📘 Chapter D4 — Module 5

 

Addiction (including Alcohol Dependence)

Addiction is a chronic medical condition where a person feels a strong compulsion to repeatedly use a substance or engage in a behaviour, even when it causes harm. It affects brain function, decision-making, and self-control, and can lead to long-term physical, psychological, and social difficulties.

⚠️ Core Features of Addiction

• Craving → strong urge to use
• Compulsion → inability to stop
• Loss of control → using more than intended
• Continued use despite harm → health, work, relationships affected

🔬 Types of Addiction

1. Substance Addiction

• Alcohol
• Nicotine (smoking)
• Drugs (e.g., opioids, cocaine)

2. Behavioural Addiction

• Gambling
• Gaming / internet use
• Shopping
• Work addiction

🍷 Alcohol Dependence (Alcohol Use Disorder)

Alcohol dependence is a chronic condition involving both physical and psychological reliance on alcohol, often linked to long-term brain changes.

Key symptoms:

• Tolerance (needing more alcohol for effect)
• Withdrawal (shaking, nausea, sweating, insomnia)
• Loss of control over drinking
• Strong cravings
• Drinking despite harm

Physical vs Psychological Dependence:

• Physical: body adapts → withdrawal symptoms occur
• Psychological: emotional need to drink to cope

🔁 Recovery and Support

• Therapy (CBT, counselling)
• Rehabilitation programmes
• Medication support (in some cases)
• Support groups
• Lifestyle changes and relapse prevention strategies

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📘 Module 7

Allergies

Allergies are immune system reactions to substances that are usually harmless (called allergens), such as pollen, food, or animal dander. Reactions can range from mild to severe.

🌿 Common Allergens

• Pollen, dust mites, mould
• Pet dander
• Foods (nuts, dairy, shellfish, etc.)
• Insect stings
• Medications (e.g., penicillin)

🤧 Symptoms

• Sneezing, runny or blocked nose
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Skin rashes, hives
• Swelling

🚨 Severe Reaction (Anaphylaxis)

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of throat/lips/tongue
• Dizziness or collapse
• Requires emergency treatment

💊 Treatment

• Antihistamines
• Nasal sprays
• Avoiding triggers
• Allergy injections (immunotherapy)
• Epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) for emergencies

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📘 Module 8

Alzheimer’s Disease (Dementia)

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder and the most common cause of dementia. It affects memory, thinking, and behaviour.

🧠 Key Features

• Progressive memory loss
• Confusion about time/place
• Difficulty with planning or problem-solving
• Language and communication difficulties
• Personality and mood changes

🧬 Causes

• Amyloid plaques
• Tau tangles
• Brain cell damage and shrinkage

⚠️ Important Note

Dementia is not limited to older adults — it can affect younger people too, though it is more common with age.

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📘 Module 10

Anaemia

Anaemia is a condition where the body has too few healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin, reducing oxygen flow in the body.

🩸 Causes

• Iron, B12, or folate deficiency
• Blood loss
• Chronic illness
• Genetic conditions

😴 Symptoms

• Fatigue and weakness
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Heart palpitations

💊 Treatment

• Dietary changes
• Iron or vitamin supplements
• Treating underlying causes

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📘 Module 11

Angina

Angina is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, usually due to coronary artery disease.

❤️ Symptoms

• Chest tightness or pressure
• Pain spreading to arms, neck, jaw, or back
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or nausea

⚠️ Triggers

• Physical activity
• Stress
• Heavy meals
• Cold temperatures

💊 Treatment

• Medication (e.g., nitroglycerin)
• Lifestyle changes
• Surgery (stents or bypass in severe cases)

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📘 Module 13

Arthritis

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints causing pain, stiffness, and reduced movement. It can affect people of all ages.

🦴 Types

• Osteoarthritis (wear and tear)
• Rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune)
• Gout (uric acid crystals)

⚠️ Symptoms

• Joint pain and stiffness
• Swelling
• Reduced movement
• Fatigue (in some types)

💊 Treatment

• Pain relief medication
• Physical therapy
• Lifestyle changes
• Surgery in severe cases

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📘 Module 14–16

Eating Disorders (Overview + Types + Related Conditions)

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions involving unhealthy eating behaviours and distorted body image.

🧠 Core Features

• Fear of weight gain
• Distorted body image
• Restrictive eating or bingeing
• Emotional distress around food

🍽 Types

• Anorexia Nervosa: severe restriction and weight loss
• Bulimia Nervosa: bingeing followed by purging
• Binge Eating Disorder: eating large amounts with loss of control
• ARFID: avoidance of food without body image concerns

⚠️ Causes

• Genetic factors
• Psychological stress
• Social and environmental influences

💊 Treatment

• Therapy (CBT, specialist treatment)
• Nutritional support
• Medical monitoring

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🍷 Module 17

Binge Drinking & Binge Eating

These behaviours involve consuming large amounts in a short time.

