Clinical Specialties at C.A.R.E. Inc.

Stress Disorders

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Clinical Definition: PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event.
• Layman’s Definition: PTSD develops after very scary or dangerous events, leaving you on edge and haunted by memories.
• Common Symptoms: Flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, emotional numbness, avoidance, sleep issues, irritability.

Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

• Clinical Definition: CPTSD stems from prolonged trauma and includes PTSD symptoms plus emotional and relational challenges.
• Layman’s Definition: A deeper version of PTSD caused by long-term trauma, often in childhood.
• Common Symptoms: Emotional dysregulation, low self-worth, relationship struggles, chronic shame, dissociation.

Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS)

• Clinical Definition: A trauma-related condition similar to CPTSD, often seen in individuals exposed to prolonged trauma.
• Layman’s Definition: A mix of PTSD symptoms and emotional struggles after ongoing trauma.
• Common Symptoms: Emotional numbness, low self-esteem, identity issues, mood instability.

Attachment Disorders

Attachment Disorder (AD) 

• Clinical Definition: Disorders where children struggle to form healthy emotional bonds due to early neglect.
• Layman’s Definition: Trouble bonding or trusting others because of early abuse or neglect.
• Common Symptoms: Avoiding closeness, mistrust, lack of affection, controlling behavior.

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) 

• Clinical Definition: A severe disorder in young children resulting from extreme neglect.
• Layman’s Definition: Inability to connect or trust due to not being cared for early in life.
• Common Symptoms: Withdrawal, lack of interest in relationships, difficulty seeking comfort.

 Compromised Attachment 

• Clinical Definition: Less severe attachment disruption where individuals still function but struggle emotionally.
• Layman’s Definition: Trouble trusting others due to difficult early experiences.
• Common Symptoms: Emotional detachment, fear of abandonment, trust issues.

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) 

• Clinical Definition: Presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states.
• Layman’s Definition: Switching between identities as a way to cope with trauma.
• Common Symptoms: Memory gaps, blackouts, identity confusion.

Depersonalization Disorder 

• Clinical Definition: Persistent detachment from one's self, as if observing from outside the body.
• Layman’s Definition: Feeling like you're watching yourself from outside your body.
• Common Symptoms: Feeling unreal, dream-like sensations, emotional numbness.

Derealization Disorder 

• Clinical Definition: Persistent detachment from the world around you, which may feel foggy or dreamlike.
• Layman’s Definition: The world feels fake or distant, like a movie.
• Common Symptoms: Disconnection, visual distortions, emotional detachment.

Depression Disorders

Major Depression 

• Clinical Definition: Severe mood disorder with persistent sadness and lack of interest.
• Layman’s Definition: Ongoing sadness that interferes with everyday life.
• Common Symptoms: Hopelessness, fatigue, sleep/appetite changes, suicidal thoughts.

Recurring Depression 

• Clinical Definition: Repeated episodes of major depression over time.
• Layman’s Definition: Depression that comes and goes throughout life.
• Common Symptoms: Cycles of sadness, energy loss, and lack of motivation.

Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder) 

• Clinical Definition: Low-level depression lasting two years or more.
• Layman’s Definition: A constant low mood that doesn’t go away.
• Common Symptoms: Irritability, low energy, chronic sadness.

Bipolar Disorder 

• Clinical Definition: Mood disorder with alternating manic and depressive episodes.
• Layman’s Definition: High-energy periods followed by deep lows.
• Common Symptoms: Mood swings, impulsivity, sleep issues.

Situational Depression 

• Clinical Definition: Depression triggered by a life event, short-term.
• Layman’s Definition: Feeling down after a major change or loss.
• Common Symptoms: Sadness, worry, sleep disruption.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) 

• Clinical Definition: Depression triggered by seasonal changes, typically winter.
• Layman’s Definition: Feeling sad or tired during darker seasons.
• Common Symptoms: Fatigue, low mood, sleep problems.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) 

• Clinical Definition: Childhood disorder marked by severe temper outbursts.
• Layman’s Definition: Kids who regularly have extreme tantrums and irritability.
• Common Symptoms: Mood swings, aggression, constant anger. 

