Transcript Mental Illness

Mental Illness


Mental illnesses can take many forms, just
as physical illnesses do. Mental illnesses are
still feared and misunderstood by many
people, but the fear will disappear as people
learn more about them. If you, or someone
you know, has a mental illness, there is
good news: all mental illnesses can be
treated.
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 Mental
illness is common. Studies
indicate that in any given year, one
in every five Canadian adults under
age 65 will have a mental health
problem1. Mental illnesses account
for a large percentage of hospital
stays every year. Yet, in spite of the
fact that every Canadian knows
someone who has been, or will be,
affected by mental illness, few
people know very much about it.
 Because
of this stigma, many people
hesitate to get help for a mental
health problem for fear of being
looked down upon.
 Worse, the stigma experienced by
people with a mental illness can be
more destructive than the illness
itself.
The myths of mental illness
People with mental illness are
violent and dangerous. The truth
is that, as a group, mentally ill
people are no more violent than any
other group. In fact, they are far
more likely to be the victims of
violence than to be violent
themselves.
The myths of mental illness
 People
with mental illness are
poor and/or less intelligent. Many
studies show that most mentally ill
people have average or aboveaverage intelligence. Mental illness,
like physical illness, can affect
anyone regardless of intelligence,
social class or income level.
The myths of mental illness
 Mental
illness is caused by a
personal weakness. A mental
illness is not a character flaw. It is an
illness, and it has nothing to do with
being weak or lacking will-power.
Although people with mental illness
can play a big part in their own
recovery, they did not choose to
become ill, and they are not lazy
because they cannot just "snap out
of it."
The myths of mental illness
Mental illness is a single, rare
disorder. Mental illness is not a
single disease but a broad
classification for many disorders.
Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia,
personality disorders, eating
disorders and organic brain disorders
can cause misery, tears and missed
opportunities for thousands of
Canadians.
Mental illness in the media
 People
with mental disorders are,
many times, not described accurately
or realistically in the media. Movies,
television and books often present
people with mental illnesses as
dangerous or unstable. News stories
sometimes highlight mental illness to
create a sensation in a news report,
even if the mental illness is not
relevant to the story.
Depression

Problems and misfortunes are a part of
life. Everyone experiences unhappiness,
and many people may become depressed
temporarily when things don't go as they
would like. Experiences of failure
commonly result in temporary feelings of
worthlessness and self-blame, while
personal losses cause feelings of sadness,
disappointment and emptiness. Such
feelings are normal, and they usually pass
after a short time. This is not the case
with depressive illness.
Bipolar and Manic Depression
People with bipolar disorder, or manic
depressive disorder, experience alternating
mood swings, from emotional highs
(mania) to lows (depression). The
condition can range from mild to severe.
 It is not known what causes bipolar
disorder. Research suggests that people
with the condition have a genetic
disposition. It tends to run in families.
Drug abuse and stressful or traumatic
events may contribute to or trigger
episodes
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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
Overview
 Anxiety
is a normal human emotion
that we all experience. But when
panic and anxiety symptoms escalate
into anxiety attacks and panic
attacks, it may be an anxiety
disorder. Anxiety disorders include
generalized anxiety disorder, social
anxiety, and panic disorder. There is
excellent treatment for anxiety
attacks, as well as panic attack
symptoms, including medication and
psychotherapy.
Psychotic disorders:

Psychotic disorders involve distorted
awareness and thinking. Two of the most
common symptoms of psychotic disorders
are hallucinations -- the experience of
images or sounds that are not real, such
as hearing voices -- and delusions -- false
beliefs that the ill person accepts as true,
despite evidence to the contrary.
Schizophrenia is an example of a
psychotic disorder.
Impulse control and addiction
disorders:
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People with impulse control disorders are
unable to resist urges, or impulses, to
perform acts that could be harmful to
themselves or others. Pyromania (starting
fires), kleptomania (stealing), and
compulsive gambling are examples of
impulse control disorders. Alcohol and
drugs are common objects of addictions.
Often, people with these disorders become
so involved with the objects of their
addiction that they begin to ignore
responsibilities and relationships.
Eating disorders:
 Eating
disorders involve extreme
emotions, attitudes, and behaviors
involving weight and food. Anorexia
nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge
eating disorder are the most
common eating disorders.