🍺 Binge Drinking

• Heavy alcohol consumption in a short period
• Risks: liver damage, addiction, accidents

🍔 Binge Eating

• Eating large amounts of food with loss of control
• Often linked to emotional distress

🔗 Link Between Both

Both can:

• Be coping mechanisms for stress
• Co-occur with mental health conditions
• Lead to long-term physical and emotional harm

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📘 Chapter B2

Bipolar Disorder, BPD & Body Dysmorphic Disorder

⚖️ Bipolar Disorder (BD)

A mood disorder involving episodes of:

• Mania (high energy, impulsivity)
• Depression (low mood, fatigue)

⚡ Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Characterised by:

• Intense emotional instability
• Fear of abandonment
• Rapid mood changes (hours, not weeks)

🔍 Key Differences

• BD = longer mood cycles
• BPD = rapid emotional shifts linked to relationships
• Treatment differs (medication vs therapy focus)

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🪞 Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

• Obsession with perceived flaws in appearance
• Repeated mirror checking or reassurance seeking
• Significant distress and anxiety

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📘 Module 19

Caffeine & Cannabis Use Disorders

☕ Caffeine Use Disorder (research category)

• Difficulty reducing caffeine use
• Withdrawal symptoms (headaches, fatigue)
• Not yet a full DSM-5 diagnosis

🌿 Cannabis Use Disorder (recognised diagnosis)

• Craving and tolerance
• Continued use despite harm
• Social or occupational impairment

🔬 Key Difference

• Caffeine = “under study”
• Cannabis = fully recognised disorder

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📘 Module 20

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a structured psychological therapy that helps people change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.

🧠 Core Idea

• Thoughts affect feelings
• Feelings affect behaviour

🎯 Key Features

• Short-term and goal-focused
• Practical coping strategies
• Homework tasks and exercises
• Evidence-based treatment

💡 Used For

• Anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD
• OCD
• Eating disorders

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📘 Module 21

Dementia

Dementia is a group of conditions affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning.

🧠 Symptoms

• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Difficulty communicating
• Behaviour changes

⚠️ Important Note

Dementia is not a normal part of ageing and can affect younger people depending on cause.

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📘 Module 23

Depression

Depression is a common but serious mental health condition affecting mood, thoughts, and daily functioning.

😔 What it is

• Persistent low mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure
• Emotional “emptiness” or numbness

⚠️ Common Misunderstandings

• Not “attention seeking”
• Not simply being moody
• Not a choice or personality flaw

🧠 Causes

• Sometimes no clear cause
• Life events (loss, stress)
• Genetics
• Chemical/brain changes

💊 Treatment

• Talking therapies (CBT, counselling)
• Medication (antidepressants)
• Lifestyle support and social care

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📘 Module 24

Diabetes

Diabetes is a long-term condition where blood sugar levels become too high due to insulin problems.

🍬 Types

• Type 1: immune system destroys insulin cells
• Type 2: insulin resistance (often lifestyle-related)

⚠️ Symptoms

• Excess thirst
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Weight changes
• Blurred vision

💊 Management

• Medication or insulin
• Diet control
• Exercise
• Blood sugar monitoring

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📘 Module 25

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a learning disability affecting writing ability and fine motor skills.

✍️ Symptoms

• Poor handwriting
• Spelling inconsistencies
• Slow writing speed
• Difficulty organising thoughts

🧠 Causes

• Brain-based processing differences
• Motor planning difficulties

💡 Support

• Occupational therapy
• Assistive technology
• Writing accommodations

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📘 Module 26

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty affecting reading, spelling, and decoding words.

📖 Symptoms

• Slow reading
• Spelling difficulties
• Trouble decoding words
• Memory and sequencing issues

🧠 Cause

• Brain-based language processing differences
• Often genetic

💡 Support

• Structured literacy approaches (e.g. Orton-Gillingham)
• Assistive tools
• Extra time and accommodations

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📘 Module 27

Dyspraxia (DCD)

Dyspraxia affects coordination, movement, and motor planning.

🤸 Symptoms

• Clumsiness
• Poor balance
• Difficulty with handwriting or dressing
• Speech difficulties in some cases

🧠 Causes

• Brain communication differences
• Often present from birth

💡 Support

• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Educational support plans

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📘 Module 28

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Overview

Special needs include learning, developmental, and neurological differences affecting daily life.

🧠 Conditions Include (A–Z style)

• ADHD
• Autism (ASD)
• Dyslexia
• Dyscalculia
• Dysgraphia
• Dyspraxia
• Tourette Syndrome

📚 Impact

• Learning differences
• Communication challenges
• Motor coordination issues
• Social and emotional needs

💡 Support

• Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
• Therapy (speech, OT, behavioural)
• Classroom accommodations
• Assistive technology

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📘 Module 30

FASD & Fibromyalgia

🍷 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

Types

• FAS (most severe)
• pFAS
• ARND
• ARBD

Effects

• Learning difficulties
• Behavioural challenges
• Physical development issues

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💢 Fibromyalgia

A chronic pain condition.

Symptoms

• Widespread pain
• Fatigue
• “Fibro fog” (cognitive difficulty)
• Sleep problems

Treatment

• Pain management
• Exercise
• Therapy

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📘 Module 31

Gambling Disorder (Gender Differences)

Gambling disorder affects behaviour, impulse control, and mental health.

🎲 Key Gender Differences

• Men: higher rates, risk-taking, sports betting
• Women: emotional coping, bingo/lottery use

⚠️ Patterns

• Faster progression in women (“telescoping”)
• Higher depression rates in female gamblers
• Substance misuse more common in male gamblers

💡 Risk Factors

• Mental health conditions
• Stress and trauma
• Social isolation