Understanding Mental Health
What is Depression
Depression is a feeling that some people get once in a while, a feeling of hopelessness, mood swings, worthlessness, sadness, disappointment and emptiness. However, severe or prolonged depression is treatable; it is considered a mood disorder and should be referred to a counselor, therapist or someone in the helping field.
Depression affects everyone, all races, all cultures and all social classes.
What causes Depression
No one knows what causes depression. Some of the factors are specific,
- Like distressing life events
- Traumas
- Chemical imbalance in the brain
- Environmental and psychological factors
- Negative or pessimistic view of life
- Alcoholism and drug abuse
- Financial stress
There have been studies that have shown that families with a history of depression are more likely to experience it.
For more information log on to 'My Peace of Mind - A New State of Awareness in Depression and Anxiety' website: www.mypeaceofmind.ca/flash.htm.
What is Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is an illness in which people have mood swings that are out of proportion with what is going on in there lives. The person experiences emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression), often with periods of normal moods in between.
Bipolar disorder usually begins in the late teens early twenties. There is no known cure for bipolar disorder, but it can be managed with medication and support.
Bipolar disorder is found all over the world – in all races, all cultures and in all social classes. It affects 1 in every 100 people worldwide and occurs in men and women with equal frequency.
What causes Bipolar Disorder
The causes of bipolar disorder are not yet completely understood. It does tend to run in families, but is NOT caused by bad parenting or by poverty.
Research has shown that people with bipolar disorder have an unstable pattern of nerve impulses in the brain. This problem makes them more sensitive to emotional and physical stress (e.g., an upsetting life experience, use of street drugs, lack of sleep). The normal mechanisms for restoring calm functioning in the brain don't always work properly.
For more information log on to 'The Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia' website: www.mdabc.ca
Another great resource is 'BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information': www.heretohelp.bc.ca
What is Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a disease that affects a person’s thinking, emotions and sensory perception (e.g., vision or hearing). These symptoms make it difficult for the person to tell what is real from what is not real.
Schizophrenia most often strikes young people between the ages of 16 and 30. There is no known cure for schizophrenia, but it can be managed with medication and support.
Schizophrenia is found all over the world – in all races, all cultures and in all social classes. It affects 1 in every 100 people worldwide and occurs in men and women with equal frequency.
What causes Schizophrenia
The causes of schizophrenia are not yet completely understood. Research has shown that people with schizophrenia have an imbalance in their neurotransmitters – the chemicals that allow brain cells to communicate. Most medications for schizophrenia work through balancing these neurotransmitters.
Schizophrenia is not caused by bad parenting or poverty. Use of street drugs or alcohol can make the symptoms of schizophrenia worse.
For more information log on to 'British Columbia Schizophrenia Society' website: www.bcss.org
What is Psychosis
Psychosis may be regarded as a symptom of other mental illnesses, but as a descriptive concept, it is not considered an illness in its own right. For example, persons with schizophrenia can have long periods without psychosis, and persons with bipolar disorder and depression can have mood symptoms without psychosis.
Psychosis can occur in persons without chronic mental illness, because of an adverse drug reaction or extreme stress. Although it is not exclusively linked to any particular mental or physical state, it is associated with;
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
- Severe clinical depression
- Drug intoxication
- Withdrawal
Psychotic states occurring after drug use may be particularly linked to;
- Drug overdose
- Chronic drug use
- Drug withdrawal
Certain ingredients may be more likely to induce psychosis and some individuals may show greater sensitivity than others may. Street drugs, such as cocaine, hallucinogens and crystal meth can be linked to the development of psychosis.
Some signs of Psychosis
- Hallucinations - May occur in any of the five senses and take on almost any form, which may include simple sensations (such as lights, colors, tastes, smells) to more meaningful experiences such as seeing and interacting with fully formed animals and people, hearing voices and complex tactile sensations.
- Thought Disorder - Affected persons may show pressure of speech (speaking incessantly and quickly), derailment or flight of ideas (switching topic mid-sentence or inappropriately), thought blocking, and rhyming or punning.
- Personality Changes - Changes in person’s normal behaviour’s like mood swings, sleep disturbance, personal hygiene, losing touch with reality and talking to themselves.
