BEHAVIORS

Some common behavior abnormalities are:

Depression: Major depression is a lifelong behavior disorder that is usually associated with hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, and guilt. Symptom manifestation include:

• Sleep disturbance
• Loss of things that interest us
• Guilt feeling
• Lack of energy
• Problems with concentration and appetite
• Suicide thoughts and attempts

Dysthymia: A depressed mood most of the day or most days in a 2-year period. Symptoms can cause significant impairment in daily function such as sleep, concentration, self-esteem, and energy.

Grief (Bereavement): This is just a reaction to death or loss of loved ones usually lasting no more than 2 months. If over 2 months, a search for underlying depression, may be needed.

Anxiety: Excessive worry out of proportion to a situation, lasting longer than six months. Common disturbances associate with anxiety are:

• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Sleep disturbances
• Problems concentrating

Panic Disorders: Somatic and psychological manifestations of panic attack in association with anxiety are:

• Somatic - sweating, hot flashes, nausea, chest discomfort, palpitations, trembling, shaking, choking, shortness of breath, numbness, tingling, and dizziness.
• Psychological - loss of control, crazy feeling, fear of dying.

Phobia: Persistent, excessive and unreasonable fear of an object or situation as a result of exposure or contact with the object or situation. Note that most phobias recognize that the fear is excessive or unreasonable.

Substances that Alter Behavior:

• Alcohol
• Cannabis
• Opiods
• Steriods
• Some blood medications
• Some cancer drugs

Other Conditions that may Affect Behavior are:

• Infections
• Seizures
• Meningitis
• Poor nutrition
• Liver disease
• Thyroid disease
• Cancer