Understanding mental disorders requires a clear grasp of how psychological symptoms are identified, classified, and interpreted. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) provides the most widely used framework for this purpose. It organizes mental health conditions into systematic categories based on symptoms, duration, impact on functioning, and underlying patterns of behavior or cognition. For students of psychology, familiarity with DSM-based concepts helps build the foundation for clinical assessment, case formulation, and therapeutic reasoning.
This dictionary has been developed to present DSM-related disorders in a simple and accessible manner. Each entry includes a brief meaning of the disorder followed by a real-world example to support comprehension. The aim is not to replace formal diagnostic training but to support learners in understanding key features, variations, and everyday presentations of mental health conditions. Complex terms have been simplified wherever possible without losing clinical accuracy.
The content spans a broad range of areas: mood and anxiety disorders, neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive conditions, trauma-related syndromes, personality disorders, feeding and eating disorders, sleep-wake problems, substance-related conditions, and culturally influenced patterns of distress. Variants, specifiers, severity levels, and emerging behavioral conditions have also been included to provide a holistic picture of clinical diversity.
This resource is intended to serve as a teaching companion for students, educators, and early trainees. It encourages clarity, practical thinking, and understanding of how psychological symptoms appear in real life. As mental health continues to evolve as a discipline, developing the ability to recognize patterns and understand their relevance remains central to effective psychological education.
1. Major Depressive Disorder
Meaning:
A mood disorder marked by persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities, changes in sleep and appetite, poor concentration, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and low energy. These symptoms last for at least two weeks and significantly interfere with daily functioning such as work, study, and relationships.
Example:
A college student who once enjoyed sports now avoids friends, sleeps excessively, feels drained all day, struggles to submit assignments, and believes they are a burden to everyone.
2. Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Meaning:
A long-lasting form of depression where the mood is chronically low for most days over at least two years. The symptoms are less severe than major depression but are continuous and create a long-term sense of heaviness, fatigue, and hopelessness.
Example:
A school teacher who does their duties every day but feels persistently tired, unmotivated, and disinterested in socializing, saying, “This is just how I am,” even though the feeling has lasted for years.
3. Bipolar I Disorder
Meaning:
A mood disorder characterized by at least one full manic episode—periods of extremely high energy, decreased need for sleep, rapid thoughts, impulsive decision-making, and sometimes psychotic symptoms. These episodes may alternate with periods of major depression.
Example:
A man suddenly starts multiple risky business ventures in a week, buys expensive items impulsively, doesn’t sleep for days, talks rapidly, and later crashes into a severe depressive episode.
4. Bipolar II Disorder
Meaning:
Involves recurring episodes of major depression and hypomania. Hypomania is a milder, shorter form of mania where a person feels unusually energetic, confident, and productive but without severe impairment or psychosis.
Example:
A woman stays up late working on creative ideas for several days with unusually high energy, feels extremely productive, and later falls into weeks of deep sadness, low motivation, and hopelessness.
5. Cyclothymic Disorder
Meaning:
A chronic mood fluctuation pattern lasting at least two years, involving numerous periods of mild hypomanic symptoms and mild depressive symptoms that never meet full criteria for bipolar disorder.
Example:
A person describes their mood as a “constant roller coaster,” feeling upbeat for weeks followed by unexplained low mood, but neither phase is severe enough to qualify as bipolar episodes.
6. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Meaning:
A disorder where a person experiences pervasive, uncontrollable worry about several areas of life—such as work, health, or family—for at least six months. The anxiety is accompanied by physical symptoms like muscle tension, restlessness, fatigue, and sleep difficulties.
Example:
A woman constantly imagines worst-case scenarios—believing something bad will happen to her family—even when there is no real threat. She feels tense all day and cannot relax.
7. Panic Disorder
Meaning:
A condition marked by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—sudden periods of intense fear with symptoms like heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling, and fear of dying. The person then develops persistent worry about future attacks.
Example:
A man suddenly experiences chest tightness and breathlessness while shopping, believes he is having a heart attack, rushes to the hospital, and later becomes afraid of going outdoors.
8. Social Anxiety Disorder
Meaning:
A strong fear of social or performance situations where the person may be judged, embarrassed, or scrutinized. The fear leads to avoidance, physical anxiety (blushing, sweating), and significant distress in school, work, or social life.
Example:
A student avoids attending classes on presentation days because they fear their voice will shake and classmates will laugh at them.
9. Specific Phobia
Meaning:
Intense and irrational fear of a specific object or situation, such as heights, animals, or flying. The person goes to great lengths to avoid the feared object, even when they know the fear is unrealistic.
Example:
A man refuses job offers in tall buildings because he has a severe fear of elevators and refuses to step inside one.
10. Agoraphobia
Meaning:
A fear of situations where escape may be difficult or help might not be available, such as open spaces, crowded areas, or public transport. People may avoid these places or leave home only with a companion.
Example:
A woman avoids buses and shopping centers because she fears she might have a panic attack and no one will help her.
11. Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Meaning:
A disorder involving persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that cause anxiety and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) performed to reduce that anxiety. The rituals consume significant time and interfere with functioning.
Example:
A person repeatedly checks if the door is locked—sometimes for an hour—because they fear something terrible will happen if they don’t.
12. Hoarding Disorder
Meaning:
Difficulty discarding possessions, even items with little or no value, due to perceived need to save them. This leads to cluttered and unsafe living spaces and causes emotional distress or impairment.
Example:
A house becomes filled with old magazines, plastic bags, and broken items, blocking rooms and making movement difficult, but the owner panics at the idea of throwing anything away.
13. Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Meaning:
A preoccupation with one or more perceived flaws in appearance that are minor or not observable to others. This leads to repetitive behaviors like mirror checking, skin picking, or seeking reassurance.
Example:
A teenager spends hours examining their face daily, convinced their skin is “ugly,” despite others seeing nothing unusual.
14. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Meaning:
A trauma-related disorder where a person experiences intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance of trauma reminders, negative mood changes, and hyperarousal (being constantly on guard) for over a month after a traumatic event.
Example:
A car accident survivor avoids driving, has flashbacks when hearing loud noises, and wakes up frequently from nightmares.
15. Acute Stress Disorder
Meaning:
A short-term reaction to trauma that includes symptoms like numbness, detachment, confusion, and fear. Symptoms last from three days to one month after the event.
Example:
A robbery victim feels disconnected from reality, avoids discussing the event, and experiences sudden fear for several days after the incident.
16. Schizophrenia
Meaning:
A chronic psychotic disorder involving hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there), delusions (false beliefs), disorganized speech, and reduced emotional expression. It affects thinking, perception, and daily functioning.
Example:
A man hears voices telling him he is being watched and becomes socially withdrawn, believing neighbors are spying on him.
17. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Meaning:
A developmental disorder affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior. Individuals may show limited eye contact, prefer routines, and have intense interests. Symptoms vary widely in severity.
Example:
A child avoids eye contact, struggles with conversation, and becomes very upset when daily routines change.
18. ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Meaning:
A neurodevelopmental disorder involving persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning. Symptoms begin in childhood and may continue into adulthood.
Example:
A student fidgets continuously, interrupts others during class discussions, and forgets to submit homework.
19. Dissociative Identity Disorder
Meaning:
A disorder where a person has two or more distinct identities or personality states, each with its own ways of thinking, behaving, and remembering. Often linked to severe early trauma.
Example:
A woman sometimes speaks with a different voice, recalls events others say she was present for but cannot remember, and signs her name differently at times.
20. Somatic Symptom Disorder
Meaning:
A disorder where physical symptoms like pain or fatigue are accompanied by excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to those symptoms. The distress is real even if no medical explanation is found.
Example:
A woman feels constant stomach pain and worries intensely about it, visiting multiple doctors despite being assured her tests are normal.
21. Illness Anxiety Disorder
Meaning:
A condition where a person is excessively worried about having a serious illness despite having mild or no physical symptoms. They frequently check their body, seek repeated medical reassurance, or alternatively avoid doctors out of fear of bad news.
Example:
A man constantly worries he has heart disease even though multiple tests are normal. He repeatedly checks his pulse and searches symptoms online for hours.
22. Conversion Disorder
Meaning:
A disorder where psychological stress is expressed as neurological symptoms such as paralysis, tremors, seizures, or blindness, without medical explanation. The symptoms are real and cause genuine distress, even though no physical damage is found.
Example:
After witnessing a traumatic fight, a young woman suddenly loses the ability to move her legs, but medical scans show no injury or nerve damage.
23. Dissociative Amnesia
Meaning:
A sudden inability to remember important personal information, usually triggered by severe stress or trauma. The memory loss goes beyond ordinary forgetfulness and often occurs around traumatic events.
Example:
A man who witnessed a violent accident cannot recall his own address or details about his past for several days.
24. Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
Meaning:
A disorder where a person repeatedly feels detached either from themselves (depersonalization) or from the world around them (derealization). They may feel robotic, disconnected, or as if the world is unreal, but they know it is a feeling—not reality.
Example:
A college student describes feeling “outside my own body” while giving a presentation, as if watching themselves on a screen.
25. Anorexia Nervosa
Meaning:
An eating disorder marked by extreme restriction of food, intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image, and dangerously low body weight. It affects thinking, emotions, hormones, and physical health.
Example:
A teenage girl skips meals, counts calories obsessively, weighs herself repeatedly, and believes she is “overweight” even when severely underweight.
26. Bulimia Nervosa
Meaning:
A disorder involving repeated episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting. Body dissatisfaction and loss of control over eating are central features.
Example:
A college student eats large amounts of food quickly in private, feels ashamed afterward, and forces himself to vomit several times a week.
27. Binge-Eating Disorder
Meaning:
A disorder where a person frequently eats unusually large quantities of food in a short time while feeling out of control, but does not engage in purging behaviors. This leads to guilt, shame, and emotional distress.
Example:
A woman eats late at night until she feels painfully full, then cries afterward because she feels unable to stop.
28. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Meaning:
A disorder involving extreme food avoidance due to fear of choking, sensory sensitivities (taste, texture), or lack of interest in eating. The avoidance is not related to body image concerns.
Example:
A child refuses most foods because certain textures feel “wrong,” eating only a few select items and losing weight as a result.
29. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Meaning:
A behavioral disorder where a child or adolescent shows a persistent pattern of angry mood, defiant behavior, and hostility toward authority figures. The behavior is frequent and significantly disrupts school and home life.
Example:
A student regularly argues with teachers, refuses instructions, blames others for mistakes, and deliberately annoys classmates.
30. Conduct Disorder
Meaning:
A serious behavioral disorder where a child or teen repeatedly violates rules and the rights of others through aggression, property destruction, deceit, or theft. It is often a precursor to antisocial personality disorder in adulthood.
Example:
A teenager frequently gets into fights, bullies peers, steals items from stores, and damages school property without remorse.
31. Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Meaning:
A disorder involving sudden and intense outbursts of anger or violence that are disproportionate to the situation. Episodes are impulsive and not preplanned.
Example:
A man breaks household items and screams at family members because someone misplaced the TV remote.
32. Schizoaffective Disorder
Meaning:
A disorder combining symptoms of schizophrenia (hallucinations, delusions) with significant mood episodes (either depression or mania). Psychotic symptoms sometimes occur even when mood symptoms are not present.
Example:
A woman hears voices commenting on her actions and also experiences weeks of deep depression, including loss of energy and motivation.
33. Delusional Disorder
Meaning:
A disorder where a person has one or more persistent delusions—strongly held false beliefs—not influenced by logic or evidence. Apart from the delusion, thinking and behavior often appear normal.
Example:
A man is convinced that his neighbors are secretly monitoring his conversations, even though there is no proof, but he functions normally otherwise.
34. Brief Psychotic Disorder
Meaning:
A short-term condition involving sudden onset of psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions, typically triggered by extreme stress. Symptoms last less than one month and the person usually returns to full functioning.
Example:
After a sudden breakup, a woman briefly believes strangers are following her, but the delusion disappears completely within two weeks.
35. Insomnia Disorder
Meaning:
Persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting restful sleep despite having the opportunity. It leads to daytime fatigue, irritability, and reduced concentration.
Example:
A student lies awake for hours every night, sleeps lightly, feels exhausted in class, and struggles to focus on assignments.
36. Narcolepsy
Meaning:
A neurological disorder involving uncontrollable daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep attacks, and sometimes sudden muscle weakness (cataplexy) triggered by emotions like laughter or anger.
Example:
A man suddenly falls asleep while sitting in a meeting, despite feeling alert moments earlier, and cannot control the timing of these sleep episodes.
37. Restless Legs Syndrome
Meaning:
A condition where uncomfortable sensations in the legs create an overwhelming urge to move them, especially at night or during rest. This disrupts sleep and causes daytime tiredness.
Example:
A person constantly shifts their legs in bed because they feel “crawling” or tingling sensations that ease only when they move.
38. Alcohol Use Disorder
Meaning:
A pattern of problematic alcohol use where a person cannot cut down, drinks more than intended, experiences cravings, and continues drinking despite harms to health, work, or relationships.
Example:
A woman misses work repeatedly due to hangovers, argues with her family about her drinking, and hides alcohol around the house.
39. Opioid Use Disorder
Meaning:
Dependence on opioids such as prescription painkillers or heroin, leading to strong cravings, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and inability to control use.
Example:
A man keeps using pain medications months after healing from an injury, needs higher doses to feel the same effect, and becomes sick when trying to stop.
40. Cannabis Use Disorder
Meaning:
A problematic pattern of marijuana use where the person struggles to reduce consumption, uses it even in risky situations, and experiences social or academic impairment.
Example:
A student uses cannabis every evening, neglects assignments, and becomes irritable when attempting to cut down.
41. Gambling Disorder
Meaning:
A compulsive need to gamble, even when it causes severe financial, emotional, or social problems. The person feels restless or irritable when trying to stop.
Example:
A man secretly takes loans to gamble online, loses large sums of money, and keeps betting to “win everything back.”
42. Gender Dysphoria
Meaning:
Significant distress resulting from a mismatch between a person’s experienced gender and the gender assigned at birth. This distress affects emotional, social, or academic functioning.
Example:
A teenager assigned male at birth experiences deep discomfort being treated as a boy and expresses a strong desire to live as a girl.
43. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Meaning:
A severe form of premenstrual syndrome involving intense mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms that interfere with daily life. Symptoms appear before menstruation and improve afterward.
Example:
A woman becomes extremely tearful, angry, and withdrawn for about a week before her period each month, affecting work and relationships.
44. ADHD (repeated entry)
Meaning:
A neurodevelopmental disorder involving persistent inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that disrupt daily functioning in school, home, or work environments.
Example:
A child cannot stay seated during class, interrupts others frequently, and has trouble completing tasks.
45. Autism Spectrum Disorder (repeated entry)
Meaning:
A developmental condition affecting communication, sensory processing, and social interaction. Behaviors may include repetitive movements, strict routines, and intense interests.
Example:
A young boy becomes distressed when his routine is changed and prefers to play alone, focusing intensely on topics like trains.
46. Intellectual Disability
Meaning:
A condition characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors, including communication, social skills, and daily living. Symptoms begin during childhood.
Example:
A child struggles to learn basic academic skills, has difficulty performing daily self-care tasks, and requires ongoing support from caregivers.
47. Specific Learning Disorder
Meaning:
Persistent difficulty in reading, writing, or mathematics that is not explained by low intelligence, lack of schooling, or external factors. It affects academic performance and confidence.
Example:
A bright student understands concepts well but consistently struggles to read smoothly or solve math problems accurately.
48. Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
Meaning:
Difficulty using verbal and nonverbal communication for social purposes, such as taking turns in conversation, understanding humor, or using appropriate tone. The person’s grammar and vocabulary may be normal.
Example:
A child answers questions correctly but cannot maintain a back-and-forth conversation and often misunderstands jokes.
49. Somatic Symptom Disorder
Meaning:
A disorder where a person experiences one or more physical symptoms that are distressing, along with excessive thoughts, worry, or behaviors related to the symptoms. The focus on health consumes significant time and energy.
Example:
A man frequently worries that mild headaches indicate a brain tumor, seeks repeated medical tests, and thinks about his symptoms throughout the day.
50. Prolonged Grief Disorder
Meaning:
Intense and persistent grief following the loss of a loved one, lasting much longer than typical mourning patterns. The person feels unable to accept the loss and struggles to resume daily activities.
Example:
A woman continues to avoid social events, keeps her partner’s room untouched, and feels intense emotional pain a year after his death, unable to move forward.
51. Adjustment Disorder
Meaning:
An emotional or behavioral reaction to a clear stressor (such as job loss, breakup, academic pressure, illness) that is stronger than expected and interferes with daily life. Symptoms begin within 3 months of the stressor and ease once the situation improves.
Example:
A college student feels overwhelmed, hopeless, and irritable after failing an exam and starts skipping classes for weeks, despite no prior mental health issues.
52. Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
Meaning:
A childhood disorder caused by severe neglect or inconsistent caregiving. The child struggles to form healthy emotional bonds and often appears withdrawn, emotionally unresponsive, or distant even with caregivers.
Example:
A foster child avoids eye contact, does not seek comfort when upset, and rarely smiles, even when cared for in a stable home.
53. Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)
Meaning:
A childhood disorder linked to early neglect, where the child approaches strangers too freely—showing overly familiar behavior, lack of boundaries, and little fear of unfamiliar adults.
