- Psych Central

American Psychiatric Association's Archive

Symptoms of Selective Mutism

Selective mutism is a rare type of anxiety disorder whose main distinguishing characteristic is the persistent failure to speak in specific social situations (e.g., at school, or with playmates) where speaking is expected, despite ... Read more... »

Severity and Remission in Major Depressive Episode

When major depression is diagnosed in an individual, additional characteristics of the depression are specified. These characteristics are called "specifiers." These specifiers apply to the most recent Major Depressive Episode in Major Depressive ... Read more... »

Symptoms of Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder

Recurrent depression is a form of Major Depression, where the depressive episodes recur on a regular basis, with intervals of no depression present in the individual. The specific diagnostic critera for recurrent depression are: A. ... Read more... »

What is a Manic Episode?

A Manic Episode is defined by a distinct period during which there is an abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood. This period of abnormal mood must last at least 1 week (or less ... Read more... »

Intermittent Explosive Disorder

The essential feature of Intermittent Explosive Disorder (312.34) is the occurrence of discrete episodes of failure to resist aggressive impulses that result in serious assaultive acts or destruction of property (Criterion A). The degree of ... Read more... »

Chronic Major Depression

Chronic major depression can be diagnosed as a form of Major Depressive Disorder. This specifier applies to the current or most recent Major Depressive Episode in Major Depressive Disorder and to a Major Depressive ... Read more... »

A neurotic is a man who builds a castle in the sky. A psychotic is the man who lives in it. A psychiatrist is the man who charges them both rent.
-- Jerome Lawrence