This new series explores the most common psychological disorders, examining their symptoms causes, and effects. Each title looks at the chemical and other scientific processes that causes the illness, how the function of the brain relates to behavior, and how treatments--both pharmacology and psychotherapy--may help or eliminate symptoms. Includes vignettes that incorporate personal experiences of those who suffer, or have suffered, from the disorder and how it affected their lives--before and after treatment. Suitable for middle school and high school students for scientific research as well...

The new Psychological Disorders series explores today's most common psychological disorders by examining their symptoms, causes, and effects. In addition, this series highlights the brain chemistry behind the disorders and demonstrates how various treatments (including pharmacology and psychotherapy) affect the brain and may help ease or eliminate symptoms. All titles include vignettes that incorporate personal experiences of those who suffer or have suffered from the disorder, as well as how it impacted their lives before and after treatment.

For years, people who suffered from depression or bipolar disorder were stigmatized for their problems. Today, most scientists believe these illnesses are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and can be corrected with medication and talk therapy. Depression and Bipolar Disorder provides basic facts, including its causes and treatments.

Personality disorders are patterns of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and oneself that are negative, abnormal, impair daily activities, or cause stress. They include antisocial behavior, acute shyness, negative perceptions, and paranoia or schizophrenia. Personality Disorders defines and explains these behaviors and the social and medical issues related to them.

Dementias are brain disorders that impair memory, thinking, and behavior--Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common. Here is helpful clarification of this group of disorders and their specific types. Readers will learn how to recognize the symptoms of dementia, how these disorders are diagnosed, theories about their cause, and how they can be treated.

Child Abuse and Stress Disorders examines stress and how it affects us psychologically, emotionally, and physically. Several chapters are devoted to types of child abuse and their effects on mental and physical well-being.

The new Psychological Disorders series explores today's most common psychological disorders by examining their symptoms, causes, and effects. In addition, this series highlights the brain chemistry behind the disorders and demonstrates how various treatments (including pharmacology and psychotherapy) affect the brain and may help ease or eliminate symptoms. All titles include vignettes that incorporate personal experiences of those who suffer or have suffered from the disorder, as well as how it impacted their lives before and after treatment.

Intentional self-harm, often in the form of cutting one's self, is generally associated with emotional or mental distress, especially when observed among teens. When in pain, the human body releases calming endorphins, leading some to injure themselves to experience the endorphin euphoria. Self-harm is associated with mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa. And while those who engage in self-harm may not intend themselves any serious physical injury, such risky behavior can result in death. "Cutting and Self-Harm" discusses the...

When an individual suffers from an impulse control disorder, that person has little or no control over repeated impulsive acts, causing problems for him or her. Impulse control disorders include pathological gambling, pyromania, kleptomania, intermittent explosive disorder, and trichotillomania, or hair-pulling disorder. People with these disorders usually know their behavior is wrong or strange, but they cannot refrain from such behavior. Though each of these troubling disorders can be psychologically disabling, treatment can be usually helpful to sufferers. "Impulse Control Disorders"...

Sleep is as important to the human body as food and water. Recent research suggests that those who get less than the recommended eight hours a night are more likely to become sick and die sooner than their well-rested counterparts. Though there is much about sleep that remains a mystery to scientists, there is mounting evidence of health risks as more and more Americans cut back on needed rest and bad sleep habits are being passed on to children. "Sleep Disorders" is a concise guide to sleep and sheds helpful light on how it functions and how it can be disrupted. Coverage includes sleep...