Example:
A young child in a park runs up to unfamiliar adults, hugs them, and asks to go home with them without hesitation.
54. Separation Anxiety Disorder
Meaning:
Excessive fear or distress when separated from home or attachment figures. Although common in children, it can also occur in adults. Symptoms include clinginess, nightmares, and physical complaints before separation.
Example:
A 10-year-old refuses to attend school, crying and complaining of stomach aches whenever the mother tries to leave.
55. Selective Mutism
Meaning:
A childhood anxiety disorder where a child is able to speak normally at home but consistently fails to speak in social settings such as school, despite understanding the language and having the ability to talk.
Example:
A child who talks freely with family becomes silent and expressionless in class, communicating only through gestures.
56. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Meaning:
A childhood condition with chronic irritability and severe temper outbursts that are out of proportion to the situation, occurring at least three times a week for a year or more.
Example:
A child screams, throws objects, and hits family members during minor disagreements and remains irritable most of the day.
57. Tourette’s Disorder
Meaning:
A neurological disorder involving multiple motor tics (such as blinking, shrugging) and at least one vocal tic (such as grunting, throat clearing) lasting for more than a year.
Example:
A teenager repeatedly jerks his head and makes involuntary throat sounds even when trying to suppress them.
58. Persistent (Chronic) Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder
Meaning:
A condition involving either motor tics or vocal tics (not both), occurring almost daily for more than a year. Less severe than Tourette’s.
Example:
A girl repeatedly snaps her fingers or shrugs her shoulders throughout the day without being able to control it.
59. Provisional Tic Disorder
Meaning:
Motor or vocal tics lasting less than one year. Common in younger children and often resolves naturally.
Example:
A child develops sudden repetitive eye blinking and throat clearing during stressful school exams, which disappear after months.
60. Avoidant Personality Disorder
Meaning:
A long-term pattern of extreme shyness, fear of rejection, and avoidance of social interaction. The person wants relationships but avoids them due to feelings of inadequacy.
Example:
A man avoids work gatherings because he believes coworkers will judge him as stupid or boring, even though no one has ever criticized him.
61. Dependent Personality Disorder
Meaning:
A pervasive need to be taken care of, leading to clingy behavior, difficulty making decisions independently, and fear of being alone.
Example:
A woman repeatedly seeks reassurance from others before making simple choices, and panics at the thought of being without her partner.
62. Histrionic Personality Disorder
Meaning:
A personality pattern marked by excessive emotionality, need for attention, dramatic behavior, and discomfort when not being the center of attention.
Example:
A man exaggerates stories, dresses flamboyantly for routine events, and becomes upset when conversations shift away from him.
63. Paranoid Personality Disorder
Meaning:
A persistent distrust and suspiciousness of others, interpreting harmless actions as hostile or malicious. Unlike schizophrenia, there are no hallucinations.
Example:
A man believes colleagues are plotting to embarrass him, misinterpreting casual remarks as personal attacks.
64. Schizoid Personality Disorder
Meaning:
A personality pattern marked by detachment from social relationships and limited emotional expression. The person often prefers solitude and shows little interest in social bonding.
Example:
An employee works quietly alone, avoids conversations, and shows no emotional reaction during celebrations or conflicts.
65. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Meaning:
A personality disorder characterized by odd beliefs, unusual behavior, social anxiety, and eccentric thinking. The person may have magical thinking but does not experience full psychosis.
Example:
A woman believes she can “sense” others’ thoughts, dresses in unconventional styles, and avoids social events due to anxiety and suspicion.
66. Antisocial Personality Disorder
Meaning:
A long-term pattern of violating the rights of others, breaking rules, lying, manipulating, and showing little remorse. The behavior begins in childhood or adolescence (often with Conduct Disorder) and continues into adulthood.
Example:
A man repeatedly scams people, lies without guilt, drives recklessly, and feels no remorse even when harming others.
67. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Meaning:
A personality pattern of grandiosity, excessive need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. The person overestimates their abilities, believes they deserve special treatment, and becomes angry when criticized.
Example:
An employee believes they are superior to coworkers, blames others for every mistake, and becomes furious when given constructive feedback.
68. Obsessive–Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
Meaning:
A rigid, perfectionistic personality style focused on control, orderliness, and rules. Unlike OCD, the behaviors are ego-syntonic (the person thinks the behaviors are correct).
Example:
A man spends hours arranging files “perfectly,” refuses to delegate tasks, and becomes distressed when things aren’t done his way.
69. Paraphilic Disorder – Exhibitionistic Disorder
Meaning:
A condition where a person experiences sexual arousal from exposing their genitals to unsuspecting individuals, causing distress or leading to harmful acts.
Example:
A man repeatedly exposes himself to strangers in public places and feels distressed about his inability to stop.
70. Paraphilic Disorder – Voyeuristic Disorder
Meaning:
Sexual arousal from observing unsuspecting persons who are naked or engaged in sexual activity. Causes distress or leads to harmful behavior.
Example:
A person secretly watches neighbors through windows and feels unable to control the urge.
71. Paraphilic Disorder – Frotteuristic Disorder
Meaning:
Recurrent sexual arousal from touching or rubbing against a non-consenting person, leading to distress or harmful behavior.
Example:
A man intentionally brushes against people in crowded places for sexual pleasure and feels guilty but unable to stop.
72. Paraphilic Disorder – Sexual Masochism Disorder
Meaning:
A condition where sexual arousal is linked to being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise hurt. It becomes a disorder when it causes distress or impairment.
Example:
A person repeatedly seeks situations where they are hurt during sexual activity and feels troubled by the intensity of the urges.
73. Paraphilic Disorder – Sexual Sadism Disorder
Meaning:
A pattern where sexual arousal depends on causing physical or psychological suffering to another person. It is considered a disorder when it causes distress or involves non-consenting individuals.
Example:
A man feels sexually excited only when inflicting pain on partners and experiences distress about the severity of these urges.
74. Pedophilic Disorder
Meaning:
A disorder involving sexual attraction toward prepubescent children (typically under 13). It becomes a diagnosable disorder when acted upon or when it causes significant distress or impairment.
Example:
A person experiences recurring sexual thoughts about children and feels ashamed and distressed by these impulses.
75. Disruptive Behavior Disorder, Unspecified
Meaning:
Behavioral symptoms such as aggression, rule-breaking, or irritability that cause impairment but do not meet full criteria for ODD or Conduct Disorder.
Example:
A child frequently gets into fights and breaks rules but does not show consistent patterns required for Conduct Disorder.
76. Kleptomania
Meaning:
A condition where a person repeatedly steals items they do not need. The theft is driven by tension before stealing and relief afterward, not by financial gain.
Example:
A woman steals small items like pens or accessories from stores despite having money and feeling ashamed afterward.
77. Pyromania
Meaning:
A rare impulse-control disorder where a person feels strong urges to set fires and experiences pleasure or relief when doing so. The behavior is not for revenge or financial gain.
Example:
A teenager repeatedly sets small fires in empty areas and says watching flames makes him feel calm.
78. Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
Meaning:
A disorder where a person repeatedly pulls out their hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas, causing noticeable hair loss and distress.
Example:
A student pulls out hair while stressed and hides bald patches with scarves or makeup.
79. Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder
Meaning:
Repetitive skin-picking that leads to wounds, scarring, or infections. The person feels unable to control the behavior despite attempts to stop.
Example:
A woman picks at her face for long periods each day, causing sores, and feels distressed but unable to stop.
80. Gambling Disorder (repeated for expansion)
Meaning:
A behavioral addiction involving persistent and problematic gambling behavior. The person often lies about losses, chases bets, borrows money, and continues despite negative consequences.
Example:
A man loses savings, hides gambling from his partner, and keeps betting to “win everything back” despite worsening financial problems.
81. Major Neurocognitive Disorder (Dementia)
Meaning:
A significant decline in one or more cognitive areas such as memory, attention, language, reasoning, or daily functioning. The decline is noticeable to others and interferes with independence. Causes include Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, traumatic brain injury, or other medical conditions.
Example:
An older adult repeatedly forgets familiar names, gets lost in known areas, struggles to manage finances, and needs help performing daily tasks.
82. Mild Neurocognitive Disorder
Meaning:
A mild decline in cognitive functioning that is noticeable but does not fully compromise independence. The person may need more effort or strategies to complete tasks but still functions mostly independently.
Example:
A woman forgets appointments unless she writes them down and has trouble finding words during conversations but manages daily life with support tools.
83. Alzheimer’s Disease (Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Alzheimer’s)
Meaning:
A progressive neurodegenerative condition leading to memory loss, difficulty with planning, language problems, and personality changes. It worsens over time and is the most common cause of dementia.
Example:
A man forgets recent events, repeats questions, misplaces items, and gradually becomes unable to recognize family members.
84. Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Meaning:
Cognitive decline caused by head injury. Symptoms may include memory loss, impaired attention, slowed thinking, mood changes, and difficulty planning.
Example:
After a road accident, a young adult struggles with concentration, forgets conversations, and behaves impulsively.
85. Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Parkinson’s Disease
Meaning:
Cognitive decline associated with Parkinson’s, including slower thinking, memory problems, reduced mental flexibility, and emotional changes, along with motor symptoms like tremors.
Example:
A man with Parkinson’s begins to struggle with problem-solving and remembering recent information, in addition to tremors.
86. Neurocognitive Disorder Due to HIV Infection
Meaning:
Cognitive impairment resulting from HIV affecting brain functioning. Symptoms include slowed thinking, poor attention, forgetfulness, and difficulty with planning.
Example:
A person with HIV begins to forget appointments and has difficulty concentrating at work.
87. Enuresis (Bedwetting)
Meaning:
Repeated urination into bed or clothing after age 5, occurring involuntarily. It may be linked to stress, delayed bladder control, or genetics.
Example:
A child wets the bed several nights a week despite being old enough to use the toilet independently.
88. Encopresis
Meaning:
Repeated passage of stool in inappropriate places (clothing, floor) in children over age 4. It may involve constipation, withholding stool, or emotional stressors.
Example:
A child soils their clothes regularly and avoids going to the toilet due to fear of pain from constipation.
89. Rumination Disorder
Meaning:
Repeated regurgitation of food for at least one month, not due to illness. The person may re-chew, re-swallow, or spit out the food. More common in infants but can occur in older children and adults.
Example:
A teenager repeatedly regurgitates small amounts of food after meals and re-swallows it without nausea or disgust.
90. Pica
Meaning:
Eating non-food items such as soil, chalk, paper, or hair for at least one month. It occurs most commonly in children, pregnant women, and individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Example:
A child regularly eats dirt and chalk from the classroom floor despite being taught it is unsafe.
91. Sleepwalking Disorder (Somnambulism)
Meaning:
A sleep disorder where the person rises from bed during deep sleep and walks around with minimal awareness. They may appear confused if awakened and usually do not remember the episode.
Example:
A teenager is found walking in the hallway at night, opening doors while still asleep, with no memory the next morning.
92. Sleep Terror Disorder (Night Terrors)
Meaning:
Episodes of intense fear during sleep, usually in children, involving screaming, rapid breathing, and confusion. The person does not remember the event afterward.
Example:
A child suddenly screams at night, appears terrified, and cannot be comforted, then falls back asleep without memory of it.
93. Nightmare Disorder
Meaning:
Repeated frightening dreams that cause waking and distress. Unlike sleep terrors, the person remembers the dream clearly and feels anxious afterward.
Example:
A man wakes from nightmares about being attacked and becomes afraid to fall asleep again.
94. Circadian Rhythm Sleep–Wake Disorder
Meaning:
A misalignment between the body’s internal clock and the external environment, leading to insomnia or excessive sleepiness. Includes delayed sleep phase (sleeping very late), shift-work disorder, and irregular sleep patterns.
Example:
A student cannot fall asleep before 3 AM and struggles to wake up for morning classes.
95. Restless Sleep Disorder (emerging clinical category)
Meaning:
Frequent tossing, turning, and restless sleep that does not refresh the person. Often linked to children with attention or behavioral issues.
Example:
A child moves constantly in bed, wakes frequently, and appears tired and irritable during the day.
96. Oppositional Defiant Behavior, Other Specified
Meaning:
Behavioral symptoms of defiance, irritability, or argumentativeness that do not meet full ODD criteria but cause impairment.
Example:
A child frequently talks back, refuses to follow instructions, and gets into conflicts at home, though not consistently enough for ODD diagnosis.
97. Social Anxiety Disorder (Performance Only Type)
Meaning:
A subtype where anxiety occurs only during performance situations such as public speaking or stage activities. Daily social interactions remain normal.
Example:
A student is confident in class discussions but panics before giving presentations.
98. Feeding Disorder of Infancy or Early Childhood
Meaning:
Difficulty eating or refusing food in very young children, leading to weight loss, nutritional deficiency, or reliance on supplements.
Example:
A toddler refuses most foods, eats only a few textures, and shows poor weight gain.
99. Delirium
Meaning:
A sudden and fluctuating disturbance in attention, awareness, and thinking, often caused by illness, medication, dehydration, or surgery. It is temporary but serious.
Example:
An elderly patient in the hospital becomes confused, agitated, sees things that aren't there, and doesn’t know where they are.
100. Internet Gaming Disorder (Condition for Further Study)
Meaning:
Excessive and compulsive gaming that interferes with daily life, sleep, school, work, or social relationships. Recognized as an emerging disorder requiring more research.
Example:
A teenager plays online games for 12 hours a day, skips school, becomes irritable when interrupted, and withdraws from family.
101. Substance Use Disorder – Stimulant (Cocaine, Amphetamine Type)
Meaning:
A problematic pattern of using stimulant drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines, leading to cravings, failed attempts to stop, risky behaviors, and psychological or physical harm. Symptoms may include agitation, paranoia, insomnia, and weight loss.
Example:
A man begins using cocaine “to stay awake” but eventually starts craving it daily, loses weight rapidly, and becomes suspicious and irritable.
102. Substance Use Disorder – Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic
Meaning:
Dependence on medications like benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Valium) or sleeping pills. Individuals develop tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and difficulty reducing use.
Example:
A woman who began taking sleeping pills occasionally now cannot sleep without them and becomes shaky and anxious when she tries to stop.
103. Tobacco Use Disorder
Meaning:
A compulsive need to use tobacco despite health risks. The person experiences cravings, withdrawal (irritability, anxiety), and continues smoking even after medical advice to quit.
Example:
A man smokes every hour, hides cigarettes from family, and experiences strong irritability when trying to reduce smoking.
104. Inhalant Use Disorder
Meaning:
Repeated misuse of inhalants such as glue, paint, gasoline, or aerosols, leading to cognitive, behavioral, and physical problems. Often seen in adolescents.
Example:
A teenager inhales paint thinner to “feel high,” becomes disoriented, develops headaches, and continues despite warnings.
105. Caffeine Intoxication
Meaning:
Symptoms that occur after consuming excessive caffeine—restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, or gastrointestinal problems.
Example:
A student drinks multiple energy drinks during exams and ends up trembling, anxious, and unable to sleep.
106. Caffeine Withdrawal
Meaning:
Physical and psychological symptoms that occur when someone who regularly consumes caffeine suddenly stops. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, low mood, and poor concentration.
Example:
A man who drinks five cups of tea daily develops severe headaches and irritability when he stops suddenly.
107. Tobacco Withdrawal
Meaning:
Symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, cravings, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating that occur after reducing or stopping tobacco use.
Example:
A woman trying to quit smoking feels tense, angry, and restless for several days after stopping.
108. Opioid Intoxication
Meaning:
Effects of recent opioid use, including drowsiness, slurred speech, impaired attention, and slowed breathing—potentially life-threatening in overdose.
Example:
A man who misuses pain pills appears extremely sleepy, speaks slowly, and has shallow breathing.
109. Opioid Withdrawal
Meaning:
Severe discomfort after stopping opioids, including muscle aches, sweating, nausea, anxiety, and insomnia. Symptoms are very distressing but usually not fatal.
Example:
A woman who stops using heroin experiences intense body pain, vomiting, chills, and restlessness.
110. Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)
Meaning:
Long-lasting perceptual disturbances following hallucinogen use. Individuals may experience flashbacks, visual distortions, and trailing lights long after the drug has left the body.
Example:
A young adult sees flickering lights and shifting colors weeks after taking LSD, even when sober.
111. Hallucinogen Intoxication
Meaning:
Temporary changes in perception and behavior due to substances like LSD, psilocybin, or mescaline. Symptoms include hallucinations, distorted senses, anxiety, and impaired judgment.
Example:
A person using LSD sees patterns on walls, misinterprets sounds, and becomes frightened by their altered perceptions.
112. Cannabis Intoxication
Meaning:
Short-term effects of cannabis use, including altered sense of time, impaired coordination, red eyes, increased appetite, and sometimes anxiety or paranoia.
Example:
A teenager becomes giggly, hungry, uncoordinated, and confused about time after smoking marijuana.
113. Cannabis Withdrawal
Meaning:
Symptoms that occur when a person who uses cannabis heavily stops suddenly—irritability, sleep problems, decreased appetite, and mood swings.
Example:
A daily cannabis user feels tense, sleeps poorly, and becomes easily angered after attempting to quit.
114. Alcohol Intoxication
Meaning:
Effects of drinking alcohol, such as impaired coordination, slurred speech, poor judgment, mood swings, and slowed reflexes. Severe intoxication can lead to unconsciousness.
Example:
A man becomes unsteady, speaks loudly, and behaves impulsively after drinking several drinks at a party.
