1. Mental Illness The great misunderstanding within society.

2. What is mental health? Mental health issues affect Canadians of all ages, genders, cultures, educational and income levels. The economic and societal impact of mental illness touches everyone in our country, sparing no one from its touch. Canadian Mental Health Association 3. Mental Health: Alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour Impaired functioning over an extended period of time. 1/5 Canadians under the age of 65 will suffer from a mental health problem Most mental illnesses are chronic, in other words, life-long. However, they are not always active. With treatment and support, the symptoms of mental illness are treatable and the disease can go into remission. 4. Types of Mental Illnesses Anxiety Disorders Concurrent Disorders & Dual Diagnosis Dementia Eating Disorders Mood Disorders Personality Disorders Schizophrenia 5. Anxiety Disorders Generalized Anxiety Disorder Phobias and Panic Disorders Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviour Post-Traumatic Stress Treatment: Counseling, group therapy, and medication 6. Concurrent Disorders & Dual Diagnosis Concurrent Disorders: Mental illness paired with a substance abuse of drugs, alcohol, or gambling 1/3 of people with a mental illness also have a substance use problem 1/3 of people with alcohol dependency also have a psychiatric problem Dual Diagnosis: Someone coping with a developmental disability as well as a mental illness 7. Dementia General decline in a persons mental function Trouble with memory, language, simple calculations, planning and judgment. Can be caused as a result of head injury, low oxygen levels, cardiovascular conditions, or drug/alcohol abuse medical conditions. Treatment: Rehabilitation and supportive care 8. Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa Extreme food reduction with severe weight loss Bulimia Nervosa A cycle of binge eating and purging of food by induced vomiting or through use of laxatives and/or diuretics Binge Eating Cyclical bouts of compulsive eating followed by chronic dieting Treatment: individual and group therapy has been beneficial as well as family therapy 9. Mood Disorders Depression Sever and persistent feelings of worthlessness, self- blame and sadness Treatment: medication and counseling Bipolar Disorder Manic depression Periods of serious depression, then periods of extreme irritability and euphoric highs Treatment: medication and psychotherapy Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Depression that appears to follow a seasonal pattern , typically experienced in the winter Treatment: light therapy, increased exposure sunlight, exercise, antidepressants and counseling 10. Personality Disorders Ongoing irritability, intolerance, suspiciousness, and/or paranoia Chaotic thoughts and emotions Difficulty getting along with others Poor impulse control Treatments: antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and psychotherapy 11. Schizophrenia A lifelong disease that impairs a persons ability to differentiate between what is real and what is not Symptoms usually include psychotic episodes where the person suffers from hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia Affects approximately 1% of the Canadian population Treatment: Medication and counselling Can greatly reduce and possibly avoid psychotic episodes 12. At A Glance: Schizophrenia 13. How is mental illness and physical illness similar/different? Similarities: They are both painful and possibly dangerous to a persons health Many people need to recover using therapists and prescription drugs 14. How is mental illness and physical illness similar/different? Differences: Public Opinion; mental illness seems to be a hush hush situation, people dont want to discuss going to therapists for depression but will happily see a doctor for a broken arm. 15. People are more reluctant to reveal they have a mental illness than to come out as, according to a new study that reaffirms warnings from campaigners that mental illness still faces a persistent social taboo. -Mary OHara, The Guardian 16. Sociological Theories Structural Functionalism: Recognizing mental illness means upholding values of conforming behaviour Symbolic Interactionalism: People with mental illness are treated irresponsibly and are denied access to normal activities These people get socialized into mental patient culture and therefore take on an identity of a mental patient 17. Sociological Theories Conflict Theory: Those who have the least resources in society are more likely to have a mental illness People who have more resources are properly cared for while those who are underprivileged are less likely to receive proper treatment 18. Equality 19. Solving the Problem Educating others about the importance of mental illness Eradicating the taboo aspect of getting mental assistance 20. Mental illness is still quite taboo in our society It is considered normal to attend a therapist or doctor for a physical illness but embarrassing and usually secretive for mental illness Mental illness needs to have a different light so that people can get the help that they need Help the Silent 21. You dont have to be alone; let someone help you. 22. Citation Page What is mental illness?. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/what-is-mental-illness/ O'Hara, M. (2009, Feb 20). News society mental health mental health is strongest taboo, says research. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/feb/20/mental-health-taboo The semi colon project. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://projectsemicolon.org/ Mental illnesses. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=about_mental_illness Phibbs, H. (2011, Nov 3). We need to talk about breaking the mental health taboo. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article- 2055716/Breaking-mental-health-taboo.html Sociological approaches to mental illness. Unpublished raw data, Stockton, Galloway, NJ, Retrieved from www.stockton.edu/~falkd/sociological.ppt 23. Presentation Student: Samantha Roughley Student #: 200267202 Course: GNED2057