- Lack of Insight - One important and puzzling feature of psychosis is usually an accompanying lack of insight into the unusual, strange, or bizarre nature of the person's experience or behavior.
What is Dual Diagnosis or Concurrent Disorders
Dual Diagnosis is when a person has a chemical dependency coupled with a mental health disorder or a serious psychiatric illness. For more information please check out their website.
Web: www.vch.ca/community/ddp_index.htm
Dual Diagnosis Program - Outpatient program for individuals with a mental illness who have a substance abuse problem. Services include assessment, referral, group treatment, and limited individual counseling. Provides linkage for clients between alcohol/drug and mental health programs.
Phone: 604-255-9843
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Many sex workers suffer from a psychological disorder known as Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of repeated traumatic events. Childhood sexual abuse can also cause Complex PTSD and these experiences can worsen their symptoms.
Symptoms of Complex PTSD include:
1. Re-experiencing the trauma
2. Persistent avoidance
3. Increased arousal
The first symptom is caused when traumatic events are vividly recalled by the individual. These intense memories often produce the same results of heightened fear and agitation as were caused by the original trauma. Sometimes memories appear in the form of vivid nightmares, night terrors or vivid waking "flash-backs".
The second way that symptoms are produced is by persistent avoidance. The individual makes a conscious or even an unconscious choice to avoid situations and thoughts that may remind them of the original trauma. Unconscious avoidance can manifest in partial or total amnesia. This avoidance can lead to a diminished interest in activities that used to give pleasure, detachment from other people, restricted range of feelings, and a sad affect that leads to the view that the future will be shortened.
The third way that symptoms are produced is by an increased state of arousal of the affected person. These arousal symptoms include sleep disturbances, irritability, outbursts of anger, difficulty concentrating, increased vigilance, and an exaggerated startle response when shocked.
PTSD Clinic – Team of mental health professionals who provide assessments, limited individual therapy including medication recommendations and different kinds of group therapy.
Phone: 604-875-4111 local 68352
The following websites provide information about health issues and the provincial health care system, such as primary health care, the Medical Services Plan and Pharmacare.
Vancouver Community Mental Health Services
Mental Health Teams are designated agencies that are responsible for looking into reports of suspected abuse and neglect of adults who cannot seek help for themselves.
Grandview-Woodlands Mental Health Team
Address: 300-2250 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-251-2264
Kitsilano-Fairview Mental Health Team
Address: 400-1212 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-736-2881
Midtown Mental Health Team
Address: 3rd Floor-2450 Ontario St., Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-872-8441
Northeast Mental Health Team
Address: 2610 Victoria Dr., Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-253-5353
South Mental Health Team
Address: 220-1200 West 73rd Ave. (West Wing), Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-266-6124
Strathcona Mental Health Team
Address: 330 Heatley Ave, Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-243-4401
West End Mental Health Team
Address: 1555 Robson St., Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-687-7994
West Side Mental Health Team
Address: 200-4088 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-873-6733
Mental Health Drop-ins and Support
ARA (Mental Health Action Research and Advocacy) - Advocates for people with mental illness, addressing issues including income assistance, tenancy, employment, education, medical/dental, appeals and tribunals, and substance abuse. Provides outreach to consumers living in the Downtown Eastside and other points in Greater Vancouver.
Phone: 604-689-7938
Web: www.aramentalhealth.org
Kettle Friendship Society - Serves individuals with a mental health disability. Provides advocacy, drop-in, employment prep, housing services, outreach and referrals.
Address: 1725 Venables St., Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-251-2801
Web: www.thekettle.ca
Living Room Activity/Drop-in Centre - A resource for adults in the DTES who have serious mental illness. Offers a safe environment and a range of structured and unstructured programs, including computer and camera clubs, meditation, skills development and education groups.
Address: 528 Powell St., Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-255-7026
Coast Foundation Society - The society offers a number of different services for people living with mental health issues such as individual support, housing, showers, laundry and affordable lunches. There are many other services that Coast provides for further information, check out their website.
Address: East 11 Ave, Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-872-3502 Ext. 293
Web: www.coastfoundation.com