115. Alcohol Withdrawal
Meaning:
Symptoms that occur when a heavy drinker stops drinking—tremors, sweating, anxiety, insomnia, and in severe cases, seizures or delirium tremens.
Example:
A man who drank heavily for years begins shaking, sweating, and hallucinating after suddenly stopping.
116. Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents and Adults
Meaning:
Persistent discomfort or distress due to a mismatch between one’s experienced gender and assigned sex. It affects emotional well-being and social functioning.
Example:
An adult assigned female at birth experiences intense distress living as a woman and expresses a strong identity as male.
117. Gender Dysphoria in Children
Meaning:
A child persistently expresses that their gender identity is different from the sex assigned at birth and displays behaviors, preferences, and feelings aligned with their experienced gender.
Example:
A child assigned male at birth prefers to dress as a girl, insists “I am a girl,” and becomes distressed when forced to act like a boy.
118. Sexual Dysfunction – Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder
Meaning:
Low sexual desire or difficulty becoming aroused in women, causing distress or relationship difficulties. Contributing factors can include hormones, stress, trauma, or relationship issues.
Example:
A woman feels little or no interest in sexual activity for months and becomes distressed about its impact on her marriage.
119. Sexual Dysfunction – Male Erectile Disorder
Meaning:
Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection during sexual activity, leading to distress. Can have psychological, medical, or combined causes.
Example:
A man repeatedly cannot achieve an erection with his partner despite feeling attracted, leading to embarrassment and worry.
120. Sexual Dysfunction – Female Orgasmic Disorder
Meaning:
Difficulty reaching orgasm despite adequate sexual stimulation, leading to frustration or relationship strain. Causes may be physical, emotional, or relational.
Example:
A woman experiences pleasurable sexual activity but is unable to reach orgasm and feels distressed about it.
121. Sexual Dysfunction – Delayed Ejaculation
Meaning:
A condition in which a man experiences significant delay in ejaculation or is unable to ejaculate despite adequate sexual stimulation and desire. The difficulty causes distress or relationship strain and may relate to psychological factors, medication effects, or medical issues.
Example:
A man takes much longer than usual to ejaculate during sexual activity, feels embarrassed, and becomes anxious about sexual encounters.
122. Sexual Dysfunction – Premature (Early) Ejaculation
Meaning:
Ejaculation that occurs earlier than desired, usually within one minute of penetration, causing personal distress or frustration. May involve anxiety, biological sensitivity, or learned patterns.
Example:
A man ejaculates very quickly during intercourse and feels frustrated and worried, leading to avoidance of sexual activity.
123. Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder
Meaning:
A condition in women involving pain during intercourse, fear or anxiety about pain, tightening of pelvic muscles, or difficulty with penetration. Often involves both physical and psychological components.
Example:
A woman experiences intense pain every time penetration is attempted and avoids sexual activity due to fear of discomfort.
124. Intellectual Developmental Disorder – Mild Severity
Meaning:
A level of intellectual disability where the person has below-average intellectual functioning but can learn academic and daily living skills with some support. Social and adaptive functioning may be slightly limited.
Example:
A young adult can perform simple jobs and self-care independently but needs help managing finances or complex tasks.
125. Intellectual Developmental Disorder – Moderate Severity
Meaning:
A condition where intellectual and adaptive functioning are more impaired. Individuals usually require ongoing support for daily tasks, communication, and learning but can perform simple activities with guidance.
Example:
A teenager can dress and eat independently but needs help with planning, safety awareness, and communication.
126. Intellectual Developmental Disorder – Severe Severity
Meaning:
Severe limitations in intellectual functioning, communication, and self-care. Individuals need extensive, repeated support for daily life and close supervision.
Example:
A child has limited speech, difficulty understanding instructions, and requires assistance for bathing, dressing, and eating.
127. Intellectual Developmental Disorder – Profound Severity
Meaning:
Very significant impairments in cognitive ability, mobility, communication, and self-care. The individual depends entirely on caregivers for all daily needs and often has additional neurological or medical issues.
Example:
A young adult requires full-time support, communicates mostly through gestures, and needs assistance with feeding and mobility.
128. Communication Disorder – Language Disorder
Meaning:
Persistent difficulty in acquiring and using language (spoken or written). Problems include limited vocabulary, poor sentence structure, or difficulty expressing ideas.
Example:
A child struggles to form complete sentences, uses very few words, and has trouble telling simple stories.
129. Speech Sound Disorder
Meaning:
A condition where children have difficulty producing speech sounds correctly, leading to unclear speech that is not age-appropriate. It is not due to hearing loss or neurological disorders.
Example:
A young child is understood only by family members because they substitute or omit many speech sounds.
130. Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder (Stuttering)
Meaning:
A speech disorder involving repeated sounds, syllables, or long pauses that disrupt normal speech flow. It may worsen with stress or anxiety.
Example:
A school-aged child repeats the first sound of words (“b-b-ball”) and becomes anxious when reading aloud in class.
131. Social Anxiety Disorder – Childhood Subtype
Meaning:
A form of social anxiety where children fear being judged or embarrassed. The anxiety appears in peer interactions, not just adult interactions.
Example:
A child refuses to join group activities, fears being laughed at, and clings to parents in social settings.
132. Selective Eating Disorder (Pediatric Feeding Subtype)
Meaning:
A severe restriction of food choice based on taste, texture, or appearance, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Unlike ARFID, this subtype focuses on sensory-driven avoidance.
Example:
A child eats only three specific foods and rejects all others because they “feel strange in my mouth,” resulting in weight loss.
133. Mild Cannabis Use Disorder
Meaning:
A low-level pattern of cannabis use causing some impairment—difficulty reducing use, occasional cravings, or minor social/academic impacts.
Example:
A college student uses marijuana most weekends and occasionally skips study sessions because of it.
134. Moderate Cannabis Use Disorder
Meaning:
A more persistent pattern of cannabis use with multiple symptoms—tolerance, withdrawal, impaired responsibilities, and ongoing conflicts due to use.
Example:
A young adult smokes daily, misses classes, and becomes irritable when trying to cut back.
135. Severe Cannabis Use Disorder
Meaning:
Intense dependence on cannabis with many symptoms—strong cravings, withdrawal, repeated failed attempts to quit, and significant impacts on work, relationships, and mood.
Example:
A man spends most of his day using cannabis, withdraws from family, loses productivity, and feels unable to function without it.
136. Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
Meaning:
Symptoms appearing after stopping antidepressant medication abruptly. Includes dizziness, irritability, brain “zaps,” nausea, and low mood. Not a disorder in the DSM but clinically recognized.
Example:
A woman stops her medication suddenly and experiences dizziness, electric-shock sensations, and emotional instability for several days.
137. Adjustment Disorder – With Anxiety
Meaning:
Stress-related symptoms dominated by nervousness, worry, restlessness, or fear triggered by a life event. Symptoms are stronger than expected for the situation.
Example:
After relocating to a new city, a young adult develops ongoing worry, trouble sleeping, and fear of meeting new people.
138. Adjustment Disorder – With Depressed Mood
Meaning:
Emotional symptoms such as sadness, hopelessness, or tearfulness occurring in response to a stressor and lasting less than six months after the stressor ends.
Example:
After a breakup, a college student feels persistently sad, unfocused, and withdrawn, though still able to function.
139. Adjustment Disorder – Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood
Meaning:
A combination of anxious and depressive symptoms triggered by a stressful event. The reaction is excessive compared to what is typical for the situation.
Example:
A woman loses her job and begins experiencing worry, sadness, sleep disturbances, and irritability for several months.
140. Adjustment Disorder – With Disturbance of Conduct
Meaning:
A stress-related condition where behavioral problems—aggression, destruction of property, rule-breaking—occur in response to an identifiable stressor.
Example:
After parents’ divorce, a teenager begins skipping school, arguing excessively, and engaging in risky behavior not seen before.
141. Adjustment Disorder – With Mixed Disturbance of Emotions and Conduct
Meaning:
A stress-related condition where a person shows both emotional symptoms (anxiety, sadness, irritability) and behavioral symptoms (aggression, rule-breaking, impulsivity). The reaction begins after a clear stressor and is more intense than expected.
Example:
After failing an important course, a college student becomes withdrawn and anxious but also begins skipping classes and arguing with teachers.
142. Adjustment Disorder – Unspecified
Meaning:
Maladaptive reactions to a stressor that cause significant distress or impairment but do not fit neatly into other adjustment-disorder categories. Symptoms may be a mixture of low mood, worry, and behavioral changes.
Example:
After moving to a new city, a woman becomes irritable, absentminded, and socially withdrawn without clear anxiety or depression.
143. Illness Anxiety Disorder – Care-Seeking Type
Meaning:
A subtype where the person frequently visits doctors, undergoes tests, and constantly seeks reassurance about feared illnesses despite minimal symptoms.
Example:
A man sees several specialists each month convinced he has a severe disease, despite consistently normal results.
144. Illness Anxiety Disorder – Care-Avoidant Type
Meaning:
A subtype where the person avoids medical visits out of fear of discovering serious illness. They constantly worry, monitor their body, and imagine worst-case scenarios.
Example:
A woman fears she has cancer but refuses to see a doctor, believing the diagnosis would be “catastrophic.”
145. Delusional Disorder – Persecutory Type
Meaning:
A subtype where the individual strongly believes they are being harmed, conspired against, or spied on. Thinking outside the delusion remains largely normal.
Example:
A man believes coworkers are plotting to poison his food, even though no evidence supports this.
146. Delusional Disorder – Grandiose Type
Meaning:
A type of delusion where a person believes they have exceptional power, talent, or importance, without basis in reality.
Example:
A woman insists she is a secret advisor to world leaders and believes her decisions influence global events.
147. Delusional Disorder – Erotomanic Type
Meaning:
A condition where a person believes another individual—often someone high-status or a stranger—is deeply in love with them.
Example:
A man insists a famous actress is sending him “secret signals” through television interviews.
148. Delusional Disorder – Jealous Type
Meaning:
A delusional belief that one’s partner is unfaithful, despite no evidence. The person may check phones, follow the partner, or interrogate them.
Example:
A husband becomes convinced his wife is cheating because she smiled at a cashier, despite her reassurance and loyalty.
149. Delusional Disorder – Somatic Type
Meaning:
A delusion involving bodily functions or sensations—such as believing one’s body is infested, deformed, or malfunctioning.
Example:
A woman believes insects are crawling under her skin even though medical tests show nothing abnormal.
150. Delusional Disorder – Mixed Type
Meaning:
Two or more types of delusions (such as persecutory + somatic + grandiose) present at the same time without a dominant theme.
Example:
A man believes the government is spying on him and also that he has a supernatural healing power.
151. Persistent Depressive Disorder – Early Onset
Meaning:
Chronic depression beginning before age 21. Symptoms persist for years, affecting social development, academic performance, and self-esteem.
Example:
A teenager has felt “different and sad” for as long as they remember, with ongoing low energy and pessimism.
152. Persistent Depressive Disorder – Late Onset
Meaning:
Depression that begins after age 21 and continues for at least two years. Often associated with adult stressors, relationships, or career challenges.
Example:
A woman develops chronic sadness and exhaustion in her thirties following prolonged work pressure.
153. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder – Somatic Type
Meaning:
A presentation of PMDD dominated by physical symptoms—breast pain, bloating, headaches, and fatigue—occurring before menstruation and improving afterward.
Example:
A woman experiences severe body discomfort and exhaustion a week before her period, making daily tasks difficult.
154. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder – Affective Type
Meaning:
A subtype dominated by emotional symptoms—irritability, sadness, anger, tearfulness, or mood swings—linked to menstrual cycles.
Example:
A woman notices intense mood swings and tearfulness every month before menstruation, affecting work and relationships.
155. Specific Phobia – Animal Type
Meaning:
Intense fear of a specific animal such as dogs, spiders, or snakes. The fear is disproportionate to the actual danger.
Example:
A woman screams and avoids parks because she fears encountering dogs, even friendly ones.
156. Specific Phobia – Natural Environment Type
Meaning:
Fear of natural situations like storms, heights, water, or darkness. Avoidance is severe and interferes with daily life.
Example:
A child refuses school trips involving mountains or lakes due to fear of deep water.
157. Specific Phobia – Blood-Injection-Injury Type
Meaning:
Fear triggered by seeing blood, receiving injections, or undergoing medical procedures. Often leads to fainting.
Example:
A young adult becomes dizzy and faints during routine blood tests.
158. Specific Phobia – Situational Type
Meaning:
Fear of specific situations such as flying, tunnels, bridges, or small spaces like elevators.
Example:
A business professional avoids flights and instead travels long distances by train to avoid airplanes.
159. Specific Phobia – Other Type
Meaning:
A subtype where fear is triggered by unusual stimuli such as choking, vomiting, loud sounds, or costumed characters.
Example:
A child refuses to attend school functions because mascots in costumes cause overwhelming anxiety.
160. Panic Attacks – Expected (Cued)
Meaning:
Panic attacks triggered by a specific situation, object, or fear—for example, social events, dogs, or flying.
Example:
A woman always experiences a panic attack when entering crowded malls, but not in other situations.
161. Panic Attacks – Unexpected (Uncued)
Meaning:
Panic attacks that occur out of the blue, without an obvious trigger. These episodes involve sudden, intense fear along with physical symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath. They often lead to fear of future attacks.
Example:
A man suddenly experiences a racing heart and trembling while relaxing at home, with no identifiable reason, and becomes afraid it will happen again.
162. Agoraphobia – With Panic Attacks
Meaning:
Avoidance of places where escape seems difficult and where the person fears having a panic attack. They may avoid malls, buses, open spaces, or traveling alone.
Example:
A woman avoids public transport because she fears she will have a panic attack and no one will help her.
163. Agoraphobia – Without Panic Attacks
Meaning:
Fear of certain places or situations due to concerns about being trapped, embarrassed, or unable to escape—not linked to panic attacks.
Example:
A man avoids crowded events because he fears being stuck in a large group, even though he never experiences panic symptoms.
164. Social Anxiety Disorder – Generalized Type
Meaning:
A broad and persistent fear of multiple social situations—conversations, eating in public, meeting new people, or being observed. The person fears negative judgment in many areas of social life.
Example:
A young adult avoids most social gatherings, rarely speaks in groups, and becomes extremely anxious interacting with strangers.
165. Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior – Nail Biting (Onychophagia)
Meaning:
A compulsive and repetitive habit of biting nails that leads to damaged nails, bleeding, or infection. Often associated with anxiety or tension.
Example:
A student bites her nails during stressful moments and continues even when her fingers become sore.
166. Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior – Cheek Biting
Meaning:
A habitual pattern of biting the inside of the cheek, often triggered by stress or boredom, causing soreness or wounds.
Example:
A man repeatedly bites the inside of his cheek during conversations, resulting in painful sores.
167. Tic Disorder – Provisional
Meaning:
Motor or vocal tics that appear suddenly and last less than one year. Most common in children and often triggered by stress or developmental factors.
Example:
A boy develops sudden shoulder jerks during exam season, which resolve in a few months.
168. Tourette’s Disorder – Moderate
Meaning:
Multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic occurring frequently but still allowing moderate daily functioning. Symptoms vary in frequency and intensity.
Example:
A teenager has repeated head jerks and throat clearing but manages schoolwork with support.
169. Tourette’s Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
More intense and frequent tics that significantly affect communication, movement, school performance, or social interactions.
Example:
A child has frequent, loud vocal tics and full-body movements that disrupt classroom activities.
170. Major Depressive Episode – With Atypical Features
Meaning:
A subtype of depression where mood temporarily brightens in response to positive events. Symptoms include increased appetite, heavy limbs, and sensitivity to rejection.
Example:
A woman feels deeply depressed but eats excessively and sleeps long hours; she briefly feels better when praised but quickly returns to low mood.
171. Major Depressive Episode – With Melancholic Features
Meaning:
A severe form of depression marked by loss of pleasure in all activities, profound sadness, early morning awakening, guilt, and significant appetite or weight loss.
Example:
A man wakes at 4 AM with intense despair, feels no joy in anything, and has no appetite.
172. Major Depressive Episode – With Psychotic Features
Meaning:
Depression accompanied by hallucinations or delusions, usually involving themes of guilt, worthlessness, or illness.
Example:
A woman believes she is responsible for natural disasters and hears voices accusing her, alongside intense depression.
173. Bipolar I Disorder – With Rapid Cycling
Meaning:
A subtype where a person experiences four or more mood episodes (mania, hypomania, or depression) within one year. Mood shifts are more frequent and unpredictable.
Example:
A man cycles between high-energy manic states and deep depression multiple times within months.
174. Bipolar II Disorder – With Seasonal Pattern
Meaning:
Depressive or hypomanic episodes occur during specific seasons, often winter for depression or spring for hypomania.
Example:
A woman experiences severe depression every winter but becomes unusually energized and productive each spring.
175. Cyclothymic Disorder – With Anxious Distress
Meaning:
A variant of cyclothymia where mood fluctuations are accompanied by constant worry, tension, and fear of losing control.
Example:
A man alternates between mild highs and lows but also feels anxious throughout the day, fearing his mood changes.
176. PTSD – With Dissociative Symptoms
Meaning:
A form of PTSD involving episodes of depersonalization or derealization alongside typical PTSD symptoms like flashbacks and hyperarousal.
Example:
A survivor of an accident has flashbacks but also sometimes feels detached from their body during stressful moments.
