Practice Briefs

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychological Association [APA], 2013) as a disorder that can occur following exposure to actual or threatened death...

Schizophrenia is characterized by delusions, hallucinations (most commonly auditory), disorganized thinking or speech, disorganized or abnormal motor behavior, and negative symptoms (e.g., flat affect; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013).

Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) is defined as developmentally inappropriate and excessive distress or anxiety that involves a fear of separation from those to whom an individual is attached (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013, p. 190).

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as “…a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.”

Suicide prevention is inclusive of all activities undertaken for the reduction of the prevalence of suicide.

Counselors typically use a suicide risk assessment (SRA) to determine whether an individual is at risk of suicidal behavior. The purpose of the SRA is to identify risk and protective factors that assist clinician’s formulation of risk.

The primary challenge for HSPs is overstimulation. Overstimulation becomes the foundation for emotional intensity, strong response to criticism, negative internalization, and the potential for low self-esteem.

Co-occurring disorders involve the presence of one or more mental health disorder in conjunction with one or more substance use disorder. The terms co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis are often used interchangeably

Tolerable levels of anxiety and fear are a part of typical development for young people. Yet, fear and anxiety can become problematic and impede some young people’s abilities to function and can even advance to the point of a disorder.

Insomnia influences an individual’s psychological, occupational, and physical health, as well as his or her economic status, and can result in decreased overall functionality and production (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013).