MAPS Research Topics
Major Depressive Disorder
Clinical depression includes emotional, cognitive (thinking), physical, and behavioral symptoms that last longer than two weeks. Emotional symptoms include sadness, irritability, and anxiety, as well as decreased enjoyment and interest. Cognitive symptoms include ideas of worthlessness, helplessness, and hopelessness, as well as difficulties with concentration and memory. Behavioral symptoms include crying, irritable behavior, social withdrawal, and decreased activity and productivity. Clinical depression can present with varying degrees of severity and length. It is a common illness that causes marked distress and interferes with relationships and work functioning.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by recurrent mood episodes, one of which must have been hypomanic or manic in nature. Hypomania and mania describe states of elevated or intensely irritable mood, high energy, increased productivity and risky, impulsive behaviors.
People with bipolar disorder may also experience episodes of depression, characterized by profound sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep and appetite changes, and suicidal thoughts. Recurring episodes of depression and mania may interfere substantially with quality of life and may lead to occupational, legal, and relationship problems.
Currently, we are not conducting any bipolar disorder studies.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical or personal harm occurred or threatened to occur. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, rape, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.
People with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts, nightmares, or memories of their ordeal. They may experience sleep problems, be irritable or easily startled, and have a hard time concentrating. They may also lose interest in their usual activities or feel emotionally numb, especially with people they were once close to.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by recurrent, senseless, and highly anxiety-provoking thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions) that intrude into a person’s mind against his or her will. People who suffer from obsessions usually have some awareness that the thoughts are irrational, although they may be scary and seem bizarre. The obsessions may trigger a set of ritualized behaviors (compulsions) that the person feels driven to perform repeatedly in order to feel less anxious. Some of the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder include: fear of doing harm, fear of germs or illness, repeated checking or washing/cleaning, and repetitive, time-consuming "rituals."
Currently, we are not conducting any obsessive-compulsive disorder studies.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about a number of different issues (such as relationships, work performance, or safety), lasting for at least six months. This is often accompanied by physical anxiety symptoms such as muscle tension or upset stomach. Individuals with this disorder are often easily fatigued and may experience irritability, as well as sleep and concentration difficulties.
Currently, we are not conducting any generalized anxiety disorder studies.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is triggered by social or performance situations in which one may be the focus of attention or evaluated negatively by others. Some of the symptoms of social anxiety disorder include: fear of looking foolish, fear of public speaking, fear of making conversation, fear of public places, and fear of meeting new people. There are also physical symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, or nausea in public places.
Currently, we are not conducting any social anxiety disorder studies.
Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder consists of experiencing panic attacks or fearing recurring panic attacks. Panic attacks can be characterized as out-of-the-blue, tremendous rushes of fear that are quickly accompanied by heart racing, sweating, difficulty breathing, dizziness, tingling, or nausea. Sometimes people who experience panic attacks even fear they might be dying. When not experiencing panic attacks, people with panic disorder can spend so much time worrying about when their next attack will be that they end up missing out on activities and places they used to be able to enjoy.
Currently, we are not conducting any panic disorder studies.