177. PTSD – With Delayed Expression
Meaning:
Symptoms of PTSD appear at least six months after the traumatic event. The person may initially seem fine but later develops intense symptoms.
Example:
A soldier appears stable after returning home but develops nightmares and avoidance behaviors months later.
178. Acute Stress Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
A more intense reaction to trauma within the first month—more dissociation, confusion, intrusive memories, and avoidance.
Example:
A robbery victim becomes disoriented, avoids opening doors, and cannot recall parts of the event for days.
179. Somatic Symptom Disorder – With Predominant Pain
Meaning:
A subtype where physical pain is the main symptom, accompanied by excessive worry or focus on the pain that interferes with daily life.
Example:
A woman with chronic back pain spends hours researching possible causes and becomes extremely distressed despite normal tests.
180. Somatic Symptom Disorder – Persistent Severe Type
Meaning:
A long-standing pattern of intense physical symptoms and excessive health-related behaviors lasting more than six months. Causes major disruption to daily functioning.
Example:
A man repeatedly visits hospitals for chest pain, believes he has heart disease despite normal tests, and spends most of his time monitoring his body.
181. Illness Anxiety Disorder – Chronic Type
Meaning:
A long-term pattern of excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness, lasting for years. Even when symptoms are minimal or absent, the anxiety remains strong and persistent.
Example:
A woman has spent years fearing cancer despite normal tests. She constantly checks her skin, monitors her body, and feels distressed daily.
182. Illness Anxiety Disorder – Episodic Type
Meaning:
Health anxiety that comes and goes. Periods of worry alternate with periods of relative calm. Symptoms rise again during stress or after minor physical sensations.
Example:
A man feels healthy for months but becomes convinced he has a serious illness every time he gets a headache or minor pain.
183. Dissociative Identity Disorder – With Amnesia Gaps
Meaning:
A form of DID where switching between identities causes major memory gaps—missing hours, days, or events the person cannot recall.
Example:
A woman finds clothes she doesn’t remember buying and is told she behaved differently the previous night.
184. Dissociative Identity Disorder – Without Amnesia Gaps
Meaning:
A presentation where distinct personality states are present, but the person recalls most events. They still feel their identity is fragmented or shifting.
Example:
A man feels as if different parts of him “take over” in certain situations, though he remembers what happened afterward.
185. Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder – Persistent Type
Meaning:
Chronic and continuous episodes of feeling detached from oneself or surroundings. The world may feel dreamlike, or the person may feel emotionally numb for long periods.
Example:
A young adult feels like they are living on “autopilot” for weeks and describes the world as foggy or distant.
186. Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder – Episode-Based Type
Meaning:
Symptoms come in episodes, often triggered by stress, trauma reminders, or fatigue. Between episodes, the person feels normal.
Example:
A student feels detached from their body during exams but returns to normal afterward.
187. Conversion Disorder – With Weakness or Paralysis
Meaning:
Psychological stress causes loss of movement or strength in a limb or body part despite no neurological damage.
Example:
A man temporarily loses the ability to move his arm after a major argument at work.
188. Conversion Disorder – With Abnormal Movement
Meaning:
Involuntary movements such as tremors, spasms, or gait disturbances caused by psychological stress rather than physical injury.
Example:
A woman develops tremors in her hands during a period of emotional conflict, though tests show no medical cause.
189. Conversion Disorder – With Speech Symptoms
Meaning:
Psychogenic problems involving speech, such as stuttering, slurred speech, or loss of voice, following stress or trauma.
Example:
A teenager temporarily loses their voice after witnessing a violent event but has no throat illness.
190. Conversion Disorder – With Seizures (Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures)
Meaning:
Episodes resembling epileptic seizures—shaking, fainting, or unresponsiveness—caused by psychological factors rather than abnormal brain activity.
Example:
A woman collapses during stress and shakes uncontrollably, but EEG scans show no seizure activity.
191. Schizoaffective Disorder – Bipolar Type
Meaning:
A form of schizoaffective disorder where psychotic symptoms (delusions or hallucinations) occur along with episodes of mania or hypomania.
Example:
A man believes voices are commenting on his actions while also experiencing periods of extreme energy and impulsive behavior.
192. Schizoaffective Disorder – Depressive Type
Meaning:
A subtype where psychotic symptoms occur alongside major depressive episodes, without manic episodes.
Example:
A woman hears voices telling her she is worthless and also experiences profound sadness and loss of interest.
193. Schizophrenia – With Catatonia
Meaning:
A subtype involving motor abnormalities such as immobility, rigid postures, echoing speech, or excessive movement unrelated to the environment.
Example:
A person stands motionless for hours or repeats others' words without meaning to.
194. Schizophrenia – With Prominent Negative Symptoms
Meaning:
A presentation dominated by symptoms like flat affect, reduced speech, lack of motivation, and social withdrawal.
Example:
A young adult stops interacting with family, speaks rarely, and shows no facial expression even during emotional events.
195. Brief Psychotic Disorder – With Marked Stressors
Meaning:
A short-lasting psychotic episode triggered by a major stressor such as trauma, breakup, or loss. Symptoms last less than a month.
Example:
After a sudden divorce, a woman temporarily believes neighbors are spying on her, but symptoms resolve within weeks.
196. Brief Psychotic Disorder – Without Marked Stressors
Meaning:
A sudden onset of psychosis without an identifiable trigger. Duration is still under one month.
Example:
A man begins hearing voices and showing disorganized behavior without any obvious cause, returning to normal after two weeks.
197. Brief Psychotic Disorder – With Postpartum Onset
Meaning:
Psychotic symptoms that begin during pregnancy or within four weeks after childbirth. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and confusion.
Example:
A new mother becomes convinced her baby is in danger from invisible forces and appears very confused.
198. Substance/Medication-Induced Psychotic Disorder
Meaning:
Hallucinations or delusions caused directly by substance use, intoxication, or withdrawal. Symptoms resolve once the substance leaves the system.
Example:
A man using stimulants becomes convinced strangers are watching him, but the belief fades when he stops using the drug.
199. Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder
Meaning:
Anxiety, panic, or restlessness triggered by a substance such as caffeine, stimulants, steroids, or withdrawal from alcohol or sedatives.
Example:
A person taking high doses of steroids becomes extremely anxious, jumpy, and irritable.
200. Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder
Meaning:
A depressive episode caused by drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms appear during use or withdrawal and typically improve after stopping the substance.
Example:
A man taking strong pain medications becomes hopeless, exhausted, and uninterested in daily life, with symptoms improving once the medication is discontinued.
201. Substance/Medication-Induced Bipolar and Related Disorder
Meaning:
A mood condition where manic or hypomanic symptoms are triggered by medication, drugs, or withdrawal. The person may show elevated mood, high energy, irritability, or risky behavior. Symptoms usually improve once the substance clears.
Example:
A man taking high doses of steroids suddenly becomes unusually energetic, sleeps only a few hours, talks rapidly, and makes impulsive purchases.
202. Substance/Medication-Induced Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder
Meaning:
Intrusive thoughts, compulsions, or repetitive behaviors caused by substance use or medication. Symptoms begin soon after exposure and decline when the substance is stopped.
Example:
A woman taking a stimulant medication develops compulsive cleaning rituals she never had before.
203. Substance/Medication-Induced Sleep Disorder
Meaning:
Insomnia, excessive sleepiness, altered sleep cycles, or nightmares caused by medications, drugs, or withdrawal.
Example:
A teen drinking multiple energy drinks develops severe insomnia and irregular sleep-wake cycles.
204. Substance/Medication-Induced Sexual Dysfunction
Meaning:
Sexual difficulties (lack of desire, erectile problems, delayed orgasm, or pain) caused by certain medications or substances, such as antidepressants or alcohol.
Example:
A man taking antidepressants experiences difficulty achieving orgasm despite previous normal functioning.
205. Delirium – Due to Another Medical Condition
Meaning:
A sudden disturbance in attention, awareness, and thinking caused by an underlying illness such as infection, dehydration, metabolic imbalance, or organ failure.
Example:
An older adult with a urinary infection suddenly becomes confused, disoriented, and agitated, but symptoms resolve after treatment.
206. Delirium – Substance Intoxication Type
Meaning:
Acute confusion, hallucinations, and disorientation caused by intoxication with drugs such as alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, or hallucinogens.
Example:
A man intoxicated with high doses of alcohol experiences confusion, sees things that are not there, and cannot recognize familiar people.
207. Delirium – Substance Withdrawal Type
Meaning:
A sudden change in awareness and thinking due to withdrawal from addictive substances, especially alcohol or sedatives. Can be life-threatening.
Example:
A heavy drinker suddenly stops alcohol and becomes severely disoriented, trembles, and hallucinates.
208. Delirium – Multiple Etiologies
Meaning:
Confusion and cognitive impairment caused by a combination of factors—medications, infection, dehydration, lack of sleep, or substance use.
Example:
A hospitalized patient taking several medications becomes confused due to combined effects of drugs and illness.
209. Major Neurocognitive Disorder – With Behavioral Disturbance
Meaning:
Cognitive decline accompanied by agitation, aggression, wandering, hallucinations, or personality changes.
Example:
An elderly man with dementia begins wandering at night, becomes easily irritated, and accuses family members of stealing.
210. Major Neurocognitive Disorder – Without Behavioral Disturbance
Meaning:
Significant cognitive impairment (memory loss, poor judgment) without major behavioral symptoms.
Example:
A woman forgets recent events and struggles with planning but does not show aggression or agitation.
211. Mild Neurocognitive Disorder – Due to Vascular Disease
Meaning:
Cognitive problems caused by small strokes or reduced blood flow in the brain. Symptoms may include slowed thinking and difficulty planning.
Example:
A man experiences trouble organizing tasks after multiple small strokes but still performs basic daily activities independently.
212. Mild Neurocognitive Disorder – Due to Traumatic Brain Injury
Meaning:
A mild decline in thinking skills following head injury. Symptoms include attention problems, irritability, and mild memory deficits.
Example:
A young adult has trouble concentrating and becomes easily frustrated months after a sports-related concussion.
213. Mild Neurocognitive Disorder – Due to Substance Use
Meaning:
Cognitive difficulties caused by long-term substance use, such as attention deficits, memory problems, or slowed thinking.
Example:
A longtime alcohol user forgets details from conversations and struggles with mental tasks.
214. Neurocognitive Disorder – Due to Huntington’s Disease
Meaning:
Cognitive decline caused by Huntington’s, including memory problems, impaired judgment, mood changes, and involuntary movements.
Example:
A middle-aged person develops mood swings, forgetfulness, and uncontrolled movements due to a hereditary condition.
215. Neurocognitive Disorder – Due to Lewy Body Disease
Meaning:
A progressive condition with fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, and Parkinson-like movement symptoms.
Example:
An older adult alternates between clear and confused thinking and frequently sees vivid, detailed visual images that are not real.
216. Neurocognitive Disorder – Due to Frontotemporal Degeneration
Meaning:
A type of dementia affecting personality, social behaviors, and language, often beginning at a younger age than Alzheimer’s.
Example:
A previously polite man becomes socially inappropriate, impulsive, and insensitive toward others.
217. Sleep-Related Hypoventilation Disorder
Meaning:
A condition where breathing is too shallow during sleep, leading to reduced oxygen and disrupted sleep. Often related to obesity, lung disease, or medication effects.
Example:
A man breathes very shallowly during sleep, wakes up tired, and has morning headaches.
218. Sleep Apnea (Obstructive Type)
Meaning:
Breathing repeatedly stops during sleep due to blocked airways. Causes loud snoring, gasping, daytime fatigue, and concentration problems.
Example:
A woman snores loudly and wakes up gasping. She feels exhausted during the day despite long hours of sleep.
219. Sleep Apnea (Central Type)
Meaning:
Breathing pauses during sleep due to brain failing to send proper signals to breathing muscles, not due to airway blockage.
Example:
A man with heart failure stops breathing multiple times during sleep and wakes up feeling dizzy and fatigued.
220. Nightmare Disorder – Chronic Type
Meaning:
Frequent, disturbing nightmares that happen over a long period (months or years), leading to sleep avoidance, anxiety, or daytime fatigue.
Example:
A woman experiences nightmares several times a week about past trauma, causing difficulty sleeping and fear of going to bed.
221. Nightmare Disorder – Acute Type
Meaning:
Nightmares that begin suddenly and occur frequently for a short period (days to weeks), often triggered by stress, trauma reminders, or major life changes.
Example:
A student preparing for final exams experiences a week of intense nightmares about failure and wakes up repeatedly during the night.
222. Nightmare Disorder – Recurrent Type
Meaning:
Nightmares that return periodically throughout the year, often linked to emotional triggers or sleep disruptions.
Example:
A man has cycles of nightmares every few months, usually during stressful periods at work.
223. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep Behavior Disorder
Meaning:
A condition in which the person acts out dreams due to failure of normal muscle paralysis during REM sleep. This may include shouting, kicking, or hitting during dreams.
Example:
A man kicks and punches in his sleep while dreaming of being attacked, accidentally injuring his partner.
224. Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) Sleep Arousal Disorder – Sleepwalking Type
Meaning:
Recurrent episodes of rising from bed and walking around with minimal awareness. The person often appears confused and has no memory of the episode.
Example:
A child is found wandering in the hallway at night, opening doors without waking up.
225. NREM Sleep Arousal Disorder – Sleep Terror Type
Meaning:
Sudden episodes of screaming, intense fear, and rapid breathing during deep sleep. The person is hard to wake and usually has no memory of the event.
Example:
A child wakes the household with screams but cannot be comforted and returns to sleep without recalling the terror.
226. Sleep-Related Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Meaning:
Grinding or clenching teeth during sleep, causing jaw pain, headaches, and dental damage. Often linked with stress or anxiety.
Example:
A woman wakes with jaw soreness and is told by her dentist that she grinds her teeth heavily at night.
227. Sleep-Related Groaning (Catathrenia)
Meaning:
A rare sleep condition in which the person makes prolonged groaning sounds during exhalation in sleep. Usually unintentional and not dangerous but may disturb partners.
Example:
A man’s partner reports long groaning sounds during his sleep, although he wakes unaware of the behavior.
228. Insomnia Disorder – With Sleep Onset Difficulty
Meaning:
Trouble falling asleep despite adequate opportunity, leading to fatigue and distress during the day.
Example:
A student lies awake for hours even when tired and struggles to wake up for morning classes.
229. Insomnia Disorder – With Sleep Maintenance Difficulty
Meaning:
The person falls asleep normally but wakes up frequently or too early, unable to return to sleep.
Example:
A woman wakes at 2 or 3 AM every night and feels exhausted during the day.
230. Hypersomnolence Disorder
Meaning:
Excessive sleepiness despite getting adequate or long sleep. The person may take long naps, struggle to stay awake, and feel unrefreshed.
Example:
A young adult sleeps ten hours nightly but still falls asleep at work and in lectures.
231. Circadian Rhythm Disorder – Shift Work Type
Meaning:
Difficulty maintaining a normal sleep schedule due to working nighttime or rotating shifts. Causes insomnia or excessive sleepiness.
Example:
A nurse who works rotating shifts feels constantly tired and struggles to stay awake on night duty.
232. Circadian Rhythm Disorder – Delayed Sleep Phase Type
Meaning:
A person naturally falls asleep very late (often after 2–3 AM) and struggles to wake up early. Common in adolescents and young adults.
Example:
A teenager cannot fall asleep before 3 AM and is extremely tired during morning classes.
233. Circadian Rhythm Disorder – Advanced Sleep Phase Type
Meaning:
The person falls asleep very early (6–8 PM) and wakes up extremely early (2–4 AM), often seen in older adults.
Example:
A retiree falls asleep every evening before sunset and wakes up before dawn, unable to stay asleep.
234. Circadian Rhythm Disorder – Irregular Sleep–Wake Type
Meaning:
A disorganized sleep schedule with multiple naps and fragmented sleep–wake patterns. No clear nighttime sleep period.
Example:
An older adult sleeps in short bursts throughout day and night, never feeling fully rested.
235. Circadian Rhythm Disorder – Non-24-Hour Type
Meaning:
A sleep disorder where the internal body clock runs longer than 24 hours, commonly seen in people who are totally blind. Sleep and wake times shift a little later each day.
Example:
A blind man finds his sleep schedule drifting later each week, making it hard to maintain routines.
236. Oppositional Defiant Disorder – Angry/Irritable Mood Type
Meaning:
A subtype dominated by chronic anger, resentfulness, and frequent temper outbursts, often directed at authority figures.
Example:
A child frequently loses temper and reacts angrily to simple instructions from parents or teachers.
237. Oppositional Defiant Disorder – Argumentative/Defiant Behavior Type
Meaning:
A subtype marked by argumentative, disobedient, and provocative behaviors toward adults and rules.
Example:
A boy challenges every instruction, argues with teachers, and deliberately breaks classroom regulations.
238. Oppositional Defiant Disorder – Vindictiveness Type
Meaning:
A less common form where the child deliberately seeks revenge or tries to hurt others through spiteful actions.
Example:
A child intentionally hides classmates’ belongings after conflicts to “get back at them.”
239. Conduct Disorder – Childhood-Onset Type
Meaning:
A severe behavior disorder where symptoms such as aggression, rule-breaking, and harming others appear before age 10. Often predicts more serious problems later.
Example:
A 9-year-old frequently fights, steals, and destroys property, showing little guilt.
240. Conduct Disorder – Adolescent-Onset Type
Meaning:
Behavioral problems begin during adolescence, often less severe than early onset. Symptoms include lying, stealing, truancy, and risky behaviors.
