Psychological Disability

Definition
Psychiatric disabilities include any mental impairment such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness and specific learning disabilities.

Types of Psychological Disabilities

• Bipolar Affective Disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
• Schizophrenia 
• ADD/ADHD 
• Hyperactivity

Frequently Reported Problems

• Fatigue
• Anxiety 
• Self esteem 
• Restlessness and Agitation 
• Mood swings 
• Excessive emotions 
• Depression 
• Sexual dysfunction
• Lack of motivation
• Difficulty coping 
• Self-centeredness

Attention Deficit Disorder
ADD- with or without Hyperactivity) is a neurological condition which is probably genetic in origin, where the sufferer has a very reduced ability to maintain attention without distraction, has little control of doing or saying something due to impulsivity and lack of appropriate forethought, and, where hyperactivity is also present, no control over the amount of physical activity appropriate to the situation.

Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention difficulties represent one of the most pervasive behavioral disturbances in educational and mental health settings. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that consists of combinations of three primary problems.

Inattention: Children with inattention are described by parents and teachers as not listening, failing to finish tasks, distractible and daydreamers.

Impulsivity: Children with impulsivity are characterized by failing to wait for instructions, making careless errors, taking unnecessary risks and having difficulty delaying gratification.

Hyperactivity: Children with ADHD are often described as always on the go, driven by a motor, can't sit still, squirmy, humming and making noises all the time.

Documentation Required
To receive services from SDS, you must provide the following documentation of your disability:

• A DSM diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist
• Characteristics of the disability
• Functional limitations
• Projected duration
• Medication, including any side effects

Accommodations
Your accommodations will vary according to your individual needs and the documentation provided. SDS will work with you to determine the accommodations most appropriate for you. . Some of the accommodations you may receive if you have a psychiatric disability include:

• Note taker, copy of another student’s notes or recording of lectures
• Extended time on assignments and tests
• A nondistracting, quiet setting for assignments and tests