Mental Illness/Disorder
CMHA Niagara is a regional branch of a provincial and national organization both of which have extensive up-to-date resources on Mental Illness and Wellness.
Below you will find brief descriptions of the most common mental illnesses along with any relevant local information. The links provided link to more information on the provincial and national sites as well as any other local resources.
Mental Illness/Disorder |
Recommended Sites |
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Schizophrenia The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario has an office at the Stokes Community Centre at 36 Page Street - Click the link to the right to contact them. |
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Mood Disorders The great majority of depressed people respond to treatment and nearly all who seek treatment will get some relief from their symptoms. Both medication and some forms of counselling or psychotherapy have been demonstrated to be effective. |
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| Anxiety Disorders Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health problems, affecting approximately one in 10 people. Characterized by intense, prolonged bouts of distress or fear, anxiety disorders are more common in women than in men, and are often accompanied by other symptoms such as depression, substance abuse, or physical problems. Anxiety disorders are often treated with drug therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, or a combination of the two. |
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Eating Disorders People with an eating disorder usually work very hard to keep it secret, and find it very difficult to acknowledge that they have a problem. Diagnosis can be difficult, since the symptoms of eating disorders often occur in combination with depression, anxiety and substance abuse. A multi-disciplinary approach is the most effective treatment route. This involves a thorough medical assessment, nutritional guidance, support, medical follow-up, individual, group and family therapy. Because eating disorders have a profound negative impact on all family members, the entire family may need counselling. |
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Concurrent Disorders Concurrent Disorders is a relatively new classification that brings together two previously seperately treated problems. Information about programs and treatment is often listed under alcohol and drug treatment, substance abuse or addiction. Another term for concurrent disorder is comorbidity. In the United States, the terms dual diagnosis, dual disorder, or mentally ill chemical abuser are used to refer to concurrent disorder. In Canada, dual diagnosis usually refers to someone with a mental disorder and a co-occurring developmental disability. (For more information, see Dual Diagnosis below.) |
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| Dual Diagnosis In Canada, "dual diagnosis" usually refers to an individual with a mental illness and a co-occurring developmental disability. An individual with a developmental disability has significantly below average intellectual functioning, which is also accompanied by considerable limitations in their adaptive functioning or life skills. It is generally agreed that individuals with developmental disabilities are three to four times more likely to develop emotional, behavioural and psychiatric difficulties than the general population. |
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Healthy Ontario - Healthy Ontario
Drug and Alcohol Helpline - www.drugandalcoholhelpline.ca
Mental Health Helpline - www.mentalhealthhelpline.ca
Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline - www.opgh.on.ca
Online Mental Health Quiz - CheckUpFromTheNeckUp.ca