Example:
A 15-year-old begins skipping school, vandalizing property, and shoplifting, behaviors not seen in childhood.
241. Conduct Disorder – With Limited Prosocial Emotions
Meaning:
A severe subtype where the child or adolescent shows callousness, lack of empathy, shallow emotions, and little guilt. These traits make the behavior more persistent and difficult to treat.
Example:
A teenager bullies classmates, steals from family, and shows no remorse or concern for how others feel, even when confronted.
242. Disruptive Behavior Disorder – Other Specified
Meaning:
A pattern of disruptive, impulsive, or aggressive behaviors that cause significant problems but do not meet full criteria for ODD or Conduct Disorder.
Example:
A child frequently becomes angry, throws objects, and disrupts class but does not consistently violate rules or harm others.
243. Disruptive Behavior Disorder – Unspecified
Meaning:
A general category used when disruptive behaviors are present and cause impairment but the clinician lacks enough detail to assign a more precise diagnosis.
Example:
A child displays frequent tantrums and rule-breaking, but information from home and school is inconsistent for a specific disorder.
244. Intermittent Explosive Disorder – Frequent Mild Outbursts
Meaning:
Repeated episodes of verbal aggression or minor physical aggression that occur frequently (several times per week). Outbursts are impulsive and disproportionate to the situation.
Example:
A man shouts angrily and slams doors several times a week when small frustrations occur.
245. Intermittent Explosive Disorder – Occasional Severe Outbursts
Meaning:
Less frequent but more intense episodes involving physical aggression or damage to property, driven by loss of control.
Example:
A woman throws objects or punches walls during intense anger episodes a few times a year.
246. Kleptomania – Recurrent Type
Meaning:
Chronic episodes of stealing things not needed for personal use or monetary value, accompanied by tension before stealing and relief afterward.
Example:
A man steals inexpensive items from stores even though he can afford them and feels guilty afterward.
247. Pyromania – Repeated Fire-Setting
Meaning:
A rare impulse disorder where the person repeatedly sets fires intentionally, experiencing fascination or tension relief before the act.
Example:
A teenager secretly lights small fires in abandoned areas and watches them burn with intense interest.
248. Trichotillomania – Scalp-Focused
Meaning:
Hair pulling focused mainly on the scalp, leading to noticeable bald spots. Often associated with stress or anxiety.
Example:
A woman pulls hair from the top of her head during stressful moments and hides bald patches with scarves.
249. Trichotillomania – Body Hair–Focused
Meaning:
Hair pulling from eyelashes, eyebrows, or other body parts. The person may not realize when they are pulling.
Example:
A teenager pulls out eyelashes while reading or watching TV without being fully aware of doing it.
250. Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder – Mild
Meaning:
Occasional but distressing picking at skin that causes small wounds or scabs. The person attempts to stop but struggles.
Example:
A student picks at acne spots during exams, causing small marks on the face.
251. Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
Intense and frequent skin-picking leading to bleeding, infections, noticeable scars, and significant emotional distress.
Example:
A woman spends hours picking at her arms each night, causing deep wounds requiring medical care.
252. Gender Dysphoria – Post-Transition Specifier
Meaning:
A designation used for individuals who have completed part or all of a gender transition (social, hormonal, surgical) but still experience distress related to remaining incongruence or social difficulties.
Example:
A transgender woman who has transitioned still experiences significant distress due to discrimination and residual dysphoria.
253. Gender Dysphoria – With Autistic Traits
Meaning:
Individuals who show both gender dysphoria and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. Social communication patterns may influence how gender identity is expressed.
Example:
A teenager on the autism spectrum expresses strong discomfort with their assigned gender but struggles to articulate feelings directly.
254. Somatic Symptom Disorder – Health Anxiety Dominant
Meaning:
Physical symptoms are present but mild, and the main problem is severe anxiety and preoccupation with health.
Example:
A man has mild stomach discomfort but obsessively fears it indicates a life-threatening condition.
255. Somatic Symptom Disorder – Symptom Burden Dominant
Meaning:
Multiple physical complaints (pain, fatigue, dizziness) that disrupt daily routines and create high levels of medical care-seeking.
Example:
A woman frequently visits clinics for pain in different body parts, feeling overwhelmed by her symptoms.
256. Factitious Disorder (Imposed on Self)
Meaning:
The individual deliberately produces or exaggerates symptoms in themselves to assume the sick role and receive attention or care. They are not seeking financial gain.
Example:
A man injects himself with bacteria to create infections and repeatedly goes to hospitals claiming mysterious illnesses.
257. Factitious Disorder (Imposed on Another) – Formerly “Munchausen by Proxy”
Meaning:
A caregiver deliberately causes or fabricates illness in another person, usually a child, to gain attention or sympathy.
Example:
A mother gives her child unnecessary medications to create symptoms and frequently brings the child to the hospital.
258. Malingering (Not a DSM Disorder, but Clinically Used)
Meaning:
Intentional faking or exaggeration of symptoms for external gains such as disability benefits, avoiding work, obtaining drugs, or escaping legal consequences.
Example:
A man pretends to have back pain to receive compensation and avoid returning to work.
259. Paraphilic Disorder – Other Specified
Meaning:
A category for sexual interests that are distressing or impairing but do not fit other specific paraphilic disorder definitions.
Example:
A person becomes distressed by urges related to unusual sexual behaviors but does not act on them.
260. Paraphilic Disorder – Unspecified
Meaning:
Used when symptoms of paraphilia cause distress or impairment but lack enough detail or clarity to categorize precisely.
Example:
A clinician notes harmful sexual impulses that do not match any defined paraphilic disorder but still require treatment.
61. Autism Spectrum Disorder – Level 1 (Requiring Support)
Meaning:
A milder level of autism where individuals can function independently but struggle with social communication, flexibility, and adapting to change. They may appear socially awkward or rigid.
Example:
A young adult can attend college but finds group work overwhelming, avoids eye contact, and becomes anxious when routines change unexpectedly.
262. Autism Spectrum Disorder – Level 2 (Requiring Substantial Support)
Meaning:
A moderate level of autism where communication difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities significantly impact daily functioning. The person needs regular assistance.
Example:
A child speaks in short sentences, becomes distressed by loud sounds, and relies on teachers or caregivers to navigate routines.
263. Autism Spectrum Disorder – Level 3 (Requiring Very Substantial Support)
Meaning:
A more severe form involving minimal speech, intense repetitive behaviors, and extreme difficulty coping with change. The person requires extensive support in all areas of daily life.
Example:
A boy becomes severely distressed by small routine changes, communicates using only a few words, and needs full-time caregiver support.
264. ADHD – Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
Meaning:
A subtype where problems with focus, organization, forgetfulness, and sustained effort are more prominent than hyperactivity.
Example:
A girl frequently loses school materials, forgets instructions, and struggles to complete assignments.
265. ADHD – Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Presentation
Meaning:
A subtype dominated by restlessness, excessive movement, interrupting, and impulsive behaviors without significant inattentiveness.
Example:
A child constantly fidgets, talks excessively, runs around the classroom, and interrupts conversations.
266. ADHD – Combined Presentation
Meaning:
A subtype involving both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. This is the most common ADHD presentation.
Example:
A teenage boy cannot stay seated during class, loses focus easily, forgets tasks, and makes impulsive decisions.
267. Specific Learning Disorder – With Impairment in Reading (Dyslexia)
Meaning:
Difficulty decoding, reading fluently, or comprehending written words despite average intelligence and schooling.
Example:
A bright student reads very slowly, confuses similar-looking words, and struggles to understand text.
268. Specific Learning Disorder – With Impairment in Written Expression (Dysgraphia)
Meaning:
Challenges with spelling, grammar, handwriting, and organizing ideas into written form.
Example:
A child has messy handwriting, makes many spelling errors, and struggles to write coherent sentences.
269. Specific Learning Disorder – With Impairment in Mathematics (Dyscalculia)
Meaning:
Difficulty understanding numbers, solving math problems, memorizing facts, or performing calculations.
Example:
A student struggles with basic addition, forgets multiplication tables, and becomes overwhelmed during math tests.
270. Communication Disorder – Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder (Stuttering), Persistent
Meaning:
Long-term stuttering that does not resolve in early childhood. Symptoms include sound repetitions, blocks, and speech tension.
Example:
A teenager repeats syllables and gets “stuck” on certain words, especially when anxious.
271. Language Disorder – Expressive Type
Meaning:
Difficulty expressing thoughts verbally, using age-appropriate vocabulary, or forming complex sentences, while comprehension may be relatively intact.
Example:
A child understands instructions but struggles to describe stories or express ideas clearly.
272. Language Disorder – Receptive-Expressive Type
Meaning:
Difficulty understanding spoken language and expressing thoughts. Learning new words is slow and communication is limited.
Example:
A child has trouble following multi-step instructions and uses short, simple phrases to communicate.
273. Social Communication Disorder – Mild
Meaning:
Subtle difficulties with conversational rules, social cues, humor, or understanding perspective. Functioning is relatively preserved.
Example:
A student maintains eye contact but struggles with sarcasm and takes jokes literally.
274. Social Communication Disorder – Moderate
Meaning:
Clear social language difficulties interfering with friendships, group work, and communication. The person may misinterpret social cues regularly.
Example:
A child frequently interrupts peers, cannot adjust tone of voice, and misunderstands facial expressions.
275. Social Communication Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
Significant impairment in social language affecting school functioning, relationships, and everyday communication. The person needs structured support.
Example:
A teenager struggles to carry conversations, rarely understands implicit meanings, and often appears socially disconnected.
276. Reactive Attachment Disorder – Inhibited Type
Meaning:
Children limit emotional expression, rarely seek comfort, and appear withdrawn. Usually caused by neglect or inconsistent caregiving.
Example:
A young child avoids being held, shows little emotion, and does not approach caregivers when hurt.
277. Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
A child approaches strangers too freely, shows lack of boundaries, and does not use caregivers as a safety base.
Example:
A child hugs unfamiliar adults in public and willingly leaves with strangers, showing no recognition of danger.
278. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder – Sensory Sensitivity Type
Meaning:
Food refusal due to strong sensory reactions to texture, smell, taste, or temperature.
Example:
A child eats only soft foods because crunchy textures make them gag.
279. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder – Fear-Based Type
Meaning:
Food avoidance triggered by fear of choking, vomiting, or allergic reactions, even after an isolated incident.
Example:
A boy refuses all solid foods after choking once and now eats only liquids.
280. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder – Lack of Interest Type
Meaning:
A subtype where a person shows little interest in eating, takes very small portions, and forgets or avoids meals.
Example:
A teenager often skips meals unintentionally because food does not appeal to him, leading to weight loss.
281. Feeding Disorder of Infancy – Appetite Loss Type
Meaning:
A pattern in infants or young children where appetite is significantly reduced and eating becomes extremely limited, leading to weight loss or poor growth, without a medical reason.
Example:
A toddler refuses most meals, eats very little each day, and begins to fall below the expected growth curve despite normal medical tests.
282. Feeding Disorder of Infancy – Parent–Child Interaction Type
Meaning:
Feeding difficulty resulting from conflict, stress, or poor communication between caregiver and child. The child may resist feeding, and the caregiver may feel anxious or forceful.
Example:
A mother struggles to feed her child, who refuses to eat when pressured, creating a cycle of stress during mealtimes.
283. Enuresis – Nocturnal Only Type
Meaning:
Bedwetting that occurs during nighttime sleep only, in children who are old enough to have bladder control.
Example:
A 7-year-old wets the bed several nights per week but has no daytime accidents.
284. Enuresis – Diurnal Only Type
Meaning:
Urination accidents occurring only during the daytime, often related to attention issues, bladder training, or emotional stress.
Example:
A school-aged child frequently has urine accidents during class when deeply focused on activities.
285. Enuresis – Combined Type
Meaning:
Both daytime and nighttime urinary accidents occur. Often linked with developmental delays, stress, or inconsistent toilet routines.
Example:
A child has accidents both during school and at night, requiring scheduled bathroom reminders.
286. Encopresis – With Constipation and Overflow Incontinence
Meaning:
Stool retention causes constipation and leakage, leading to soiling of clothing. The child may avoid the toilet due to fear of pain.
Example:
A child soils their underwear frequently because they avoid bowel movements, leading to hardened stools.
287. Encopresis – Without Constipation
Meaning:
Soiling in inappropriate places not caused by medical constipation. Often associated with behavioral or emotional challenges.
Example:
A child passes stool on the floor or in clothes despite having the physical ability to use the toilet.
288. Pica – Childhood-Onset
Meaning:
Persistent eating of non-food items like soil, chalk, or paper in young children beyond expected developmental behavior.
Example:
A child routinely eats crayons and dirt from the playground.
289. Pica – Adult-Onset
Meaning:
Eating non-food substances beginning in adulthood, often associated with nutritional deficiencies, pregnancy, or mental health issues.
Example:
A pregnant woman craves and eats clay or laundry starch despite knowing it is unsafe.
290. Rumination Disorder – Infant Type
Meaning:
An infant repeatedly regurgitates and re-chews food without nausea or distress. May lead to poor growth.
Example:
A baby brings up recently eaten milk and chews it again multiple times a day.
291. Rumination Disorder – Adolescent/Adult Type
Meaning:
Older individuals habitually regurgitate food without medical explanation, often triggered by stress or anxiety.
Example:
A teenager regurgitates meals after eating, re-swallows them, and hides this behavior due to embarrassment.
292. Delusional Disorder – With Bizarre Content
Meaning:
Delusions that are clearly impossible (e.g., believing organs have been removed without scars). Behavior outside the delusion may be largely normal.
Example:
A man believes aliens replaced his bones with plastic, despite no medical evidence or physical signs.
293. Delusional Disorder – Non-Bizarre Content
Meaning:
Delusions involving situations that could theoretically happen, such as being followed, poisoned, or loved from afar.
Example:
A woman believes her neighbor is secretly monitoring her phone calls, though he has no access.
294. Paranoid Personality Disorder – Moderate
Meaning:
A consistent pattern of distrust and suspicion, but the person can maintain some relationships and work roles.
Example:
A man assumes colleagues talk behind his back and constantly searches for hidden motives.
295. Paranoid Personality Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
More intense suspicion leading to hostility, isolation, and chronic relationship problems. The person interprets nearly all actions as threats.
Example:
A woman avoids most social contact, believes strangers intend harm, and frequently accuses family members of betrayal.
296. Schizoid Personality Disorder – Emotional Detachment Type
Meaning:
Marked preference for solitude, limited emotional expression, and little interest in relationships.
Example:
A man lives alone, avoids social gatherings, and shows no emotional reaction even during major events.
297. Schizoid Personality Disorder – Restricted Interest Type
Meaning:
Extreme focus on solitary activities, hobbies, or routines, with minimal social involvement.
Example:
A person spends most of their time on solitary hobbies and feels indifferent to forming friendships.
298. Schizotypal Personality Disorder – Odd Belief Type
Meaning:
Unusual beliefs, magical thinking, or superstitions that influence behavior but do not reach psychotic intensity.
Example:
A woman believes she can “sense” the future and alters daily plans based on these impressions.
299. Schizotypal Personality Disorder – Social Anxiety Type
Meaning:
Intense social anxiety linked to paranoid fears, not low self-esteem. The person avoids interactions due to mistrust rather than shyness.
Example:
A man avoids social events because he feels others are secretly evaluating him for hidden purposes.
300. Borderline Personality Disorder – Emotional Instability Type
Meaning:
A subtype with rapid mood swings, intense emotional pain, and difficulty regulating emotions. The person may shift quickly from anger to sadness.
Example:
A young woman becomes extremely upset after minor conflicts, feels abandoned easily, and experiences sharp changes in mood throughout the day.
301. Borderline Personality Disorder – Impulsive Type
Meaning:
A subtype marked by impulsive actions such as reckless driving, binge eating, unsafe sex, or self-harm behaviors. Mood shifts are intense but shorter. The person often acts before thinking, especially when distressed.
Example:
A young adult, after a small argument, suddenly drives at dangerous speed, then later regrets the impulsive action but feels unable to control such behaviors in the moment.
302. Borderline Personality Disorder – Identity Disturbance Type
Meaning:
A presentation dominated by unstable self-image, shifting personal goals, and confusion about one’s values or identity. The person may feel empty or unsure who they are.
Example:
A woman frequently changes career plans, relationships, and personal interests, feeling disconnected from a stable sense of self.
303. Histrionic Personality Disorder – Attention-Seeking Type
Meaning:
A subtype with strong need for attention, dramatic behavior, and emotional expression that appears exaggerated or theatrical.
Example:
A man interrupts conversations with dramatic stories, dresses flamboyantly for ordinary events, and becomes upset when not the focus of attention.
304. Histrionic Personality Disorder – Emotional Intensity Type
Meaning:
Marked by rapidly shifting emotions, exaggerated expressions, and a strong desire for approval or validation.
Example:
A woman expresses intense joy one moment and sudden tears the next when she feels someone is ignoring her.
305. Narcissistic Personality Disorder – Vulnerable (Covert) Type
Meaning:
A subtype characterized by hypersensitivity to criticism, insecurity, and hidden feelings of inadequacy masked by defensiveness. The person may appear shy but craves admiration.
Example:
A man avoids social events because he fears judgment, but internally believes he deserves special recognition.
