Mental Illnesses

Mental Illnesses

Many people fear mental illnesses, but the more people learn about them, the less there is to fear. Just like physical illnesses, mental illnesses can take many forms, like: Anxiety disorders: Causes unexpected or unhelpful anxiety that seriously impacts our lives, including how we think, feel, and act. Mood disorders: Cause people to feel intense, prolonged emotions that negatively affect their mental well-being, physical health, relationships and behaviour (i.e. depression and bipolar disorder). Eating disorders: Eating disorders are not just about food. They are often a way to cope with difficult problems or regain a sense of control. They are complicated illnesses that affect a person’s sense of identity, worth, and self-esteem. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: People may experience obsessions, compulsions, or both, and they cause a lot of distress. Phobias and panic disorders: Mental illnesses that cause fear which impacts ability to live day to day life. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Often involves exposure to trauma from single events that involve death or the threat of death or serious injury. PTSD may also be linked to ongoing emotional trauma, such as abuse in a relationship. PTSD impacts thoughts and experiences. Schizophrenia: This complex brain disorder affects a person’s ability to determine what is reality and what is not. People with schizophrenia are affected by delusions, hallucinations (sensory experiences, such as hearing voices talking about them when there is no one there), social withdrawal and disturbed thinking. Sourced from: https://cmha.ca/mental-health/understanding-mental-illness