Disorder

Women with ADHD three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder – new research

Women with ADHD three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder – new research: PMDD causes symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, depressed mood and anxiety. LightField Studios/ Shutterstock Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has historically been under-studied in women. This means we still have a limited understanding of how the condition may uniquely affect …

Depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder linked with ancient viral DNA in our genome – new research

Depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder linked with ancient viral DNA in our genome – new research: Hervs represent the remnants of infections from ancient viruses. james benjamin/ Shutterstock Around 8% of human DNA is made up of genetic sequences acquired from ancient viruses. These sequences, known as human endogenous retroviruses (or Hervs), date back hundreds …

OCD is so much more than handwashing or tidying. As a historian with the disorder, here’s what I’ve learned

OCD is so much more than handwashing or tidying. As a historian with the disorder, here’s what I’ve learned: Elena Abrazhevich/Shutterstock Readers are advised that this article contains explicit discussion of suicide and suicidal and obsessional thoughts. If you are in need of support, contact details are included at the end of the article. At …

Developmental amnesia: the rare disorder that causes children to forget things they’ve just learned

Developmental amnesia: the rare disorder that causes children to forget things they’ve just learned: Developmental amnesia can affect children throughout their adult lives too. Gorodenkoff/ Shutterstock Even though it came out more than 20 years ago, many people still remember Finding Nemo thanks to one of its beloved main characters: Dory. The blue fish is …

Everything Now: eating disorder recovery is treated with sensitivity and nuance in Netflix comedy drama

Everything Now: eating disorder recovery is treated with sensitivity and nuance in Netflix comedy drama: Netflix couldn’t have chosen a more resonant title than Everything Now for their new comedy drama series. When I came out of a residential clinic in 2009 for treatment of anorexia, I did a parachute jump, started volunteering and decided …

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder have an imbalance of brain chemicals – our discovery could mean a treatment breakthrough

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder have an imbalance of brain chemicals – our discovery could mean a treatment breakthrough: MRI brain scan. SpeedKingz/Shutterstock People often jokingly say they’ve “got a bit of OCD” (obsessive-compulsive disorder) if they are overly organised or tidy. But OCD is actually a severe and disabling disorder characterised by obsessions – recurrent …

Body dysmorphic disorder: what to know about this mental health condition

Body dysmorphic disorder: what to know about this mental health condition: Actress Megan Fox recently shared in an interview with Sports Illustrated that she has body dysmorphia. In the video interview, Fox said: “I don’t ever see myself the way other people see me. There’s never a point in my life where I loved my …

Bipolar disorder is poorly understood in Ghana: knowing the facts can help prevent suffering

Bipolar disorder is poorly understood in Ghana: knowing the facts can help prevent suffering: Bipolar disorder numbers are rising in Ghana shutterstock Attitudes to mental health conditions are often influenced by matters of awareness and belief systems. Bipolar disorder is one of the conditions that’s frequently misunderstood and stigmatised. This is the case in Ghana, …

Arfid: genetics a major factor in this little-known eating disorder – new research

Arfid: genetics a major factor in this little-known eating disorder – new research: The little-known eating disorder Arfid usually develops in childhood. Tatyana Soares/ Shutterstock An estimated 1-5% of the world’s population suffer from an eating disorder that few people are even aware exists. Known as avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, or Arfid for short, …

Daydreaming’s dark side: the compulsive, complex fantasy disorder that dominates some people’s daily lives

Daydreaming’s dark side: the compulsive, complex fantasy disorder that dominates some people’s daily lives: Maladaptive daydreaming differs from regular daydreaming in many ways. fizkes/ Shutterstock Despite what we’re often taught to believe, daydreaming can be immensely useful. Not only can it be a source of pleasure and a way to relieve boredom, research shows that …

Binge-eating disorder is more common than many realise, yet it’s rarely discussed – here’s what you need to know

Binge-eating disorder is more common than many realise, yet it’s rarely discussed – here’s what you need to know: Television personality, author and hair stylist Jonathan Van Ness recently shared on social media his struggles with his eating and weight after “years of feeling out of control with food”. He described suffering from binge-eating disorder …

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: the frightening psychological condition suffered by Dixie D’Amelio

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: the frightening psychological condition suffered by Dixie D’Amelio: Dixie D'Amelio has recently been diagnosed with PMDD. Ron Adar/ Shutterstock Singer and social media star Dixie D’Amelio revealed on Instagram recently that she has been diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). In her post, she shared how the condition left her feeling that …

Four scenarios for a world in disorder

Four scenarios for a world in disorder: Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s recent speech to the Communist Party Congress could be one of the most consequential of the decade. He told the audience – and the world – that his economic growth-crushing zero-COVID policy is here to stay, and that Beijing is more determined than ever …

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder explained

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder explained: Stephanie Foo, an award-winning radio producer, suffers from complex post-traumatic stress disorder, a disorder that in her country (the US) “doesn’t officially exist”. In her new book, What My Bones Know, Foo writes movingly about what it’s like to live with complex PTSD and her long journey to getting a …

Accessibility in open source for people with ADHD, dyslexia, and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Accessibility in open source for people with ADHD, dyslexia, and Autism Spectrum Disorder: For a long time, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, Asperger syndrome, dyslexia, and other neurodiverse conditions were considered things that hold people back. But now, many researchers and employers recognize that neurodiversity is a competitive advantage, especially in technology, and especially when …

ARFID: the eating disorder that makes people fear food

ARFID: the eating disorder that makes people fear food: ARFID sufferers have an inherent fear of food and the act of eating. Photographee.eu/ Shutterstock Most of us are picky about some foods – and that’s normal – but for some people, pickiness can be dysfunctional. A little-known eating disorder – called avoidant restrictive food intake …

Mental disorder and societal challenges

South Africa in the news: Mental disorder and societal challenges: Every year, like clockwork, swathes of people under a defined umbrella go through some routine to bring about the awareness on certain issues that affect humanity.: “South Africa” – BingNews Springboks’ Rugby Championship ultimatum: SANZAAR has given the world champion Springboks a 48-hour deadline to …