is subtle evidence for those claims, the evidence isn’t fully supported by science. However, based on new research, …
Anxiety can be caused by a variety of different things. For one individual, the cause may be from genetics – this is often the case among individuals with a family history of anxiety disorders. For another person, the cause of anxiety may be a demanding job or abusive relationship. In each individual scenario, it can …
Reward deficiency syndrome (RDS) is a psychological theory first noted by Kenneth Blum in 1996. It is characterized by reward-seeking behavior and/or addictions, stemming from genetic variations, most notably resulting from those carrying the D2A1 allele. People carrying the A1 allele tend to have insufficient numbers of D2 receptors in their brain, resulting in lack …