Substance-Related Disorders
Substance-related disorders result from the abuse of drugs, side effects of medications, or exposure to toxic substances. Many mental health professionals regard these disorders as behavioral or addictive disorders rather than as mental illnesses, although substance-related disorders commonly occur in people with mental illnesses. Common substance-related disorders include alcoholism and other forms of drug dependence. In addition, drug use can contribute to symptoms of other mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Drugs associated with substance-related disorders include alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, heroin (see Opium), amphetamines, hallucinogens, and sedatives. (Substance-Related Disorders, Eating Disorders, Impulse-Control Disorders, Mental Illness)
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are conditions in which an individual experiences severe disturbances in eating behaviors. People with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear about gaining weight and refuse to eat adequately or maintain a normal body weight. People with bulimia nervosa (see Bulimia) repeatedly engage in episodes of binge eating, usually followed by self-induced vomiting or the use of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications to prevent weight gain. Eating disorders occur mostly among young women in Western societies and certain parts of Asia. (Substance-Related Disorders, Eating Disorders, Impulse-Control Disorders, Mental Illness)
Impulse-Control Disorders
People with impulse-control disorders cannot control an impulse to engage in harmful behaviors, such as explosive anger, stealing (kleptomania), setting fires (pyromania), gambling (see Pathological Gambling), or pulling out their own hair (trichotillomania). Some mental illnesses—such as mania, schizophrenia, and antisocial personality disorder—may include symptoms of impulsive behavior. (Substance-Related Disorders, Eating Disorders, Impulse-Control Disorders, Mental Illness)
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