Factitious disorder imposed on self is a complex psychological condition where an individual deliberately produces, feigns, or exaggerates physical or psychological symptoms without obvious external incentives such as financial gain or avoiding legal responsibility. The primary motivation is to assume…
Munchausen syndrome by proxy, now more commonly referred to as factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA), is a complex and disturbing form of child abuse. It involves a caregiver, often a parent, fabricating or inducing illnesses in a child to…
Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is caused primarily by violently shaking an infant or young child, which leads to serious brain injury. When a baby is shaken forcefully, their fragile brain moves back and forth inside the skull. This violent motion…
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a tragic and sudden event where an apparently healthy baby under one year of age dies unexpectedly, usually during sleep, without any clear cause even after thorough investigation. Because SIDS happens so suddenly and…
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) occurs when a newborn experiences withdrawal symptoms after being exposed to certain substances, primarily opioids, while in the womb. This happens because the baby’s developing brain and body become accustomed to the presence of these drugs…
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a serious condition caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy that leads to lifelong complications affecting the brain, body, and behavior of the child. The complications are wide-ranging and can be physical, cognitive, emotional, and social.…
Korsakoff syndrome is caused primarily by a severe deficiency of thiamine, also known as vitamin B1. This vitamin is essential for brain function, particularly in areas involved with memory and cognition. When the body lacks enough thiamine, certain brain regions—especially…
Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a serious neurological disorder caused primarily by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), often linked to chronic alcohol abuse but also seen in malnutrition and other conditions affecting vitamin absorption. The signs of Wernicke’s encephalopathy typically appear…
Delirium tremens (DTs) is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition that arises as a complication of alcohol withdrawal. It typically occurs in people who have been drinking heavily and regularly for a long time and then suddenly stop or significantly…
Treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) involves a carefully managed process to safely help individuals stop drinking while minimizing potentially dangerous symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal can range from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening complications like seizures or delirium tremens, so treatment must…