Mental & Behavioral Health
ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), formerly known as ADD, is a common brain disorder, in children and adults, marked by inattention and/or impulsivity.
Affective Disorders
Affective disorder actually refers to a spectrum of mood disorders, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and vary by individual.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are a group of illnesses characterized by overwhelming worry and fear that interferes with leading a fulfilling life. While symptoms of anxiety disorders can be disabling, treatment helps many people successfully manage their symptoms.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder (a disorder of early brain development) that involves impairments in social communication and interaction, that begins in early childhood, and persists throughout life.
Bipolar Disorders
Bipolar disorder, once known as manic depression, is a disorder that most often causes extreme mood swings, from periods of abnormally elevated mood to periods of depression. Bipolar disorder is a serious condition that left untreated can cause risky behavior.
Depression
Depression is a common but serious mental health disorder that can affect how you feel, think and handle your daily routine.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are characterized by abnormal eating habits that negatively affect an individual’s physical and/or mental health. The most common are anorexia, which involves food restriction and loss of weight, and bulimia, which most often includes bingeing and purging behaviors. Eating disorders affect all genders, ages, races and socioeconomic strata. If left untreated, eating disorders can have serious consequences.
Memory and Behavioral Changes
As we age, many of us develop concerns about our memory, especially when it comes to figuring out what are normal moments of confusion or memory slips versus what may be the beginning of a more serious disorder. In the Cognitive Neurology and Memory Disorders Program at BIDMC, we apply the latest behavioral, genetic and imaging tests to diagnose and treat a wide range of memory and behavioral problems. Our integrated approach means we provide the right care to help make sure you have the best long-term outcome.
Neurocognitive Disorders
Neurocognitive Disorders refer to a group of brain conditions causing mild or major cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease, frontotemporal dementia, and traumatic brain injury, in addition to other disorders.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Neurodevelopmental disorders are brain disorders that begin in early development (before birth or during childhood) and remain relatively stable over time. The most common disorders include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability, and learning disabilities.
OCD
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition characterized by repeated and unwanted thoughts and urges (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The persistent thoughts and repetitive behaviors are time-consuming and prevent individuals from focusing on daily activities and social interactions.
Personality Disorders
Personality disorders refer to a group of illnesses; common to all of them is a long-term pattern of thoughts and behavior that is pervasive, inflexible, and differs significantly from what is expected in that person’s culture.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth. Mothers with postpartum depression often experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety and exhaustion that may make it difficult for them to care for themselves and others.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a potentially debilitating condition that some people develop after experiencing a shocking, scary or life-threatening event, such as a natural disaster, war, serious accident or violent assault. People with PTSD can be severely affected for a prolonged period following the event.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects how you think, feel and act. Someone with schizophrenia may have difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is imaginary and may show signs of decline in ability to think clearly and emotional responsiveness. Schizophrenia is a complex, long-term medical illness that affects about 1% of Americans.