Understanding Mental Illness

Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County Branch

Our Mission:To enhance and promote the mental health of

all persons and support the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness

in our community through education, prevention, advocacy and services.

Organizational Overview

• Resource Centre & Prevention Services• Community Relations & Fund Development• Work Place Health• Case Management• Housing & Employment Services• On-site clinic

Mental Health

A state of emotional and psychological well-being that affects our ability to meet the demands of life.

Mental health is far more than the absence of mental illness.

Mental Illness/Disorder

• Diagnostic criteria includes symptoms in areas such as mood, thinking behaviour, as well as impairment in functioning and/or significant distress.

• Approximately 20% of individuals will experience a mental illness during their lifetime.

• The economic cost of mental illness in Canada was estimated to be at least 7.331 billion dollars in 1993

Types of Affective/Mood Disorders

• Depression

• Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)

• Seasonal Affective Disorder

• Dysthymia

• Post Partum Depression

Depression: Signs and Symptoms

Mood: depressed, hopeless, unable to experience joy or pleasure

Thoughts: impaired thinking, poor memory & concentration, preoccupied with death & suicide

Self-esteem: preoccupied by shortcomings, worthlessness

Activity: diminished or slowed movements and activities, sleep and appetite disturbances

Depression: Prevalence

• Approximately 8% of adults will experience a major depression at some time in their life.

• During any 12 month period, between 4-5% of the population will experience depression.

• Rates of depression are higher in females. The female to male ratio is approximately 2:1

Bipolar Disorder Signs and Symptoms

• Involves cycles of manic episodes and depressive episodes

• Manic episodes involve a euphoric mood, perhaps an irritable mood, unreasonable optimism, exaggerated sense of importance – perhaps ranging to grandiose or paranoid delusions, accelerated thoughts & speech, increased physical activity, decreased need for sleep and risky or bizarre behaviours.

Bipolar Disorder: Prevalence

• Prevalence rates range from 0.6% to 1% of the population.

• Men and women are equally susceptible. Gender plays a role in the onset and course of the illness.

Types of Anxiety Disorder

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Phobias

• Panic Disorder

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• Post Traumatic Stress

Anxiety Disorders: Signs & SymptomsGeneralized Anxiety Disorder: Severe, chronic, exaggerated worry & tension, inability to relax

Phobia: extreme, irrational fear that leads to avoidance behaviour

Panic Disorder: extreme feelings of anxiety. Symptoms often mistaken for a heart attack. Anticipatory anxiety & avoidance behaviour often develop.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Endless cycles of disturbing thoughts (obsessions) & rituals (compulsions) that significantly interfere with daily life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Signs and Symptoms

• Occurs after exposure to a life threatening event, such as personal assault, a serious accident, a natural disaster or military combat

• Symptoms include re-experiencing or reliving the trauma, avoidance behaviours and heightened arousal

Anxiety Disorders: Prevalence• Prevalence rates for anxiety disorders are about

12% (1 yr prevalence rates) • Women are 2to3 times more likely than men to

suffer from any type of anxiety disorder.• Over 30% of women experience an anxiety

disorder at some time in their life.• Rates of obsessive compulsive disorder are

nearly equal for men and women• Females risk of developing PTSD following a

trauma is twice that of males. Females are also more likely to develop long-term PTSD & have higher rates of co-occurring medical & psychiatric problems.

Psychotic Disorders - Schizophrenia

• Complex brain disorder• It is not a “split personality”• Affects about 1% of the population• Affects men and women equally, but men

tend to develop the illness earlier• Outcome for persons with schizophrenia is

highly variable.

Schizophrenia Signs and Symptoms

• Positive symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking/ speech, grossly disorganized behaviour

• Negative symptoms: lack of emotions or blunted emotions, low motivation, inappropriate social skills or lack of interest in socializing, social isolation

• Cognitive symptoms: slow thinking, difficulty understanding, poor concentration &memory, difficulty expressing thoughts

Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa: deprivation of food, distorted body image. Body weight at least 15% below normal weight.

Bulimia Nervosa: cyclic binge eating followed by purging. Weight is often normal.

Binge Eating Disorder: compulsive overeating without attempting to purge

Eating Disorders: Prevalence

Approximately 3% of women will be affected by an eating disorder during their lifetime.

One-year prevalence rates:

Women – 2.8%

Men – 0.5%

Personality Disorders

• Broad and enduring patterns of thoughts & behaviours that lead to significant difficulties in establishing fulfilling relationships or in leading a productive life.

• Personality disorders affect 6% to 9% of the population

• There are several different types of personality disorders

Borderline Personality Disorder

• Pervasive pattern of instability in emotions, interpersonal relationships, self-image & severe impulsivity

• Often shows recurrent suicidal behaviour or self-mutilating behaviour

• Prevalence – about 2% of the general population

• About 75% of those diagnosed are females

Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of, the rights of others – for example, criminal behaviour, lying, physical aggression, manipulation

• Behaviour patterns being in childhood/ adolescence & continue into adulthood

• Prevalence is about 3% in males & about 1% in females

Suicide

• About 4,000 people die annually in Canada by suicide and many, many more try

• All Canadians are affected by suicide and suicidal behaviour, regardless of age, culture, income or education

• Male/Female ratio = 4:1 complete suicide

• Women attempt more often

Suicide

• Suicidal feelings usually indicate an underlying illness, frequently depression

• Treatment of depression can and does save lives

• Most who die by suicide are not in treatment

• If someone talks about suicide, take it seriously; notify a professional

Casual Factors in Mental Illness

• Mental illnesses are related to a complex interaction of a number of factors:– Genetic factors

– Neurobiological factors (e.g. levels of neurotransmitters in the brain)

– Brain structure of processes

– Environmental factors (e.g. socioeconomic factors, family, exposure to trauma, work

– Physical illness

Factors Related to Gender Differences in Mental Illnesses

• Hormonal Differences

• Socialization

• Social Roles

• Psychosocial Factors

For more information contact: 255-7440

orwww.cmha-wecb.on.ca