Anxiety Disorders

Panic Attacks 

• Clinical Definition: Sudden, intense fear that peaks within minutes.
• Layman’s Definition: Overwhelming anxiety that strikes out of nowhere.
• Common Symptoms: Racing heart, shaking, chest pain, dizziness.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) 

• Clinical Definition: Chronic and excessive worry about daily life.
• Layman’s Definition: Worrying about everything, all the time.
• Common Symptoms: Restlessness, fatigue, insomnia.

Phobias

• Clinical Definition: Intense, irrational fear of specific things or situations.
• Layman’s Definition: Extreme fear that impacts your ability to function.
• Common Symptoms: Panic, avoidance, physical symptoms.

Social Anxiety Disorder 

• Clinical Definition: Persistent fear of social interactions due to embarrassment or judgment.
• Layman’s Definition: Extreme shyness or fear of being watched.
• Common Symptoms: Avoiding social events, sweating, nausea, fast heart rate.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 

• Clinical Definition: Obsessions (unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors).
• Layman’s Definition: Repeating actions or thoughts to feel safe or reduce fear.
• Common Symptoms: Checking, cleaning, counting, intrusive thoughts.

Pediatric and Behavioral Disorders

Separation Anxiety Disorder 

• Clinical Definition: Fear of being away from caregivers.
• Layman’s Definition: Intense distress when apart from loved ones.
• Common Symptoms: Clinginess, tantrums, nightmares.

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) 

• Clinical Definition: Inattentiveness without hyperactivity.
• Layman’s Definition: Trouble focusing, organizing, or following through.
• Common Symptoms: Forgetfulness, distraction, low attention span.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) 

• Clinical Definition: Inattentiveness plus hyperactivity and impulsivity.
• Layman’s Definition: Trouble sitting still, focusing, and thinking before acting.
• Common Symptoms: Fidgeting, blurting, restlessness.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) 

• Clinical Definition: Sudden aggressive outbursts disproportionate to triggers.
• Layman’s Definition: Intense anger that feels uncontrollable.
• Common Symptoms: Rage, yelling, physical aggression.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) 

• Clinical Definition: Pattern of defiant and hostile behavior toward authority.
• Layman’s Definition: Frequent arguing and refusal to follow rules.
• Common Symptoms: Temper, blaming others, spiteful behavior.

Conduct Disorder (Non-Legal Involvement) 

• Clinical Definition: Ongoing pattern of behavior violating social norms but without current legal consequences.
• Layman’s Definition: Aggressive or deceitful behavior in kids/teens without legal trouble.
• Common Symptoms: Lying, bullying, breaking rules.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) 

• Clinical Definition: Delays in socialization and communication, often on the autism spectrum.
• Layman’s Definition: Challenges with speaking, relating to others, or repetitive behaviors.
• Common Symptoms: Delayed speech, social difficulty, fixated interests.

Social Communication Disorder 

• Clinical Definition: Trouble using verbal/nonverbal language in social settings.
• Layman’s Definition: Difficulty knowing how to talk and act in social situations.
• Common Symptoms: Trouble with conversations, humor, or understanding body language.

Grief & Loss

• Clinical Definition: Emotional, psychological, and physical response to loss; prolonged grief may become a diagnosable condition.
• Layman’s Definition: Deep sadness and difficulty coping after losing something or someone important.
• Common Clinical Reasons:

  • Divorce or breakup

  • Death of a loved one
  •  

  • Miscarriage or infertility

  • Job loss or financial hardship

  • Chronic illness

  • Major life transitions

  • Collective grief (e.g., pandemic, disasters)

  • Complicated grief that doesn’t resolve over time