Chapter 16: Other Miscellaneous Disorders

The discussion extends to eating disorders across their presentations—anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder—addressing the neurobiological substrates and limited but evolving pharmacological options for each subtype. Adult ADHD receives particular attention regarding symptom recognition and the comparative efficacy of stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines versus non-stimulant alternatives including atomoxetine and guanfacine. The chapter then addresses self-injurious behavior and aggression, explaining how opioid antagonists like naltrexone, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and mood stabilizers can modulate these destructive behaviors through different neurochemical mechanisms. Cognitive decline and dementia are examined through the lens of cholinergic dysfunction, with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonists representing symptomatic treatment strategies. A substantial portion focuses on antidepressant classes and their mechanisms, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and atypical agents, detailing how each affects neurotransmitter systems. Beyond depression treatment, the chapter explores how antidepressants exert therapeutic effects in obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain syndromes, and as adjunctive therapy in bipolar disorder, while discussing neurobiological mechanisms including monoaminergic rebalancing, corticotropin-releasing factor reduction, and promotion of neuroplasticity.