Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition that affects people’s view of themselves and others around them. It is characterized by the need to feel important or impressive, sometimes paired with a lack of empathy for others. People with NPD tend to put their own wellbeing at risk to fulfill their desires, often harming themselves in the process. The condition gets its name from the myth of the Greek hunter Narcissus, who was so enamored by his own reflection that he stared at it until he died.
Narcissistic personality disorder is relatively common, with around 5% of the U.S. population having some form of NPD. It is also 50-70% more common in males than females. Often, NPD is developed at an early age due to trauma, abuse, or too much/too little attention and praise. NPD frequently occurs in tandem with other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. Treatment for the condition includes talk therapy and medication.
Neurocognitive Disorders
Neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) are characterized by the gradual decline of cognitive function. They differ from developmental disorders, which are present from birth or early life. The main cause of developing an NCD is age; around 3% of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have a neurocognitive disorder, but that number rises to 19% in the next decade and nearly 50% in the decade after. Secondary causes of NCDs include chemical imbalances, genetic predisposition, and brain trauma.
Neurocognitive disorders were initially categorized as “dementia” in official medical settings. As research continued, NCDs became more distinct from one another, contributing to the need for more precise diagnoses. With the publication of the DSM-5 in 2013, neurocognitive disorders replaced dementia as the umbrella term for these conditions and dementia was renamed as “major neurocognitive disorder” to reflect its unique severity.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) impact brain development, learning, and cognitive function. Symptoms of NDDs tend to manifest in children or adolescents, but many people go undiagnosed until adulthood. Common neurodevelopmental disorders include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), motor disorders like Tourette Syndrome and cerebral palsy, and learning / communication disorders.
It is estimated that around 5-20% of the general population has some kind of NDD. The wide estimation range is due to the variety of severity and expression of symptoms; some people have mild symptoms of a neurodevelopmental disorder which may go unnoticed until adulthood. Some people may never even find out that they have an NDD at all, and will simply live with the disorder unbeknownst to them and their loved ones. Treatments for NDDs vary depending on the specific disorder but often include behavioral therapy and medication.
Nicotine
Nicotine is the primary component in tobacco that is responsible for the plant’s physiological effects of humans. When consumed, it releases dopamine which causes mild euphoria for a short period of time. Nicotine can be consumed in a variety of ways, such as cigarettes, cigars, vapes, and chewing tobacco, but all methods share the same risk of addiction. The brevity of the pleasure given by nicotine can cause people to go back for more repeatedly, which often descends quickly into full-on dependency.
Nicotine dependence is prevalent, dangerous, and difficult to escape from. Tobacco, the most common vessel for nicotine, is full of harmful chemicals that can lead to health complications like lung disease, diabetes, or cancer. What’s more, the legality and availability of tobacco in the U.S. makes it very accessible for anyone to start smoking and form a dependence. Attempting to cut off nicotine is difficult because it directly affects the reward centers of the brain to induce cravings for more of itself. Going cold turkey could even bring on symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, which include anxiety and insomnia. Products like nicotine gum are available to help kick the habit of smoking, but can often be less convenient to obtain than the tobacco itself.
Nonbinary
Nonbinary is an umbrella term used to describe gender identities outside of the gender binary of male and female. It is often used synonymously with genderqueer. The identity is generally considered to be under the transgender umbrella, but not all nonbinary people self-identify as transgender. People who identify as nonbinary may also feel that their gender is both male and female or no gender at all. These identities are known as bigender and agender respectively.
Being nonbinary is not a modern concept. Nonbinary people have existed for centuries, with even some religious figures in different cultures being described as neither male nor female. Similarly to other sects of the queer population, the concept of nonbinary gender expression has not recently appeared; instead it has lost the intense stigma associated with it that would prevent nonbinary people from coming out as such.
NSSI
Non-suicidal self injury (NSSI), also known as self-harm, is the intentional damaging of one’s own body with a lack of suicidal intent. Self-harm behavior includes the cutting, burning, or hitting of skin and tissue, and tends to affect the arms, wrists, thighs, and abdomen. NSSI is most often first exhibited between the ages of 12 and 14 and is much more common in sexual minorities.
The reasons behind NSSI vary from person to person. The most common include getting relief from negative thoughts and feelings, finding within themselves some evidence of living through pain, or punishing themselves for their perceived wrongdoings. NSSI is disproportionately associated with mental disorders like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.