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Delusional disorder is characterized by nonbizarre delusions without other psychotic symptoms. It is rare, its course is chronic, and treatment is supportive.

Epidemiology

This disorder is rare, with a prevalence of <0.05%. Generally, onset…

Schizophrenia is a disorder in which patients have psychotic symptoms and social and/or occupational dysfunction that persists for at least 6 months.

Epidemiology

Schizophrenia affects I % of the population. The typical age of onset…

Patients with schizoaffective disorder have psychotic episodes that resemble schizophrenia but with prominent mood disturbances. Their psychotic symptoms, however, must persist for some time in the absence of any mood syndrome.

Epidemiology

Lifetime prevalence…

Cannabis
Cannabis is widely used throughout the world in the forms of marijuana and hashish. The drug is usually smoked and causes a state of euphoria. Complications of cannabis…

Cocaine and amphetamines are readily available in the United States. The patterns of use and abuse of and dependence on cocaine and amphetamines are similar because both are CNS stimulants…

Sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic drugs are widely used. They are all cross-tolerant with each other and with alcohol. Included in this class are barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Of these, the benzodiazepines…

Opiates include morphine, heroin, codeine, meperidine, and hydromorphone. Heroin is only available illegally in the United States. Opiates are commonly used for pain control.

Epidemiology

Opiate use and abuse are relatively uncommon in…

Alcohol Intoxication
Alcohol intoxication is defined by the presence of slurred speech, incoordination, unsteady gait, nystagmus, impairment in attention or memory, stupor or coma, and clinically significant maladaptive behavioral or psychological changes (inappropriate…

The DSM-IV defines substance abuse as a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested by one or more of the following:

Growing up with stress is not healthy for infants and young children, says Delia M. Vazquez, M.D., an associate professor of pediatrics and psychiatry in the U-M Medical School.…

Individuals with histrionic personality disorder have excessive superficial emotionality and a powerful need for attention.

Epidemiology
Lifetime prevalence is 2% to 3% of the general population. In clinical settings, the diagnosis…

Understanding the complex chemical processes of antidepressants is a book-worthy endeavor. This article will focus on how some of the most commonly prescribed drugs work.

Antidepressants are medicines used to help people who…

Because personality may have temperamental components and is developed over a lifetime of interacting with the environment, personality disorders are generally resistant to treatment. In general, psychotherapy is recommended for most personality disorders. Psychodynamically…