WHAT IS OCD?
OCD is often described as actions that are excessively repeated, such as unusually frequent hand washing to assure that germs have been washed off, or turning the lock on a door a specific number of times to assure that the door is really locked. These are good examples of what a person with OCD might do, but they are not definitions of what OCD is. OCD is actually a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts, or obsessions; and/or repetitive behaviors, or compulsions. The repetitive behaviors such as hand washing, counting, checking or cleaning are often done as a way to prevent obsessions that may be invading their thoughts. Sadly the relief people with OCD feel by acting out compulsions is only temporary.

Social phobia affects an estimated 5.3 million adults across the U.S., and is the third largest mental health issue in the world. Social phobia is characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People with persistent social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and of being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. Many times this fear is so severe it interferes with school, work, and other activities. Sometimes people with this disorder recognize their fears may be excessive or unreasonable, but are still unable to overcome them.

Substance abuse has long been an issue of concern for youth and their parents, and especially those youth with social, emotional, and/or behavioral disabilities. It’s not a new problem but an ongoing problem that seems to grow worse with every generation. Substance abuse in adolescents typically manifests itself in the form of tobacco, alcohol and more commonly, inhalants. Recent reports detail many new ways of getting “high” many times with common household products, and all are exceptionally dangerous.

CAUSES

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the term used to describe five different disorders that hold similar characteristics. The different disorders that fall into ASD are Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD NOS). ASD affects an estimated one of every five children, and is marked by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills, social interactions, and restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior. ASD can usually be reliably detected by around 3 years of age, and sometimes as early as 18 months.

Information compiled from:
The Tourette Syndrome Association
www.tsa-usa.org

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an acquired injury to the brain caused by either movement of the brain within the skull or from penetration of an object into the skull, contacting the brain directly. The resulting injury(ies) causes impairment to cognitive (thinking), emotional, and/or physical functioning. Impairment may be partial or total; temporary or permanent. Some major causes of TBI are automobile or motorcycle accidents, either to the driver, passenger, or a pedestrian; gunshot wounds; shaken baby syndrome; accidents from recreational sports (i.e. football, boxing, etc.) or something as ordinary as a bad fall. Abuse and assault are also leading causes.

Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID) is a neurological disorder. It refers to the inability to process certain information received through the senses (touch, taste, sight, sound and smell). Specifically, SID is a disruption in the process of intake, organization and output output of the sensory information. Inefficient sensory intake refers to taking in too much or too little information. With too much information, the brain is on overload and causes an individual to avoid sensory stimuli. With too little information, the brain seeks more sensory stimuli. Neurological disorganization can occur in three different manners. One way is when the brain does not receive messages because of a disconnection with neuron cells.

Self-Abusive Behaviors also referred to as self-injurious behavior or self-mutilation is the term used to describe deliberate, repetitive, impulsive, and non-lethal harming of one’s body. The most common of these behaviors is cutting, scratching, burning, hair pulling, insertion of foreign objects, and bruising or bone breaking. Other “socially acceptable” activities such as alcohol and substance abuse, and internalizing activities such as eating disorders are also considered self-abusive. If you think someone you know has an alcohol or substance abuse problem or has an eating disorder, treatment should be sought immediately.

Schizophrenia in children is a brain illness that causes dramatic alterations in thoughts, behaviors, and mood. It is an uncommon psychiatric illness in children, and is differs from schizophrenia in adolescents and adults.

Causes:
There is no single cause of schizophrenia. Current research suggests that it is a mixture of genetics and environment. Twin studies show that on average, 40 to 60 percent of those who have the illness also have an identical twin that has it. Studies of individuals also show that neurodevelopmental immaturities, attention deficits, and poor interpersonal relationships are associated with later onset of schizophrenia. However, neurodevelopmental damage seems to be greater in childhood schizophrenia than in the adult-onset type.

Schizoaffective Disorder is a biological disorder thought to be brought on by an imbalance in brain chemicals, specifically dopamine. It is defined as "the presence of major depression, mania, or a mixture or alternative of depressive and manic symptoms for at least two weeks", and a decline in social functioning for at least six months (problems with school or work, social relationships, or self-care). Schizoaffective is still sometimes diagnosed simply as a transition from Bipolar to Schizophrenia, since its symptoms are mainly a combination of the two. Even recent research still questions this disorder being separate since most diagnosed with this disorder are later diagnosed Schizophrenic with a mood disorder or Bipolar with a psychotic disorder.