306. Narcissistic Personality Disorder – Grandiose (Overt) Type
Meaning:
More obvious signs of superiority, entitlement, arrogance, and disregard for others’ feelings.
Example:
A boss insists employees praise his achievements and becomes angry when anyone questions his ideas.
307. Avoidant Personality Disorder – Social Inhibition Type
Meaning:
Extreme shyness and fear of rejection, causing the person to avoid social interactions despite a strong desire for connection.
Example:
A young adult refuses social invitations due to fear of embarrassment, although they deeply want friendships.
308. Avoidant Personality Disorder – Feelings of Inadequacy Type
Meaning:
A subtype focused on chronic low self-esteem, sensitivity to criticism, and strong belief that one is inferior.
Example:
A man avoids applying for jobs because he believes he is not “good enough,” even with adequate skills.
309. Dependent Personality Disorder – Submissive Type
Meaning:
A pattern of allowing others to make decisions, seeking constant reassurance, and avoiding responsibilities due to fear of failure.
Example:
A woman relies on her partner to choose her clothes, meals, and daily plans, feeling unable to decide independently.
310. Dependent Personality Disorder – Clinging Type
Meaning:
A presentation dominated by fear of abandonment, intense sensitivity to separation, and desperate attempts to maintain relationships.
Example:
A man constantly messages his partner, fears she will leave, and becomes distressed when alone.
311. Obsessive–Compulsive Personality Disorder – Perfectionistic Type
Meaning:
A subtype where extreme perfectionism interferes with task completion. The person struggles to finish tasks unless they are “absolutely perfect.”
Example:
A student rewrites assignments multiple times, missing deadlines because they are never satisfied.
312. OCPD – Rigid/Controlling Type
Meaning:
A strong need for control, rules, order, and strict routines. The person becomes distressed when others do things differently.
Example:
A man insists his family follow his exact method for organizing the house and becomes upset over minor deviations.
313. Social Anxiety Disorder – Performance Type
Meaning:
Anxiety occurs only during public performance situations such as speeches, singing, or presentations. Social interactions outside these situations are normal.
Example:
A confident college student panics before giving presentations but has no fear of everyday conversations.
314. Social Anxiety Disorder – Generalized Severe Type
Meaning:
A pervasive fear of many social situations, such as meeting new people, eating in public, talking in groups, or being observed.
Example:
A young adult avoids restaurants because they fear being judged even while eating.
315. Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Somatic-Focused Type
Meaning:
Worry centers on physical symptoms such as tension, aches, dizziness, or stomach discomfort. Numerous body-related complaints accompany the anxiety.
Example:
A woman constantly worries about headaches, stomach issues, and muscle tension, assuming they signal serious disease.
316. Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Cognitive-Focused Type
Meaning:
A subtype where the mind is filled with “what if” thoughts, future worries, and imagined catastrophes, with fewer physical symptoms.
Example:
A man constantly imagines worst-case scenarios about finances, relationships, and work, even when nothing is wrong.
317. Panic Disorder – With Agoraphobia
Meaning:
A combination of unpredictable panic attacks and fear of situations where escape seems difficult. The person avoids travel, crowds, or open spaces.
Example:
A woman avoids buses and malls due to fear of having a panic attack in public.
318. Panic Disorder – Without Agoraphobia
Meaning:
Recurrent panic attacks without avoidance of specific places. The person fears the physical sensations rather than the environment.
Example:
A man experiences sudden panic attacks at home or work but does not restrict his activities.
319. Specific Phobia – Injury/Medical Type
Meaning:
Intense fear of medical procedures, injections, blood tests, or injuries. Often causes fainting or extreme avoidance.
Example:
A woman refuses necessary blood tests for years due to overwhelming fear of needles.
320. Specific Phobia – Loud Noise Type
Meaning:
A subtype where sudden loud sounds (balloons popping, firecrackers, alarms) cause extreme fear and distress.
Example:
A child covers their ears and cries when hearing fireworks or thunder.
321. Specific Phobia – Choking Type
Meaning:
A fear centered specifically on swallowing food, pills, or liquids due to imagined danger of choking. This fear can lead to severe restriction of eating.
Example:
After one minor choking episode, a teenager begins avoiding all solid foods and insists on eating only soft or liquid items out of fear.
322. Specific Phobia – Vomiting (Emetophobia)
Meaning:
An intense fear of vomiting, seeing someone vomit, or being near situations where vomiting might occur. Often leads to avoidance of restaurants, travel, or social gatherings.
Example:
A woman avoids eating outside her home and refuses long bus rides because she fears someone may vomit nearby.
323. Specific Phobia – Costume Character Type
Meaning:
Fear of people in costumes, masks, or mascots. Common in children but can persist into adulthood.
Example:
A child cries uncontrollably and hides whenever someone dressed as a cartoon character appears at school events.
324. Separation Anxiety Disorder – Adult Type
Meaning:
Excessive fear or distress about being away from loved ones, familiar environments, or partners. Symptoms include worry, panic, and refusal to separate.
Example:
A woman feels intense anxiety when her spouse travels for work and has trouble sleeping until he returns.
325. Major Depressive Disorder – Atypical Energy Pattern Type
Meaning:
A subtype where individuals experience mood reactivity (feeling better temporarily with positive events) along with increased appetite, hypersomnia, and leaden limbs.
Example:
A man sleeps 12 hours daily, eats excessively, feels extremely heavy physically, and momentarily brightens when praised.
326. Major Depressive Disorder – Psychomotor Retardation Type
Meaning:
Depression marked by slowed thinking, speech, and movement. Everything feels effortful.
Example:
A woman moves slowly, speaks softly, responds after long pauses, and struggles to complete routine tasks.
327. Major Depressive Disorder – Psychomotor Agitation Type
Meaning:
A subtype where depression is accompanied by restlessness—pacing, tapping fingers, or inability to sit still.
Example:
A young adult experiencing depression paces constantly and wrings their hands when feeling inner distress.
328. Persistent Depressive Disorder – With Pure Dysthymic Syndrome
Meaning:
Chronic low mood lasting for years without major depressive episodes. The person experiences mild but persistent sadness and low energy.
Example:
A woman describes herself as “always gloomy” for as long as she can remember, though not severely depressed.
329. Persistent Depressive Disorder – With Intermittent Major Depressive Episodes
Meaning:
Chronic low mood with periods of major depression layered on top.
Example:
A man usually feels mildly depressed but occasionally experiences months of intense depression.
330. Bipolar I Disorder – With Psychosis During Mania
Meaning:
Manic episodes accompanied by hallucinations or delusions, often related to grandiosity or paranoia.
Example:
A man in a manic state believes he has supernatural powers and hears voices encouraging risky behavior.
331. Bipolar I Disorder – With Psychosis During Depression
Meaning:
A subtype where psychotic symptoms occur only in depressive episodes, often involving guilt or hopelessness.
Example:
A woman in a depressive phase hears voices blaming her for disasters.
332. Bipolar II Disorder – With Anxious Distress
Meaning:
Hypomanic and depressive episodes accompanied by significant worry, tension, and fear of catastrophic outcomes.
Example:
A young adult swings between mild energetic phases and low mood, always with underlying anxiety.
333. Bipolar II Disorder – With Atypical Features
Meaning:
Depressive episodes include mood reactivity, hypersomnia, increased appetite, or sensitivity to rejection.
Example:
A person becomes depressed but eats more, sleeps excessively, and is easily hurt by social feedback.
334. Cyclothymic Disorder – Rapid Fluctuation Type
Meaning:
Frequent mood shifts multiple times within weeks, though never severe enough to meet criteria for bipolar episodes.
Example:
A man alternates between being unusually upbeat and mildly depressed several times a month.
335. Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder – Contamination Type
Meaning:
Obsessions about germs, dirt, or illness, leading to repetitive cleaning or washing.
Example:
A woman washes her hands 40 times a day to avoid contamination.
336. OCD – Checking Type
Meaning:
Obsessions about safety or responsibility (e.g., fear of leaving the stove on) leading to repeated checking behaviors.
Example:
A man checks the door lock dozens of times each night before he can sleep.
337. OCD – Symmetry/Ordering Type
Meaning:
A strong need for things to be “just right” or symmetrical. The person arranges or aligns objects repeatedly.
Example:
A student cannot focus on work until all items on the desk are perfectly straight.
338. OCD – Intrusive Thoughts Type
Meaning:
Disturbing thoughts (often violent, sexual, or immoral) that feel unacceptable or shocking. The person is distressed by these thoughts and tries to suppress them.
Example:
A mother is terrified by sudden unwanted thoughts of harming her child, though she never intends to act on them.
339. OCD – Hoarding Dimension Without Hoarding Disorder
Meaning:
Mild hoarding-like tendencies driven by obsessive fear of losing items, but not enough to meet full Hoarding Disorder criteria.
Example:
A person keeps long receipts, empty boxes, and outdated documents because “they might be needed someday.”
340. Hoarding Disorder – With Excessive Acquisition
Meaning:
A subtype where the person compulsively acquires items (free or purchased) in addition to difficulty discarding.
Example:
A woman collects large quantities of newspapers and unused clothing, filling her home until movement becomes difficult.
341. Hoarding Disorder – With Poor Insight
Meaning:
The person does not recognize that hoarding is a problem. They strongly believe their items are valuable or necessary, despite overwhelming clutter.
Example:
A man living in a home filled with piles of newspapers insists nothing should be thrown away because “everything will be useful someday.”
342. Hoarding Disorder – With Absent Insight/Delusional Beliefs
Meaning:
The person fully denies having a problem and may develop delusional beliefs about the need to keep objects, insisting their hoarding is completely rational.
Example:
A woman refuses to discard broken appliances because she believes discarding them would cause cosmic consequences.
343. Body Dysmorphic Disorder – Muscle Dysmorphia Type
Meaning:
A subtype where the person believes they are too small, weak, or not muscular enough, even if they are well-built. This can lead to excessive exercise, restrictive diets, or steroid use.
Example:
A muscular young man insists he looks “tiny,” spends hours daily at the gym, and feels ashamed of his body.
344. Body Dysmorphic Disorder – Skin-Focused Type
Meaning:
A preoccupation with imagined skin imperfections—acne, scars, color, or texture—leading to mirror checking or skin picking.
Example:
A woman scrutinizes her skin for hours daily and believes her pores are “huge,” though others see nothing unusual.
345. Body Dysmorphic Disorder – Hair-Focused Type
Meaning:
Obsession with hair appearance, hairline, thinning, or texture, leading to excessive grooming or avoidance of social situations.
Example:
A man avoids going outside on windy days because he believes others will notice his “terrible hairline,” which appears normal.
346. Illness Anxiety Disorder – Health-Seeking Behavior Type
Meaning:
A subtype involving frequent doctor visits, medical tests, and constant reassurance seeking due to fear of serious illness.
Example:
A woman visits multiple clinics every month fearing she has cancer despite normal scans.
347. Illness Anxiety Disorder – Body Monitoring Type
Meaning:
The person repeatedly checks their body for signs of disease—taking pulse, examining skin, or analyzing sensations.
Example:
A man checks his heart rate dozens of times a day and panics whenever he feels a minor body sensation.
348. Somatic Symptom Disorder – With Catastrophic Thinking
Meaning:
Physical symptoms are accompanied by extreme, catastrophic interpretations—believing minor discomfort signals major illness.
Example:
A woman with mild headache becomes convinced it means a brain tumor.
349. Somatic Symptom Disorder – With Doctor Shopping
Meaning:
The individual frequently switches doctors seeking confirmation of a feared illness. No reassurance satisfies them.
Example:
A man consults different specialists monthly, insisting each doctor “missed something serious.”
350. Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder (Prolonged Grief Disorder) – Yearning Type
Meaning:
An extended period of intense longing or yearning for a deceased loved one. The grief interferes with daily functioning and lasts longer than expected cultural norms.
Example:
A woman yearns for her late husband for years, feeling unable to move forward or re-engage with life.
351. Prolonged Grief Disorder – Avoidance Type
Meaning:
Persistent grief coupled with avoidance of reminders—places, conversations, or objects connected to the deceased.
Example:
A man avoids visiting parts of his home where his late mother used to sit, and avoids discussing her entirely.
352. Postpartum Depression (Peripartum Onset)
Meaning:
A major depressive episode beginning during pregnancy or within weeks after childbirth, involving sadness, fatigue, guilt, hopelessness, and difficulty bonding with the baby.
Example:
A new mother feels overwhelmed, cries frequently, and believes she is a “bad parent,” despite loving her child.
353. Postpartum Anxiety (Peripartum Onset)
Meaning:
Severe anxiety, worry, or panic symptoms occurring during pregnancy or after childbirth, often focused on the baby’s health or safety.
Example:
A mother constantly checks if her baby is breathing and cannot sleep due to intense worry.
354. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS – Subclinical Form)
Meaning:
Milder physical and emotional symptoms before menstruation that do not meet PMDD criteria but still cause discomfort.
Example:
A woman experiences bloating, irritability, and mild sadness before her period each month.
355. Alcohol Use Disorder – Mild
Meaning:
A pattern of drinking that begins to interfere with functioning—cravings, difficulty cutting down—yet consequences are not severe.
Example:
A young adult drinks more than intended on weekends and feels guilty afterward.
356. Alcohol Use Disorder – Moderate
Meaning:
More pronounced symptoms—continued drinking despite problems at work or home, increasing tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms.
Example:
A man drinks daily, becomes irritable when he doesn’t, and argues frequently with family members.
357. Alcohol Use Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
Dependence with inability to stop, health problems, social impairment, and strong cravings. Drinking dominates daily life.
Example:
A woman drinks heavily every morning, loses her job because of alcohol, and prioritizes drinking over family.
358. Opioid Use Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
Dependence on opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers, marked by cravings, withdrawal, and harmful use despite consequences.
Example:
A man continues using opioids even after losing his job and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop.
359. Stimulant Use Disorder – Methamphetamine Type
Meaning:
Compulsive use of methamphetamine causing severe psychological, physical, and social impairments. Symptoms include paranoia, agitation, insomnia, and dental problems.
Example:
A woman using meth becomes highly paranoid, loses weight rapidly, and isolates herself from family.
360. Stimulant Use Disorder – Cocaine Type
Meaning:
A pattern of cocaine use leading to strong cravings, tolerance, risky behavior, and cardiovascular or mental health problems.
Example:
A man uses cocaine to “function” at work, then becomes irritable, anxious, and unable to sleep after the high wears off.
361. Cannabis Use Disorder – Mild
Meaning:
A pattern of cannabis use that causes some difficulties in functioning. Symptoms include craving, using more than intended, and minor social or academic impacts.
Example:
A college student smokes cannabis most weekends and occasionally misses study sessions due to feeling unmotivated.
362. Cannabis Use Disorder – Moderate
Meaning:
More significant use pattern marked by tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and impairment in daily functioning such as missing classes or conflicts with family.
Example:
A young adult uses cannabis daily, becomes irritable when trying to cut down, and struggles to focus on studies.
363. Cannabis Use Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
Compulsive cannabis use leading to social, emotional, and occupational impairment. The person may use most of the day and find it hard to function without it.
Example:
A man spends nearly all day smoking cannabis, withdraws from friends, and experiences anxiety when unable to access it.
364. Hallucinogen Use Disorder – Mild
Meaning:
Early signs of problematic hallucinogen use, including occasional risky behaviors and difficulty moderating use.
Example:
A college student experiments with LSD several times and begins using it in unsafe settings.
365. Hallucinogen Use Disorder – Severe (PCP or LSD Type)
Meaning:
A severe pattern involving frequent use of hallucinogens, leading to dangerous behavior, paranoia, cognitive impairment, or psychosis.
Example:
A man uses PCP regularly, becomes violent during intoxication, and experiences long-lasting paranoia.
366. Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder – Moderate
Meaning:
Dependence on medications such as benzodiazepines, often starting with prescribed use but escalating to misuse.
Example:
A woman increases her sleeping pill dosage without medical guidance and feels panicked when she runs out.
367. Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
Heavy and compulsive use of sedative medications causing memory issues, accidents, withdrawal, or health decline.
Example:
A man frequently mixes sedatives with alcohol, experiences blackouts, and struggles to function without medication.
368. Tobacco Use Disorder – Moderate
Meaning:
Persistent smoking despite attempting to stop, with withdrawal symptoms like irritability, cravings, and difficulty concentrating.
Example:
A woman tries to quit multiple times but becomes extremely anxious and restless within hours of stopping.
369. Tobacco Use Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
Heavy dependence where smoking dominates daily routines. Tolerance increases, and withdrawal is intense.
Example:
A man smokes every hour, wakes up at night to smoke, and becomes irritable whenever he tries to cut down.
370. Gambling Disorder – Mild
Meaning:
Occasional gambling that causes minor consequences but not major life disruption. The person feels tempted to gamble even when intending to stop.
Example:
A man plays online games every weekend and sometimes overspends, feeling guilty afterward.
371. Gambling Disorder – Moderate
Meaning:
More frequent gambling, difficulty reducing behavior, borrowing money, and failure to manage responsibilities.
Example:
A woman bets regularly, hides financial losses from her partner, and misses work deadlines due to gambling.
372. Gambling Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
Compulsive gambling leading to financial ruin, relationship breakdown, and persistent cravings. The person continues despite extreme harm.
Example:
A man loses his savings, borrows heavily, lies to family, and continues gambling to “win back” losses.
373. Internet Gaming Disorder – Impaired Control Type
Meaning:
A pattern where the person cannot control time spent gaming, leading to sleep problems, academic decline, and neglect of other responsibilities.
