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Learn the facts about mental health and spread accurate information that helps to decrease stigma and promote understanding. This is especially important because, at its worst, stigma can stop people with mental illnesses from getting the help they need. Learn your family’s medical history. It may be helpful for health-care professionals to know about illnesses and treatments of other family members. Learn about the many community resources available, such as help lines that you can call if you or a loved one is experiencing mental health concerns or substance abuse and dependency problems. Do call before a crisis develops. Learn to take control of your own life and health. Try…

When it comes to mental illness, myths and misinformation abound. When is the last time you heard a “joke” or a wisecrack aimed at someone with a mental illness? The jokes and wisecracks aren’t helpful, but may be our way of dealing with something uncomfortable that, until we face it first hand, we know little about. For example, a new father may not know anything about depression until he watches his wife wade through the dark waters of post-partum depression. Parents of an older teen likely laughed at jokes about schizophrenia until their family was torn apart by their son’s diagnosis. A tight-knit group of co-workers probably never gave bipolar…

There is no single cause for mental illness, and no one is to blame when someone is experiencing a mental illness. Often, it’s a complex interplay of many factors that contribute to a person becoming mentally ill. Mental illnesses are thought to be triggered by: A chemical imbalance in the brain; Genetics; Psychological and social factors such as a traumatic life event. Brain Chemistry A chemical imbalance in the brain is caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters which can lead to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or stress reactions. We are all at-risk for changes in our brains’ chemistry. Recognizing these changes is an important part of treatment and the…

Changes in mood and/or behaviour that are troubling or persist beyond two weeks should always prompt an evaluation by a doctor. Your family doctor is a good place to start, as he or she can rule out any physical causes for changes in mood or behaviour and refer you to a mental health professional. Symptoms can vary with each type of mental illness and each individual. The following are some common symptoms to watch for: Confused thoughts, delusions, and/or hallucinations; Extreme fears or anxiety that seem “out of proportion” to circumstances or events; Lack of motivation for a prolonged period of time (more than two weeks); Persistent feelings of helplessness…

Suicide is something that is often difficult to talk about openly, yet it is more common than many people think. Those with a serious physical or mental illness, those who are using alcohol or drugs, or those who are experiencing a loss or major life change are most likely to attempt suicide. The circumstances that can lead someone to take their own life are varied, but all people who consider suicide feel that life is unbearable. They sense extreme hopelessness, helplessness, and desperation. By learning about and paying attention to warning signs, even if it means asking uncomfortable or embarrassing questions, loved ones can help prevent a suicide and help access…

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are disorders that interfere with the learning process because they reduce the ability to pay attention. It is important to understand that ADD and ADHD are not disabilities in the learning process, although they may be present in addition to a learning disability. A learning disability is a neurological condition that affects a person’s ability to learn. ADD and ADHD are two of the most common mental disorders that develop in children. These disorders can cause impaired functioning in multiple settings, including in homes, schools, and relationships with peers. If one person in a family is diagnosed with ADHD, there is…

Six-hundred thousand Canadians have an alcohol dependency, and another 200,000 have problems with illicit drug use. Dependency on tobacco and prescription medications are also a mental health concern. Symptoms: Increased tolerance for alcohol or other substance (perhaps needing increased amounts to achieve the same effect); Withdrawal symptoms, taking alcohol or drugs in larger amounts than intended or over a longer time period than intended; Persistent desire to decrease, or the inability to decrease, the amount of alcohol or drugs consumed; Spending a great deal of time attempting to acquire the substance; Continuing to use the substance even though the person knows there are reoccurring physical or psychological problems being caused by…

There are approximately 11 different personality disorders, each with a different medical name and specific symptoms. Some deviations may be quite mild and interfere little with the individual’s home or work life, while others may cause great disruption in both the family and society. Specific situations or events trigger the behaviours of a personality disorder. Symptoms: Difficulty getting along with people. May be irritable, demanding, hostile, fearful, or manipulative; Patterns of behaviour deviate markedly from society’s expectations and remain consistent over time; Disorder affects thought, emotion, interpersonal relationships, and impulse control; The pattern is inflexible and occurs across a broad range of situations. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)This is one example…

Contrary to what some believe, schizophrenia is not a “split personality,” but is a brain disease and one of the most serious mental illnesses in Canada. It’s also relatively common, affecting approximately one percent of the population. Schizophrenia symptoms usually appear first in the late teens or twenties. People with schizophrenia experience severe symptoms of mixed-up thoughts or delusions and bizarre behaviour (Psychosis). Symptoms: There are different types of schizophrenia, each with particular symptoms. In general, the following are some characteristics of schizophrenia: Hallucinations (something a person sees, hears, smells, or feels that no one else can see, hear, smell, or feel).  “Voices” are the most common type of hallucination…

Eating disorders are most common in men and women under the age of 30, but can occur in any age group or gender. Eating disorders are characterized by a serious disturbance in eating behaviour (either eating too much or too little). Anorexia NervosaAnorexia Nervosa is one of the most common eating disorders. This serious illness involves drastic weight loss due to fasting and may be accompanied by excessive exercise. Symptoms: Resistance to maintaining body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height; Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight; Disturbance in the way in which one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue…