Glossary of Terms - Mental and Emotional Disorders

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Glossary - "F G H I J K"

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Fine Motor (Graphomotor) Skill Disorder
The term used for a disorder where an individual has a problem with those skills carried out by small muscle groups. For example, a child cannot use a pencil at the same level as his/her peers. See Validation Statement.

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Fragile X - See Autistic Disorder

Functional Disorders
A disorder in which an action that is required to perform a task is ineffective or absent in the affected individual. There are numerous disorders in this category. For example, a child must see to read or a child must remember multiplication tables to succeed in mathematics (working memory). When a specific functional disorder is listed in the ABLE Report, the user may refer to the ABLE Glossary for a definition or explanation. See Validation Statement.

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Gender Identification Disorder
There are two components of Gender Identify Disorder, both of which must be present to make the diagnosis. There must be evidence of a strong and persistent cross-gender identification, which is the desire to be, or the insistence that one is, of the other sex. There must also be evidence of persistent discomfort about one's assigned sex or a sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex. In boys, the cross-gender identification is manifested by a marked preoccupation with traditionally feminine activities. While in girls, the cross-gender identification is manifested by a marked preoccupation with traditionally masculine activities. See Validation Statement.

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Generalized Anxiety
The term used for an individual who experiences uncontrollable anxiety, worry or concern about their participation in daily activities and ordinary events. Associated with the disorder are signs and symptoms that may include restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sleep disorders and perceived illness or body complaints. The condition should be present for 6 months or more and should not take precedence over other, more specific, anxiety disorders. See Validation Statement, Anxiety Disorder and Adjustment Disorder.

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Gross Motor Skill Disorder
The term used for a disorder where an individual has a problem with those skills carried out by large muscle groups. For example, a child cannot at the appropriate age, throw a ball. See Validation Statement.

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Hypochondriasis
The term used for a condition where an individual is preoccupied with the belief that he/she has a serious disease that is based on misperception of bodily symptoms and is not the result of an actual illness. The condition must persist after appropriate medical consultation and over a period of six months or more. See Validation Statement, Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorder and Somatoform Disorder.

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Intermittent Explosive Disorder
The term used for a disorder where an individual has several intermittent and distinct episodes of aggression that result in assault on persons or property. The degree of stress precipitating the episode is often so insignificant that one cannot realistically justify the act. Some experts deny the existence of this condition, suggesting the behavior can be accounted for in other mental conditions. See Validation Statement, Conduct Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorder.

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Juvenile Mania
A disorder characterized by episodes where an individual enters into an expansive mood that includes symptoms of extreme agitation and/or an unrealistic exuberance (grandiose ideas and boastfulness). Other symptoms include restlessness, rapidly changing thoughts or ideas, risk taking, sleeplessness and goal oriented obsessiveness. Symptoms are often cyclical in nature.

Mania in early childhood and adolescence is often different from the classical episodic adult presentation. In this age group an individual with Mania often presents with angry, highly volatile and aggressive behavior. The behavior may be more rapidly cycling or more constinuous than the adult form. Academic and social performance is usually significantly impaired.

Some authorities believe that Juvenile Mania is a variant of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder rather than a separate and distinct disorder. Others prefer to consider it an entity in its own right but separate from adult mania. Dr. Joe Beiderman has used the term "dysphoric conduct disorder" to describe children with the complex behavior involving a volatile mood often associated with aggression and symptoms seen with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The ABLE Group has departed from the usual DSM IV diagnostic criteria by incorporating all of the adult symptoms with those symptoms seen in children and adolescents. The Validation Report, using bar graphs with adult symptoms of Mania and an addendum for those of children will, hopefully, be helpful assisting others at arriving at the diagnosis of this complex and controversial disorder. One should be very cautious in making this diagnosis and employ expert professionals in the field of mental health for consultation. Treatment can be difficult and the condition can be life threatening. Juvenile Mania is a serious disorder and should have a high priority for timely medical intervention. See Validation Statement, Affect and Mood Disorder and Conduct Disorder.

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Kleptomania
The term used for a condition where an individual cannot resist the impulse to steal objects even though the objects are of little or no value to the individual who steals. The individual does not intend to steal for personal gain or retribution and experiences a relief of mounting tension after the act is accomplished. See Validation Statement, Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorder and Conduct Disorder.

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