Example:
A teenager spends 12 hours a day gaming, skips school, and becomes irritable when prevented from playing.
374. Internet Gaming Disorder – Social Withdrawal Type
Meaning:
Gaming becomes a substitute for real-life social interaction, leading to isolation and deterioration of relationships.
Example:
A young adult avoids family meals, withdraws from friends, and interacts only with online players.
375. Internet Gaming Disorder – Reward Sensitivity Type
Meaning:
The individual becomes addicted to in-game rewards, achievements, and competition, leading to compulsive play.
Example:
A student plays late into the night to “level up,” sacrificing sleep and academic performance.
376. Exercise Addiction (Behavioral Addiction – Emerging Category)
Meaning:
Compulsive exercise that continues despite injury, exhaustion, or medical advice. Not officially in DSM but clinically recognized.
Example:
A woman exercises for hours daily, ignores injuries, and becomes anxious or distressed when unable to work out.
377. Food Addiction (Emerging Research Diagnosis)
Meaning:
Compulsive overeating of highly palatable foods (sugar, fat, salt) with cravings, loss of control, and withdrawal-like symptoms.
Example:
A man binges on sweets when stressed, hides food, and feels unable to stop despite health problems.
378. Shopping Addiction (Compulsive Buying Disorder)
Meaning:
A behavioral condition involving irresistible urges to shop, leading to debt, guilt, and relationship problems.
Example:
A woman shops online late at night, buys unneeded items, and hides purchases from her family.
379. Pornography Use Disorder (Proposed; Not Official DSM Diagnosis)
Meaning:
Compulsive consumption of pornography despite negative consequences—relationship strain, reduced productivity, or emotional distress.
Example:
A man spends hours daily watching pornography, neglects work responsibilities, and feels unable to control usage.
380. Work Addiction (Workaholism – Not Official DSM Diagnosis)
Meaning:
An uncontrollable urge to work excessively, sacrificing health, sleep, social life, and emotional well-being.
Example:
A woman works 14 hours a day, even on weekends, feels guilty when resting, and experiences burnout.
381. Hoarding Disorder – Animal Hoarding Type
Meaning:
A subtype where the person accumulates large numbers of animals without the capacity to care for them properly. Living spaces become unhygienic and overwhelming. The individual denies the problem and insists they are “rescuing” animals.
Example:
A woman keeps 40 cats in her small apartment, believing she is protecting them, even though the environment is unsafe and unclean.
382. Adjustment Disorder – With Depressed Mood
Meaning:
Emotional symptoms such as sadness, tearfulness, and hopelessness triggered by a specific stressful event like breakup, job loss, or relocation.
Example:
After moving to a new city, a young adult feels persistently sad and struggles to enjoy daily activities but does not meet major depression criteria.
383. Adjustment Disorder – With Anxiety
Meaning:
Excessive worry, tension, fear, or nervousness that begins in response to a life stressor. Symptoms are less severe than generalized anxiety disorder.
Example:
A teenager becomes extremely worried and restless after parents’ separation but functions normally otherwise.
384. Adjustment Disorder – With Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood
Meaning:
A combination of sadness, low energy, worry, and irritability appearing after a major stressor, but not severe enough to be another disorder.
Example:
A woman loses her job and experiences both anxiety and low mood for several months.
385. Adjustment Disorder – With Disturbance of Conduct
Meaning:
Behavioral problems such as rule-breaking, aggression, or impulsivity triggered by a life stressor.
Example:
After parents’ divorce, a teenager begins skipping school, arguing, and breaking rules.
386. Adjustment Disorder – With Mixed Disturbance of Emotions and Conduct
Meaning:
Emotional symptoms (sadness, worry) combined with behavioral problems (aggression, defiance) following a stressful event.
Example:
After relocation, a child becomes withdrawn and starts fighting with peers.
387. Acute Stress Reaction (Short-Term Trauma Response)
Meaning:
Immediate emotional, behavioral, and physical responses to trauma, such as dissociation, panic, confusion, or agitation. Symptoms last hours to a few days.
Example:
A man becomes dazed, confused, and shaky right after witnessing a serious accident.
388. Acute Stress Disorder – Severe Dissociation Type
Meaning:
A subtype where dissociation (feeling detached from self or surroundings) dominates the reaction to trauma.
Example:
A woman feels unreal, confused, and emotionally numb for days after a robbery.
389. PTSD – With Delayed Expression
Meaning:
Symptoms appear at least six months after the traumatic event, often after a trigger or new stressor.
Example:
A man develops nightmares and avoidance behavior months after surviving an earthquake.
390. PTSD – With Dissociative Symptoms
Meaning:
A subtype where the person experiences depersonalization (feeling outside their body) or derealization (world feels unreal) along with trauma symptoms.
Example:
A woman who survived assault sometimes feels detached from reality whenever trauma memories arise.
391. PTSD – Complex (C-PTSD) Presentation
Meaning:
Not officially DSM, but widely recognized. Caused by prolonged trauma (child abuse, captivity). Involves emotional instability, relationship difficulties, negative self-concept, and PTSD symptoms.
Example:
A survivor of long-term childhood abuse struggles with emotional reactions, trust, self-esteem, and intrusive trauma memories.
392. Dissociative Fugue (Specifier of Dissociative Amnesia)
Meaning:
Sudden travel away from home with inability to recall one’s identity or past. The person may assume a new identity temporarily.
Example:
A man disappears for several days, is found in another city, and cannot remember who he is.
393. Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder – Stress-Induced Type
Meaning:
Episodes triggered mainly by intense stress, anxiety, or emotional overload.
Example:
After severe work stress, a woman feels like she is watching herself from outside her body.
394. Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder – Panic-Induced Type
Meaning:
Derealization or depersonalization episodes often occur during or after panic attacks.
Example:
During panic, a student feels suddenly disconnected from reality and fears “going crazy.”
395. Factitious Disorder – Recurrent Hospital-Seeking Type
Meaning:
A pattern where individuals repeatedly seek hospitalization by exaggerating or inducing symptoms.
Example:
A man frequently appears in emergency departments reporting dramatic but unverifiable symptoms.
396. Factitious Disorder – High Medical Knowledge Type
Meaning:
The person uses medical terminology or manipulates test results, making diagnosis harder.
Example:
A former nursing student fabricates symptoms that mimic rare disorders, misleading doctors.
397. Neurocognitive Disorder – Due to HIV Infection
Meaning:
Cognitive decline caused by HIV’s effects on the central nervous system, leading to memory loss, slowed thinking, mood changes, and motor symptoms.
Example:
A person with HIV experiences difficulty concentrating, forgets appointments, and becomes irritable due to neurological impact.
398. Neurocognitive Disorder – Due to Prion Disease (e.g., Creutzfeldt–Jakob)
Meaning:
A rapidly progressive and fatal brain condition causing memory loss, movement problems, hallucinations, and severe cognitive decline.
Example:
A middle-aged adult suddenly develops confusion, jerky movements, and rapid memory deterioration.
399. Neurocognitive Disorder – Due to Parkinson’s Disease
Meaning:
Cognitive impairment associated with Parkinson’s, including slowed thinking, executive dysfunction, apathy, and memory difficulties.
Example:
A man with Parkinson’s struggles to plan tasks, solve problems, and remember recent events.
400. Neurocognitive Disorder – Due to Huntington’s Disease (Advanced Stage)
Meaning:
In the later stages, Huntington’s causes profound cognitive decline, disinhibition, emotional instability, and motor degeneration.
Example:
A woman with advanced Huntington’s experiences severe memory loss, uncontrolled movements, and difficulty recognizing family members.
401. Neurocognitive Disorder – Due to Multiple Etiologies
Meaning:
Cognitive decline caused by a combination of different medical conditions rather than one single disease. Examples include combined effects of stroke, head injury, substance use, or chronic illness.
Example:
An older man with diabetes, past alcohol misuse, and a mild stroke develops memory problems and slowed thinking due to multiple interacting causes.
402. Neurocognitive Disorder – Due to Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Meaning:
A reversible form of cognitive decline caused by cerebrospinal fluid buildup. Symptoms include walking difficulties, urinary incontinence, and memory impairment.
Example:
A woman develops a shuffling walk, forgetfulness, and bladder issues, all improved after surgical fluid drainage.
403. Neurocognitive Disorder – Frontotemporal Major Type
Meaning:
A severe form dominated by changes in personality, impulse control, and social behavior. Often occurs younger than Alzheimer’s.
Example:
A middle-aged man becomes socially inappropriate, insensitive to others, and impulsive, despite earlier normal behavior.
404. Neurocognitive Disorder – Alzheimer’s Major Type
Meaning:
A progressive disorder causing memory loss, disorientation, difficulty learning new information, language decline, and impaired judgment.
Example:
A woman forgets family names, gets lost even in familiar places, and struggles with basic daily tasks.
405. Neurocognitive Disorder – Alzheimer’s Mild Type
Meaning:
Early signs of cognitive decline where memory issues are noticeable but daily functioning remains mostly intact.
Example:
A man repeatedly forgets recent conversations and misplaces items but can still live independently.
406. Neurocognitive Disorder – Lewy Body Mild Type
Meaning:
Early features of Lewy Body disease such as fluctuating attention, daytime sleepiness, mild hallucinations, and slowed thinking.
Example:
A woman occasionally sees faint shapes in her bedroom and experiences fluctuating alertness throughout the day.
407. Neurocognitive Disorder – Vascular Mild Type
Meaning:
Cognitive impairment caused by reduced blood flow from small strokes, hypertension, or vascular disease. Problems involve planning, attention, and slowed thinking.
Example:
A retired man has trouble organizing bills and tasks after experiencing several small strokes.
408. Tourette’s Disorder – Severe Tic Type
Meaning:
Motor and vocal tics that are intense, frequent, and difficult to suppress. They may interfere with speech, movement, or social interactions.
Example:
A teenager repeatedly shouts phrases, blinks rapidly, and jerks his head, which disrupts classroom activities.
409. Persistent (Chronic) Motor Tic Disorder
Meaning:
Only motor tics (no vocal tics), such as blinking, grimacing, shoulder jerks, that persist for more than one year.
Example:
A child repeatedly shrugs his shoulders and blinks his eyes uncontrollably.
410. Persistent (Chronic) Vocal Tic Disorder
Meaning:
Only vocal tics occur for over a year, such as throat clearing, humming, or repeating sounds.
Example:
A girl frequently makes throat-clearing noises during class, especially when anxious.
411. Provisional Tic Disorder
Meaning:
Motor or vocal tics present for less than one year. Often emerges in childhood and may resolve naturally.
Example:
A child begins blinking repeatedly for several months but the symptoms gradually fade.
412. Reactive Attachment Disorder – Disorganized Type
Meaning:
A subtype marked by contradictory or confused attachment behaviors. The child may simultaneously seek comfort yet avoid or resist caregivers. Often linked to severe neglect or trauma.
Example:
A child runs toward the caregiver for comfort but suddenly pushes them away and cries.
413. Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder – Mild
Meaning:
Social overly familiar behavior with unfamiliar adults but without severe safety risk.
Example:
A young child hugs strangers in public places and talks to them as if they are family.
414. Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
More extreme boundary violations, including wandering off with strangers or trusting unsafe adults, due to early neglect.
Example:
A child willingly leaves the playground with an unfamiliar adult without hesitation.
415. Conduct Disorder – With Callous-Unemotional Traits
Meaning:
A dangerous subtype marked by lack of empathy, shallow emotion, guiltlessness, and aggressive or harmful behavior.
Example:
A teenager bullies peers, harms animals, and shows no remorse when confronted.
416. Oppositional Defiant Disorder – Chronic Course
Meaning:
Long-term pattern of anger, defiance, and argumentative behavior lasting years and leading to social or academic difficulties.
Example:
A boy consistently argues with teachers and refuses to follow rules from early childhood into adolescence.
417. Intermittent Explosive Disorder – Childhood-Onset
Meaning:
Recurrent outbursts of anger beginning before age 10. Episodes are impulsive, disproportionate, and cause impairment.
Example:
A child suddenly throws objects or screams intensely over minor frustrations.
418. Intermittent Explosive Disorder – Adult-Onset
Meaning:
Aggressive outbursts begin after age 18, often triggered by stress, relationship conflict, or frustration problems.
Example:
A man smashes household items during arguments but later regrets losing control.
419. Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (Female)
Meaning:
Low sexual desire or absent arousal responses causing distress. May involve lack of pleasure, decreased interest, or difficulty becoming physically aroused.
Example:
A woman feels little interest in sexual activity for months and becomes distressed about changes in her desire.
420. Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
Meaning:
Persistently low or absent sexual thoughts or desire in men that causes distress or relationship difficulties.
Example:
A man has lost interest in sexual activity and feels concerned because it is affecting intimacy with his partner.
421. Erectile Disorder (Male Erectile Dysfunction)
Meaning:
A persistent difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection suitable for intercourse, despite desire and opportunity. Symptoms must cause distress and last several months.
Example:
A man feels embarrassed because he repeatedly cannot maintain an erection during intimate moments, despite wanting to engage in sexual activity.
422. Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder
Meaning:
A condition in which women experience pain, fear, or muscle tightening during intercourse, pelvic examinations, or insertion of tampons. Often combines physical discomfort with anxiety.
Example:
A woman experiences involuntary tightening and sharp pain whenever penetration is attempted, making intercourse nearly impossible.
423. Female Orgasmic Disorder
Meaning:
Difficulty achieving orgasm, reduced intensity of orgasm, or significant delay in reaching climax, despite adequate stimulation and desire.
Example:
A woman feels frustrated because she rarely reaches orgasm even though she feels desire and closeness with her partner.
424. Delayed Ejaculation (Male)
Meaning:
Persistent difficulty or inability to reach ejaculation despite adequate sexual arousal and stimulation. Causes emotional or relational distress.
Example:
A man can maintain sexual activity but struggles to reach ejaculation, leading to feelings of frustration and tension with his partner.
425. Premature (Early) Ejaculation
Meaning:
Ejaculation occurs within one minute of penetration or sooner than the person desires, consistently over several months.
Example:
A man ejaculates very quickly during intercourse, leaving him distressed and worried about his performance.
426. Fetishistic Disorder
Meaning:
Sexual arousal focused on non-living objects (like shoes, leather, or fabrics) or specific body parts not typically considered sexual. It becomes a disorder only when it causes distress or impairment.
Example:
A man becomes sexually aroused only when touching specific objects and feels ashamed or distressed by this pattern.
427. Transvestic Disorder
Meaning:
Sexual arousal from cross-dressing that causes distress, guilt, or functional impairment. Not the same as gender identity issues.
Example:
A man secretly wears women’s clothing for sexual excitement and feels overwhelmed with guilt afterward.
428. Sexual Sadism Disorder – Non-Consensual Concern
Meaning:
A subtype where the person experiences arousal from inflicting pain or humiliation and feels troubled by the intensity of their urges, especially if they involve non-consenting individuals.
Example:
A man seeks therapy because he is distressed by violent fantasies involving partners.
429. Sexual Masochism Disorder – With Asphyxiophilia
Meaning:
Sexual arousal from being deprived of oxygen. This subtype can be dangerous due to risk of injury or death.
Example:
A man engages in breath restriction activities during sexual situations and becomes distressed by loss of control.
430. Pedophilic Disorder – Exclusive Type
Meaning:
Sexual attraction only to prepubescent children (under age 13), with no sexual interest in adults. Diagnosis is based on attraction, distress, or actions.
Example:
A man finds himself attracted only to young children and feels distressed and confused by his urges.
431. Pedophilic Disorder – Non-Exclusive Type
Meaning:
Sexual attraction to both adults and children. The disorder is defined by attraction characteristics and distress or risk.
Example:
A man is sexually attracted to adults but also experiences troubling attraction toward children.
432. Sexual Aversion Disorder (Historical; No Longer in DSM)
Meaning:
Intense avoidance of sexual contact due to fear, disgust, or anxiety. Although removed from DSM-5, still used clinically in some contexts.
Example:
A woman becomes anxious and panicked when her partner initiates sexual intimacy.
433. Paraphilic Disorder – Other Specified (Consensual Role-Playing Distress)
Meaning:
A condition where consensual role-playing fantasies create internal distress for the individual, even though no harm is involved.
Example:
A person feels guilty about consensual sexual fantasies that seem unacceptable to them, causing emotional conflict.
434. Other Specified Anxiety Disorder – Limited-Symptom Panic Attacks
Meaning:
Panic attacks with fewer symptoms than typical, but still intense and distressing.
Example:
A woman experiences sudden breathlessness and dizziness during stress, but without all typical panic symptoms.
435. Other Specified Anxiety Disorder – Generalized Anxiety Symptoms Under 6 Months
Meaning:
Worry and tension resembling generalized anxiety disorder but lasting less than six months.
Example:
A man is excessively worried for several months after changing jobs but does not meet the full duration criteria for GAD.
436. Other Specified Depressive Disorder – Recurrent Brief Depression
Meaning:
Short depressive episodes lasting 2–13 days at least once a month, but not meeting criteria for major depression.
Example:
A woman experiences short, intense depressive episodes every month, each lasting a few days.
437. Other Specified Depressive Disorder – Depressive Episode with Insufficient Symptoms
Meaning:
Some but not enough symptoms of depression to meet full criteria, yet the person is significantly impaired.
Example:
A student feels persistently fatigued and hopeless but does not experience the full symptom cluster of major depression.
