4. What is Mental Illness? Mental illness is like any other illness. It can manifest itself in many forms, it is commonly misunderstood and it can be treated.
5. Mental Health is : Striking a balance in all aspects of your life- social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental.
6. Statistics 1 in 5 Canadians (close to 6 million) will be affected by mental illness at some time in their lives. Mental health problems often emerge between the ages of 16 and 24. Schizophrenia affects 1% of Canadians Mood disorders affect 10% of Canadians Anxiety disorders affect 12% of Canadians
22. It’s: Biological – linked to disturbances in the brain chemistry Psychological – affects thoughts and emotions Social – affects stress levels and life events
34. Difficult to diagnose and to treatShould not be confused with terms psychopath or sociopath
35. SCHIZOPHRENIA Often starts slowly. When symptoms appear (usually in adolescence or early adulthood) they appear more confusing than serious. We often say, oh they’re just going through a phase! They include: Delusions and hallucinations Lack of motivation Social withdrawal Thought disorders
36. Schizophrenia Symptoms Brain disease Includes psychosis Impacts 1 out of every 100 people. Onset is late teens, early adulthood. Positive Symptoms include : hallucinations delusional thinking Negative symptoms include apathy withdrawal.
37. Mood DisordersMajor Depression Symptoms Affects 5 percent of the general population Sad mood that lasts 2 weeks Loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities Changes in sleep, appetite, decreased energy Thought problems affect concentration, memory, decisions, feelings of guilt, worthlessness Risk of suicide is high Important to differentiate mental health from physical problems Responds well to treatment
38. DEPRESSION Depression becomes an illness when the following feelings are severe, last for several weeks and begin to interfere with daily living. They include: Worthlessness/hopelessness Sleeping more or less than usual Eating more or less than usual Difficulty concentrating Decreased sex drive Avoiding other people Overwhelming sadness or grief Feeling unreasonably guilty
55. What Is Stress? When perceived demands exceed perceived resources.
56. Some myths! People with mental illness are violent and dangerous. People with mental illness are more likely to be the victims, rather than the perpetrators of violence
57. MYTHS People with mental illness are poor and less intelligent. Mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of intelligence, social class or income.
58. MYTHS Mental illness is caused by personalweakness. Mental illness is an illness (just like diabetes is an illness), and it has nothing to do with weakness or lack of will power.
59. MYTHS All mental illness is the same and its rare. MI is a broad classification of disorders and includes: anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, eating disorders and organic brain disorders.