Rumination disorder is a gastrointestinal disorder that causes a person to unintentionally regurgitate their undigested food shortly after ingestion.1 In most cases, the person expels or vomits up the food up to a half hour after eating. The patient could also regurgitate their food, rechew, then re-swallow it. It is important to note that regurgitation…
Category: Health
Sex And Depression
Depression is a very common mental disorder impacting the lives of millions of Americans every year.1 In addition to affecting a person’s mood, energy, and physical health, depression can also impact an individual’s sex life, both in terms of desire and function.2 Fortunately, depression can be treated and there are resources available to ease the…
If You Think You Have an Eating Disorder
An eating disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by irregular eating behaviors and patterns coupled with concern and distress over body shape and weight.1 People struggling with an eating disorder may use starvation, purging, or other behaviors to control their physical appearance. Although eating disorders typically develop during adolescence, anyone can develop one…
Sex and Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are a group of clinical diagnoses in which an abnormally high level of anxiety is the prominent symptom. These disorders include panic disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the US, affecting 40 million adults in the United…
Sex and Personality Disorders
Overview of Personality Disorders The term personality refers to patterns that characterize how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Personality is what makes each person unique. Personality disorders occur when certain personality traits are too rigid or compulsive. As defined by the American Psychological Association (APA), personality disorders are a group of mental illnesses that…
Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS)
What is EDNOS? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines EDNOS as atypical eating behaviors that cause significant distress and fit most, but not all of the criteria for the DSM-5 recognized eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder). Approximately 40-60% of patients who are treated for an eating disorder…
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
What is Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) categorizes Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) as a condition in which individuals do not meet the criteria for any currently diagnosable eating disorder yet still experience struggles with food and eating habits. A person diagnosed with ARFID is typically not…