Other Psychiatric Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

What it is: A lifelong difference in how a person communicates, socializes, and experiences the world (including sensory input).

Common signs:
Challenges with back-and-forth conversation, eye contact, or reading social cues
Focused interests or routines; repetitive movements or speech
Sensory differences (sound, touch, light) Diagnosis: Developmental history + observation by trained clinicians; may use tools like play-based or interview assessments. Treatment & support: Skills-based therapies, speech/occupational therapy, school supports/IEP, coaching for daily living. Medicines can help with specific issues (e.g., ADHD, anxiety, sleep, irritability).

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

What it is: Severe, frequent temper outbursts with an irritable or angry mood most of the day, most days (in children 6–18).
Common signs:
Explosive reactions (≥3/week) out of proportion to the situation
Irritable or angry between outbursts, in more than one setting (home/school) Diagnosis: Clinical interview and reports from caregivers/teachers; rules out bipolar disorder. Treatment & support: Patient and family training, emotion-regulation CBT, school plans. Medicines may help co-occurring conditions (e.g., ADHD, anxiety/depression); short-term use of other meds for severe aggression if needed.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

What it is: Two or more distinct identity states with gaps in memory. Often linked to long-term trauma.
Common signs:
Feeling “not yourself,” hearing internal voices, time loss or missing memories
Depersonalization/derealization (feeling detached from self or surroundings) Diagnosis: Careful trauma-informed evaluation by a mental health professional; medical causes ruled out. Treatment & support: Phase-based psychotherapy (stabilization → trauma work → integration), grounding and safety skills, treatment of depression/anxiety/PTSD. Recovery is possible.

Other Conditions

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Somatic Symptom & Related Disorders

Somatic Symptom Disorder – Distressing physical symptoms (e.g., pain, fatigue) plus excessive health worry or time spent on symptoms.

Illness Anxiety Disorder – High fear of serious illness with few/no symptoms; frequent checking or avoidance of care.

Functional Neurological (Conversion) Disorder – Neurologic-type symptoms (e.g., nonepileptic seizures, weakness) not explained by nerve damage; symptoms are real and treatable.

Diagnosis: Positive clinical signs and pattern of symptoms; unnecessary testing is avoided.

Treatment & support: Regular visits with one clinician, CBT and skills-based therapies, physical/occupational therapy when movement is affected, treatment of anxiety/depression, gentle pacing and activity plans.

Factitious Disorders

What it is: Making up or causing symptoms without obvious external gain (to assume a “sick role”).
Imposed on self or imposed on another (a form of abuse when done to a child or dependent adult).
Common signs: Inconsistent histories, symptoms that don’t match tests, extensive hospital use.
Diagnosis: Careful record review and team approach.
Treatment & safety: Non-judgmental medical/mental health care, one primary coordinator, protection and reporting when another person is being harmed.

15+

Years of experience

Impulse-Control Disorders

Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) – Sudden aggressive outbursts; relief afterward, then remorse.
Kleptomania – Repeated stealing of items not needed for personal use or value.
Pyromania – Repeated fire-setting with fascination/pleasure from fire.
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (hair-pulling/skin-picking) – Repetitive behaviors despite attempts to stop.
Diagnosis: Clinical interview; looks at triggers, patterns, and impacts on life.
Treatment & support: CBT (anger management, exposure/response prevention, habit-reversal), skills for urges, treat co-occurring conditions; some benefit from medications (e.g., SSRIs, others case-by-case).

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Sexual Dysfunctions

What it is: Ongoing difficulties with desire, arousal, orgasm, or pain during sex that cause distress. Affects all genders.
Common signs: Low desire, difficulty getting/maintaining erections, delayed or early ejaculation, difficulty reaching orgasm, pain with penetration.
Diagnosis: Private, respectful discussion of medical history, medications, relationships, mood, and hormones when needed.
Treatment & support: Education and couples/sex therapy; adjust medications that affect sexual function; targeted treatments (e.g., PDE-5 inhibitors for erectile concerns, pelvic floor therapy for pain, SSRI strategies for early ejaculation, hormone treatment for documented hormone problems).

Paraphilic Disorders

What it is: Unusual sexual interests that cause personal distress, involve risk of harm, or involve anyone without consent.
Key points:
Help is available for managing urges and building safe, values-based behavior.
Non-consensual or harmful behavior is never okay and may have legal consequences.
Diagnosis & care: Specialized assessment, confidential therapy focusing on safety plans, relapse-prevention skills, and healthy sexuality. Some people benefit from SSRIs or medicines that reduce sex drive; medical monitoring and informed consent are required.

When to seek help

Your symptoms cause distress, problems at home/school/work, or safety concerns.
You’re using alcohol/drugs to cope.
You have thoughts of harming yourself or others.
At Vivabest Psychiatry PLLC, we focus on a biopsychosocial plan: psychoeducation + psychotherapy + school/family/system interventions; add meds for targeted symptoms/comorbidities; coordinate care and safety plans where risk is present.
Emergency: If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. In the U.S., you can call/text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7.