438. Other Specified Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder – Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Meaning:
Repetitive behaviors like nail biting, lip biting, or cheek chewing that cause distress or harm.
Example:
A girl chews the inside of her cheeks whenever anxious, causing sores that do not heal.
439. Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder – Cultural Grief Response
Meaning:
A grief pattern influenced by cultural rituals or expectations, causing distress but not fitting typical PTSD or bereavement criteria.
Example:
In response to a family death, a person becomes withdrawn and fearful, expressing symptoms specific to their cultural practices.
440. Unspecified Anxiety Disorder
Meaning:
Symptoms of anxiety are present but lack enough detail or duration for a specific diagnosis. Used when information is limited or symptoms are mixed.
Example:
A person in the emergency room feels intense worry and restlessness but cannot provide enough history for specific classification.
441. Unspecified Depressive Disorder
Meaning:
Depressive symptoms are present but do not fit the full criteria of any specific depressive disorder. Often used in emergency settings or early evaluations.
Example:
A patient feels sad, tired, and unmotivated but has not experienced symptoms long enough for major depression criteria.
442. Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorder
Meaning:
Mood symptoms suggest a bipolar spectrum condition, but there is not enough information or diagnostic clarity for bipolar I or II.
Example:
A man has occasional bursts of elevated mood and periods of depression, but details about duration are unclear.
443. Unspecified Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder
Meaning:
Psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions exist, but full details to classify schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or brief psychosis are not available.
Example:
A person arrives at the ER reporting voices but cannot provide detailed history for a specific classification.
444. Unspecified Anxiety Disorder – Acute Presentation
Meaning:
Severe anxiety symptoms appear suddenly, but the clinician lacks enough time or details for precise diagnosis.
Example:
A woman in crisis shows panic, trembling, and fear, but key information is missing for GAD or panic disorder.
445. Unspecified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder
Meaning:
Symptoms follow trauma or severe stress but do not match PTSD, acute stress disorder, or adjustment disorder.
Example:
A man becomes jumpy and avoidant after witnessing violence, but duration and symptoms do not match PTSD criteria.
446. Unspecified Obsessive–Compulsive and Related Disorder
Meaning:
Obsessions, compulsions, or repetitive behaviors are present but insufficient to specify OCD or related conditions.
Example:
A patient repeatedly checks household objects but does not meet full OCD criteria.
447. Unspecified Dissociative Disorder
Meaning:
Dissociation occurs but does not fit dissociative identity disorder, amnesia, or depersonalization/derealization disorder.
Example:
A person feels disconnected from their surroundings during stress, but symptoms are too vague to categorize.
448. Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder
Meaning:
Disturbed eating patterns cause clinical impairment but do not meet criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder.
Example:
A young adult alternates between restrictive eating and overeating but lacks clear diagnostic pattern.
449. Unspecified Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorder
Meaning:
Symptoms of aggression, impulsivity, or rule-breaking appear, but insufficient detail or duration exists for a formal diagnosis.
Example:
A child frequently gets into fights, but records are incomplete to determine ODD or conduct disorder.
450. Unspecified Personality Disorder
Meaning:
Traits of personality pathology cause significant impairment but do not fit neatly into any specific personality disorder.
Example:
A person shows unstable relationships, distrust, and impulsivity but lacks enough symptoms in any single category.
451. Unspecified Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder
Meaning:
Physical symptoms cause distress, but diagnosis cannot yet be specified due to lack of information.
Example:
A woman reports multiple aches and fears illness, but assessment is incomplete.
452. Unspecified Sexual Dysfunction
Meaning:
Sexual problems exist but do not align with specific sexual dysfunction categories—or key details are missing.
Example:
A man reports sexual difficulties but cannot identify if it's arousal, desire, or performance related.
453. Unspecified Paraphilic Disorder
Meaning:
Atypical sexual interests cause distress or functional impairment, but symptoms do not match any known paraphilic disorder.
Example:
A man expresses distressing sexual fantasies, but they do not fit existing categories.
454. Insomnia — Other Specified
Meaning:
Insomnia patterns that don’t match standard insomnia disorder but still cause distress. May include early morning awakening or fragmented sleep.
Example:
A student wakes multiple times per night before exams but does not meet full duration criteria.
455. Hypersomnolence — Other Specified
Meaning:
Excessive daytime sleepiness that does not meet full criteria for hypersomnolence disorder.
Example:
A young adult takes long naps frequently but sleeps well at night, with unclear cause.
456. Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorder — Other Specified
Meaning:
Irregular sleep patterns caused by biological rhythm disruptions that do not match specific circadian disorders.
Example:
A man alternates between late nights and early mornings unpredictably, leading to fatigue.
457. Parasomnia — Other Specified
Meaning:
Sleep-related unusual behaviors (nightmares, sleepwalking, etc.) that do not fit clear diagnostic categories.
Example:
A woman talks loudly in sleep and occasionally sits up suddenly, but symptoms do not match defined parasomnias.
458. Stimulant Use Disorder — Mild
Meaning:
Initial problems with stimulant use (amphetamines, cocaine) including cravings and risk behaviors.
Example:
A college student uses stimulants occasionally and finds it harder to stop than expected.
459. Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)
Meaning:
Persistent perception disturbances after hallucinogen use, such as seeing halos, trails, or visual distortions long after the drug’s effects.
Example:
A man who used LSD months earlier still sees visual trails when objects move, causing anxiety.
460. Caffeine-Induced Anxiety Disorder
Meaning:
High caffeine intake causes significant anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, or panic-like symptoms.
Example:
A woman who drinks multiple cups of strong coffee experiences tremors, heart racing, and intense worry.
461. Stereotypic Movement Disorder – With Self-Injurious Behavior
Meaning:
A severe subtype where repetitive movements involve harming oneself, such as head-banging, biting, or striking the body. Often linked to developmental delays or sensory dysregulation.
Example:
A child repeatedly hits their head against the wall when overstimulated, causing bruises despite attempts to intervene.
462. Tic Disorder – Other Specified
Meaning:
Motor or vocal tics that cause distress or impairment but do not meet full duration or combination criteria for Tourette’s or persistent tic disorders.
Example:
A child has mild throat-clearing tics lasting a few months, causing embarrassment but not meeting full diagnostic criteria.
463. Unspecified Tic Disorder
Meaning:
Tic symptoms are present, but information is insufficient to categorize them precisely, often in emergency or early clinical settings.
Example:
A child presents with sudden tics during a stressful period, but full history is unavailable.
464. Unspecified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder
Meaning:
Emotional or behavioral symptoms clearly connected to a trauma or stressor, but criteria for PTSD, acute stress disorder, or adjustment disorder are not fully met.
Example:
A man shows irritability and avoidance after an accident, but symptoms are not extensive enough for a specific diagnosis.
465. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Meaning:
A childhood disorder characterized by severe irritability, frequent temper outbursts, and persistently angry mood between episodes. Symptoms begin before age 10.
Example:
A child has daily explosive tantrums that last long and occur in multiple settings, with irritability even when calm.
466. Major Depressive Episode – With Anxious Distress
Meaning:
A depressive episode accompanied by worry, restlessness, fear of losing control, and difficulty concentrating due to anxiety.
Example:
A woman feels deeply sad and fatigued while also experiencing constant tension and fear something will go wrong.
467. Major Depressive Episode – With Mixed Features
Meaning:
Depression accompanied by some manic symptoms (e.g., racing thoughts, increased energy) that do not form a full manic episode.
Example:
A man feels depressed but has bursts of restless energy and rapid speech during episodes.
468. Major Depressive Episode – With Melancholic Features
Meaning:
A severe form of depression where the person experiences profound sadness, inability to feel pleasure, early-morning awakening, and physical slowing.
Example:
A woman wakes up hours before dawn feeling empty, cannot enjoy once-loved activities, and has no appetite.
469. Manic Episode – With Psychotic Features
Meaning:
A manic state includes hallucinations or delusions, often grandiose or paranoid.
Example:
A man believes he is receiving secret messages from world leaders during a manic phase.
470. Hypomanic Episode – With Increased Productivity
Meaning:
A milder elevation of mood with increased energy, rapid thinking, and improved productivity, though still noticeable and potentially risky.
Example:
A woman suddenly works nonstop on creative projects for days with little sleep, feeling unusually excited.
471. Persistent Hypomania (Cyclothymic Specifier)
Meaning:
Chronic low-level hypomanic symptoms lasting years, without full manic episodes.
Example:
A person is consistently energetic, talkative, and impulsive for long periods but never reaches full mania.
472. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – Winter Pattern
Meaning:
Depressive episodes occurring during winter months due to reduced sunlight, reversing in spring/summer.
Example:
A young woman becomes tired, sad, and withdrawn every winter but improves when daylight increases.
473. Seasonal Affective Disorder – Summer Pattern
Meaning:
Less common form where depressive symptoms occur in summer, often with agitation, insomnia, and poor appetite.
Example:
A man feels restless, irritable, and unable to sleep during hot months but stabilizes in cooler seasons.
474. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder – Severe Type
Meaning:
Intense premenstrual symptoms such as mood swings, anger, anxiety, and physical discomfort that severely disrupt functioning.
Example:
A woman becomes emotionally overwhelmed, fatigued, and unable to work effectively before her period each month.
475. Trauma-Related Dissociative Trance (Culture-Bound)
Meaning:
A culturally influenced dissociative state involving trance-like behavior after trauma or stress, often involving changes in consciousness or identity.
Example:
A person enters a trance during a ritual or stress event, appearing unresponsive and unaware of surroundings.
476. Ataque de Nervios (Latin American Cultural Syndrome)
Meaning:
An intense episode of emotional distress involving shouting, crying, trembling, or aggression, usually triggered by family conflict or loss. Not a DSM disorder but culturally recognized.
Example:
A woman collapses crying and shaking during a heated family argument, then recovers quickly afterward.
477. Koro (Southeast Asian Cultural Syndrome)
Meaning:
Sudden intense fear that sexual organs are retracting into the body and may cause death. Culture-linked and anxiety-based.
Example:
A man fears his genital organs are shrinking into his body and panics despite medical reassurance.
478. Dhat Syndrome (South Asian Cultural Syndrome)
Meaning:
Anxious preoccupation about semen loss believed to cause weakness, fatigue, and poor health. Strong cultural beliefs impact symptoms.
Example:
A young man reports fatigue and anxiety, attributing his symptoms to “loss of semen,” despite medical normalcy.
479. Amok (Southeast Asian Cultural Syndrome)
Meaning:
A sudden outburst of violent or aggressive behavior followed by exhaustion or amnesia. Rare outside cultural contexts.
Example:
A man, after prolonged stress, suddenly becomes violent and later cannot recall his actions.
480. Ghost Sickness (Indigenous Native American/First Nations Concept)
Meaning:
A culturally defined illness involving preoccupation with the dead, nightmares, weakness, and distress following loss or spiritual imbalance.
Example:
A person experiences persistent fear and dreams involving deceased relatives, feeling spiritually unwell.
481. Ghost Sickness – Severe Type (Cultural Grief Syndrome)
Meaning:
More intense form of Ghost Sickness marked by persistent sadness, intrusive visions, nightmares, loss of appetite, and belief in spiritual imbalance. Cultural practices are often used for healing.
Example:
A person avoids certain places believing spirits linger there and experiences overwhelming grief connected to ancestors.
482. Hikikomori (Japan-Origin Social Withdrawal Syndrome)
Meaning:
Extreme social withdrawal lasting six months or more, where individuals isolate themselves at home, often confined to one room. Considered cultural but increasingly seen worldwide.
Example:
A teenager stops attending school, avoids all social contact, and remains in his bedroom for months.
483. Taijin Kyofusho – Offensive Type (Japan/Korea)
Meaning:
A fear of offending others through one’s appearance, smell, facial expressions, or body language. Similar to social anxiety but outward-focused.
Example:
A man avoids meeting people because he fears his presence might make others uncomfortable.
484. Taijin Kyofusho – Avoidant Type
Meaning:
The person avoids social situations due to fear of embarrassing others by being imperfect in some way.
Example:
A woman stays silent in groups because she fears that speaking will disturb others.
485. Susto (Latin American Culture-Bound Syndrome)
Meaning:
Belief that fright or trauma causes the soul to leave the body, resulting in depression-like symptoms, fatigue, and withdrawal.
Example:
After a shocking accident, a person feels weak, loses appetite, and believes their spirit has left them.
486. Latah (Malaysia/Indonesia Startle Syndrome)
Meaning:
A cultural condition characterized by extreme startle responses, automatic imitation (echopraxia), or repeating others' words (echolalia) when surprised.
Example:
A woman screams, mimics movements of others, or blurts inappropriate words when startled.
487. Running Amok – Acute Rage Dissociative State
Meaning:
A rare dissociative episode of sudden aggression, often with amnesia after the event, historically documented in Southeast Asian cultures.
Example:
A man suddenly runs violently through the streets during extreme stress and later cannot recall the episode.
488. Zar (East African/Middle Eastern Possession Syndrome)
Meaning:
A culturally sanctioned belief in spirit possession causing dissociation, shouting, laughing, singing, or trance behavior.
Example:
A woman enters rhythmic dancing and vocalization during ceremonies believed to expel possessing spirits.
489. Brain Fag Syndrome (West African Academic Distress Syndrome)
Meaning:
A condition involving mental exhaustion, concentration problems, and cognitive overload among students, linked to academic pressure.
Example:
A college student feels burning sensations in the head, difficulty focusing, and exhaustion during exam season.
490. Pibloktoq (Arctic Hysteria of Inuit Peoples)
Meaning:
A sudden dissociative state with screaming, running, or removing clothing in freezing temperatures, often followed by amnesia.
Example:
An individual suddenly runs outside in the cold shouting meaningless words and later cannot remember the event.
491. Khyâl Cap (Cambodian Wind Attack Syndrome)
Meaning:
A panic-like episode attributed to disturbances in “wind” energy moving through the body, causing dizziness, palpitations, and fear of death.
Example:
A woman feels wind rising inside her body, fears fainting or dying, and experiences panic-like symptoms.
492. Shenjing Shuairuo (Chinese Neurasthenia)
Meaning:
A culturally shaped syndrome involving mental fatigue, physical weakness, headaches, irritability, and sleep problems. Often associated with stress and chronic pressure.
Example:
A man feels persistent exhaustion, low mood, and headaches after months of work-related stress.
493. Hwa-Byung (Korean Anger Syndrome)
Meaning:
A culturally shaped disorder involving anger suppression leading to chest tightness, heat sensations, insomnia, and somatic distress.
Example:
A woman suppresses anger toward her family and later reports feeling “boiling heat” in her chest.
494. Koro-Like Anxiety in Non-Asian Cultures
Meaning:
Koro symptoms occurring outside traditional regions—fear of genital retraction or shrinkage—typically triggered by anxiety or sexual shame.
Example:
A young man in Europe becomes anxious that his penis is shrinking after reading misinformation online.
495. Anorexia Nervosa – Restricting Type
Meaning:
Weight loss achieved through dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise. The person severely restricts calories without purging.
Example:
A teenage girl eats extremely small portions and exercises intensely, believing she is still overweight.
496. Anorexia Nervosa – Binge/Purge Type
Meaning:
The individual restricts food but also engages in episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting or laxative use.
Example:
A young woman eats very little but occasionally binges and then forces herself to vomit due to guilt.
497. Bulimia Nervosa – Purging Type
Meaning:
Recurrent binge eating followed by purging through vomiting, laxatives, or diuretics.
Example:
A college student binges late at night and purges afterward to avoid weight gain.
498. Bulimia Nervosa – Non-Purging Type
Meaning:
Binge episodes followed by extreme dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise instead of purging.
Example:
A woman binges on large amounts of food then exercises for hours to compensate.
499. Binge-Eating Disorder – Severe
Meaning:
Frequent episodes of eating large quantities quickly, feeling unable to stop, accompanied by intense guilt and distress. No purging occurs.
Example:
A man eats until painfully full several times a week, often alone, and feels ashamed afterward.
500. Binge-Eating Disorder – Mild
Meaning:
Less frequent episodes of loss-of-control eating, typically once per week, still causing psychological discomfort.
Example:
A woman occasionally eats large amounts of food in secret and feels emotional distress afterward.
Summary
This dictionary provides a broad and structured overview of mental health conditions as described within the DSM framework. Across five hundred entries, disorders have been explained using simplified meanings and relatable examples to help students understand how symptoms may appear in daily life. The collection covers major clinical categories, including mood disturbances, anxiety conditions, trauma-related responses, neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive disorders, personality patterns, psychotic syndromes, substance-related conditions, eating and elimination disorders, sleep-wake disturbances, and culturally influenced expressions of distress. Subtypes, specifiers, and severity levels are also included to demonstrate the wide range of clinical presentations found in practice. By translating complex diagnostic concepts into accessible language, this resource supports foundational learning in clinical psychology and helps bridge the gap between theory and real-world application.
Conclusion
A clear understanding of mental disorders begins with recognizing how patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors shape human experience. The DSM provides a shared vocabulary for this recognition, and this dictionary has aimed to make that vocabulary meaningful for students. By providing simplified definitions and everyday examples, it creates an approachable entry point into the world of clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning. As learners progress, these initial explanations can serve as stepping stones toward deeper study, ethical practice, and more nuanced clinical judgment. Mental health work continues to evolve with advancing research and cultural awareness, and developing clarity in foundational concepts equips future practitioners to engage with these changes thoughtfully and responsibly.
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