Mental Health Disorders
A Mental Health Disorder is a behavioural, emotional or cognitive pattern of functioning in an individual that is associated with distress, suffering, or impairment in one or more areas of life – such as school, work, or social and family interactions.
Mental health disorders can occur at any age. Each type of disorder has its own specific pattern of symptoms and levels of severity. Some people may experience a sudden onset of symptoms, while others will notice a gradual development.
From: Children's Mental Health Ontario, 2011
As well as general resources that address Mental Health issues, this section also covers the following mental health disorders:
Information for caregivers :
British Columbia
British Columbia Division, CMHA
The F.O.R.C.E.: Families organised for recognition and care equality, Society for Kid's Mental Health
Here to Help: Mental health and substance use information you can trust
Site available in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese Persian-Farsi-Dari, French, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Japanese Vietnamese as well as English
Ministry of Children & Family Development, Child & Youth Mental Health
Psychosis Sucks, Fraser Health Early Psychosis Intervention Program (EPI) –
Selected resources are also available in Chinese, Deustch, Hindi, Korean, and Punjabi.
Ontario
Across Boundaries is a mental health centre that provides a range of support and services to people of color in the Greater Toronto Area who are experiencing severe mental health problems/serious mental illness. We employ a holistic approach to mental health care and operate within an anti-racism framework.
Anishnawbe Health Toronto - Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal People in spirit, mind, emotion and body by providing Traditional Healing within a multi-disciplinary health care model.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Children's Mental Health Ontario
Hong Fook Mental Health Association is a community organization serving the Greater Toronto area. We provide leadership in promoting the mental health of people in the Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese communities. Hong Fook helps people keep mentally healthy and manage mental illness. We achieve our mission through service, education, advocacy and research in a supportive environment. The website is translated into the languages of these communities.
mens sana, Latin for health mind, offers services both directly to people with mental health needs and to their families and support networks. In offering those services, we always endeavour to make the individual's needs the focus of our care.
Ontario Division CMHA
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Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders are a group of disorders that are characterized by an excessive and persistent sense of apprehension with physical symptoms such as sweating, palpitations, and feelings of stress. Anxiety disorders may be due to a combination of biological and environmental causes and personal circumstances. It is common for people to suffer from more than one anxiety disorder; and for an anxiety disorder to be accompanied by depression, eating disorders or substance abuse. Anxiety disorders can also coexist with physical disorders, in which case the physical condition should also be treated.
Anxiety disorders include: Generalized anxiety disorder, Obsessive compulsive disorder, Panic disorder, Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Social anxiety, Childhood anxiety, specific fears and phobias and others. Treatments usually involve combining drug therapy with cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) or desensitization therapy. Therapies are used to help reduce the symptoms of the disorders.
Adapted from: Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada, 2007 and Canadian Mental Health Association, Anxiety Disorders, 2011
Information for caregivers :
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Depression
Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or eating patterns, low energy or being tired, poor concentration, physical aches and pains and may involve thoughts of death or suicide. These problems can become long-term or come back and lead to interference with an individual's ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. Depression occurs in persons of all genders, ages, and backgrounds and affects an estimated one in five Canadians.
There are different types of depression. All types can range from mild to severe and can be treated. Depression is the major cause disability in Canada, the high rate of suicide in youth and is a major problem in older adults and those with other chronic conditions.
People with Bi-polar Disorder or manic-depressive disorder, experience alternating mood swings, from emotional highs (mania) to lows (depression). Bi-polar disorder is classified as a Mood Disorder (see below).
From: World Health Organization - Depression, 2011 and Canadian Mental Health Association - Bi-polar Disorder, 2011
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is often characterized by despondency, emotional instability, anger, guilt, tearfulness, worrying, anxious thoughts or images, feelings of inadequacy and the inability to cope. It may occur shortly after the arrival of a new baby or many months later. For some women, symptoms may begin in pregnancy.
From: Pacific Post Partum Support Society, 2010
Information for caregivers :
Canada-wide
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
Centre for Suicide Prevention
Children & Depression, Canadian Mental Health Association, 2011
Depression, Canadian Mental Health Association, 2011
Depressive Illness: An Information Guide, Help for partners and families, 2009
Depression in Older Adults: A guide for seniors and their families, 2009
Depression in the Workplace, Canadian Mental Health Association, 2011
FAME for Families, 2008, (Family Association for Mental Health Everywhere) offers support to families where any mental illness is an issue by providing education, resources, and coping strategies.
Mental Illness in the Family, 2011, CMHA
Pacific Post Partum Support Society, 2010
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety: A Self Help Guide for Mothers, 2010
Order form
Post Partum Depression, Canadian Mental Health Association, 2011
Support for Families, Mood Disorders Society of Canada, 1999
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Mood Disorders
Mood Disorders are a group of disorders which affect the mood of individuals. Depression is the most common mood disorder. Bipolar Disorder or manic depressive disorder and Seasonal Affective Disorder are other forms of mood disorders. People with mood disorders suffer from severe or long periods where their mood issues disrupt their daily lives. In classifying and diagnosing mood disorders, doctors determine if the mood disorder is unipolar or bipolar. When only one extreme in mood (the depressed state) is experienced, this condition is called unipolar.
People with Bi-polar Disorder or manic depressive disorder, experience alternating mood swings, from emotional highs (mania) to lows (depression). It is not known what causes bipolar disorder. The condition tends to run in families. Drug abuse and stressful or traumatic events may contribute to or trigger episodes. Symptoms of a manic phase may include: feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism, exaggerated self-esteem; rapid speech, racing thoughts; decreased need for sleep; extreme irritability; and, impulsive and potentially reckless behaviour. Symptoms of the depression phase are the same as those described under "Depression."
From: Canadian Mental Health Association, Mood Disorders, 2011 and
Canadian Mental Health Association - Bi-polar Disorder, 2011
Information for caregivers :
Canada-wide
Bi-polar Affective Disorder: A Guide to Recovery, the Organization for Bipolar Affective Disorder – a 58 page document, available to read online, or download in English and in French.
Bi-polar Disorder, Canadian Mental Health Association, 2011
Bipolar Disorder: An Information Guide, Help for families, 2009, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
FAME for Families (Family Association for Mental Health Everywhere) offers support to families where any mental illness is an issue by providing education, resources, and coping strategies.
Mental Illness in the Family, 2011, CMHA
Mood Disorders: Help for partners and families, 2009, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Support for Families, Mood Disorders Society of Canada, 1999
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Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disturbances in thinking and withdrawal from social contact due to biochemical imbalances in the brain.
From: What is Schizophrenia? Schizophrenia Society of Canada
Information for caregivers :
Prince Edward Island
Schizophrenia Society of Prince Edward Island
P.O. Box 25020
Charlottetown, PE C1A 9N4
Tel: (902) 368-5850
Fax: (902) 368-5467
E-mail: schizophreniapei@pei.aibn.com
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