Elevated prolactin levels (>29 ng/mL in nonpregnant, nonlactating women, >18 ng/mL in men) that can cause the following symptoms: ● Women: Menstrual irregularity or amenorrhea, infertility, lowered libido, galactorrhea, decreased bone density, increase or thickening of hair in unexpected areas such as face. ● Men: Breast enlargement (gynecomastia), erectile dysfunction, low libido, infertility, galactorrhea.

Excessive drooling, usually more severe at night

Also known as pseudoparkinsonism, these drug-induced symptoms mimic those of Parkinson’s disease:

Patients with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) may be admitted to inpatient units for a variety of reasons. Either way, ASD patients can be challenging, and this fact sheet will remind you of the basic features of ASD as well as some helpful treatment measures to implement.

Involuntary grinding of teeth, which especially occurs during sleep but can also occur in the daytime. In 5% of cases this can cause severe health problems, such as destruction of tooth structure, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, myofascial pain, and sleep disturbances.

Patients who deliberately swallow objects are among the most challenging you’ll work with. Deliberate foreign body ingestion (DFBI) is costly and resource intensive, in part because of these patients’ extremely high rate of repeated swallowing attempts: Over 80% of DFBI presentations occur in patients with prior ingestions. Pens, toothbrushes, and batteries are among the most commonly ingested items.

Passing of loose or watery stools, at least three times in a 24-hour period. Often due to infectious etiology (eg, rotovirus, norovirus, adenoviruses, E. coli) but can occur as a side effect to medications. Most cases resolve with routine over-the-counter treatment.

Occasionally you will encounter patients who report having multiple personalities or alters. Formerly called “multiple personality disorder,” this condition is now termed Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Here are the essential points to know about this disorder.

People with factitious disorder aren't merely "faking it" — they go to great lengths to make themselves or others appear ill. Their behaviors may involve significant self-harm or other extreme behaviors to sustain the illusion of illness. This used to be known by the term “Munchausen disorder.”

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective approach for patients with anxiety disorders—but only if they demonstrate motivation and a commitment to complete therapeutic exercises and apply learned coping mechanisms.