Provided are methods for ameliorating a symptom of a neuropsychiatric disorder in a subject. Also provided are methods for ameliorating at least one physical symptom or at least one psychological symptom resulting from tobacco cessation in a subject, methods for ameliorating a symptom of Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive disorder in a subject, methods for ameliorating a symptom of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or other psychotic disorder in a subject, methods for ameliorating a symptom of a depressive disorder in a subject, methods for ameliorating a symptom of bipolar disorder in a subject, methods for ameliorating a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder or other anxiety disorder in a subject, methods for predicting a predisposition to suicide, suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, or a combination thereof in a subject, methods for ameliorating a symptom of a pain disorder in a subject, methods for ameliorating a neurodegenerative disorder in a subject, methods for ameliorating a symptom of traumatic brain injury in a subject, methods for ameliorating a sleep disorder in a subject, and methods for improving cognitive functioning in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods include administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a neuroactive steroid composition comprising pregnenolone (PG), allopregnanolone (ALLO), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), progesterone (PROG), precursors thereof, metabolites thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.