A-Z Mental Health Conditions and Topics

Pandemics, disasters (e.g. hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes) and related emergencies cause incredible mental health stress.

This section lists MENTAL HEALTH organizations and services which have special services for times of pandemics, disasters and related emergencies. 

This is NOT a comprehensive listing of all the other types of organizations and services that might be found elsewhere during a disaster, e.g. Red Cross, WHO, etc., but is more focused on mental health services.

"Addictions" refers to problems using drugs or alcohol or other problem behaviours. Gambling can also be addictive and can cause severe financial, emotional, and relationship problems.

Alcohol problems result when a person drinks too much, to the point that it causes problems, such as problems with health, relationships and work. 

We all get angry from time to time. If we deal with anger in a healthy way, it helps us realize that something may be wrong and that perhaps something needs to change. But if our anger gets too severe, and we deal with it in an unhealthy way that causes problems at home, work or school, then it may be time to get some help in dealing with it.

Developmental delay is where a child has slowed or impaired development. Developmental disability where the developmental delay results in problems with intellectual or adaptive function. Many different conditions can cause developmental delay or disability. The term Intellectual Delay/Disability is often used with the same meaning.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention-deficit disorder (ADD) are conditions where individuals have extreme problems with inattention and distractibility, to the point that it causes problems with school, home or relationships. Individuals with ADHD also have hyperactivity (troubles sitting still, fidgeting) and impulsivity (acting without thinking first).

Anxiety is an unpleasant feeling of worry, unease or apprehension. The physical symptoms that accompany these feelings include heart palpitations, trembling, dry mouth, dizziness, nausea and diarrhea. Anxiety may be associated with specific situations, events or objects. In some cases, medical problems can lead to symptoms of anxiety.

Selective mutism is a severe childhood anxiety disorder where a child is ‘mute' (unable to speak) in certain situations such as school. It is ‘selective', because the mutism usually doesn't occur in all situations. In situations where the child feels relaxed, like at home or with close friends and family, the child may be able to speak normally.

Separation anxiety is a type of anxiety where people feel unsafe when separated from person(s) (typically parents or caregivers) or place(s) (typically their home) that help them feel safe. They feel unsafe or not capable of managing when separated from their safe person(s) or place(s). 

Social anxiety disorder (aka social phobia) is a condition where individuals have extreme shyness, to the point where it causes problems in a person's life. While some degree of shyness is normal, individuals with social anxiety have such extreme shyness that it actually causes problems in a person's social life, relationships, school or work. The good news is that there are many specific strategies as well as therapy that can help a person improve their social anxiety. 

Trichotillomania is a condition where individuals feel an irresistible urge to pull their hair. Fortunately, effective treatment exists. These may involve cognitive behaviour therapy and/or medications. Individuals should seek out a family physician or psychologist for help with this condition.

Many terms – including autism spectrum and pervasive developmental disorders – are used to describe a group of disorders that inhibit the development of communication and socialization skills. In some children the disorder may also affect the development of fine and gross motor ability. It may range from being severe on one end, with the severely autistic child who is developmentally delayed and who is unable to function independently, to an individual with Asperger Syndrome who has difficulties with social function but who otherwise functions well intellectually and at work.

Depression is a common yet serious condition. Symptoms include a sad or irritable mood; loss of interest or pleasure; feelings of guilt or low self-esteem; and problems with sleep, appetite, energy and concentration. Depression impairs a person's ability to function at school, work or home. At its worst, depression can lead to thoughts about ending one's life.

Being a new mother can be an overwhelming experience, thanks to sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, and other stresses such as lack of spouse and family support. Fortunately, there are many supports and treatments for overcoming post-partum depression.

Eating disorders are unfortunately all too common in a society that creates unrealistic expectations for body image. Anorexia (anorexia nervosa) is a condition where individuals eat so little that they become malnourished. Symptoms may include loss of menstrual periods, feeling cold, or troubles with mood or thinking. Bulimia is a condition where individuals maintain a somewhat normal weight, but have problems with binging (eating large quantities of food at once) and/or purging (making themselves throw up or vomit).

Trauma refers to events (typically abuse or violence) causing extreme distress and anxiety, whose after-effects can impair individuals. Types of trauma include natural disasters, as well as a range of man-made trauma: physical trauma (being hit or hurt by someone else); emotional trauma (being hurt by someone emotionally, through being bullied, put down, insulted or controlled); sexual trauma (being hurt by someone through sexual abuse or rape); war trauma (experiencing war situations).

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neurologic condition where individuals have problems with obsessions (distressing, repetitive thoughts or images), and/or compulsions (habits that someone is compelled to do over and over again in order to relieve distress).  

An operational stress injury (OSI) is any persistent psychological difficulty resulting from operational duties performed while serving in the Armed Forces or through policing and law enforcement duties.

OSI is used to describe a broad range of issues that include diagnosed medical conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, and other conditions that may interfere with daily functioning.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness where individuals have troubles with perceiving reality, causing severe problems functioning. Schizophrenia is characterized by symptoms of psychosis, which include delusions (strong beliefs that persist despite lack of evidence or evidence to the contrary) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others do not). Note that symptoms of psychosis may be seen in other conditions other than schizophrenia, such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, and various medical conditions.

Suicide is when someone tries to end his or her life on purpose. People think about suicide in an attempt to deal with some problem or stress. Most people who attempt or complete suicide don’t necessarily want to die; rather, they want to escape their overwhelming emotional pain.Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. The good news is that there are always other options.

If you are thinking about suicide, and things have reached a crisis point where you don't think you can keep yourself safe:  

• Call a crisis line
• If you have a doctor, then make an appointment to see him/her.
• Call your local mental health agency in order to see a counselor/therapist 
• Reach out to a family member or friend. Call them and let them know that you have been feeling overwhelmed, and that you could use their support, whether it is just listening or spending some time together. 
• Go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Remember: Although your situation may have tricked you into feeling that you are alone, you are NOT alone. Help is a phone call away... 

If you know know someone who is feeling suicidal, there are many ways to support and get them help

• Help your friend make that telephone call to a crisis line
• Help your friend book an appointment with their doctor, or counselor/therapist 
• Go with your friend to the nearest hospital emergency department 
• Let other trusted friends and family know so that they can be supportive.

Stress is the physical and emotional "wear and tear" that people experience as they cope with their environment, whether at home, work or school. When people's coping abilities are able to meet the expectations or demands placed on them, stress is minimized. When the expectations or demands are too heavy, individuals may become  “stressed out.” The key is to either reduce those expectations or to improve one's coping abilities.

Medications may be helpful for certain mental health conditions. For some conditions, such as mild to moderate anxiety and depression, it is usually best to start with non-medication interventions such as lifestyle strategies and/or psychotherapy. However, if those interventions haven't worked, or if symptoms of anxiety or depression are moderate to severe, then medications could be helpful. For other conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, however,  medications play a much more important role in treatment. 

Abuse is when one person is harmed physically, emotionally or sexually by another person.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a serious medical condition defined as having an infection from the HIV virus as well as problems with one's immune system as a result. Living with AIDS can mean living with a wide range of emotions and psychological stresses that can have an impact on mental health and well-being.

See Eating Disorders including Anorexia and Bulimia

Conduct disorder is a disorder of childhood and adolescence that involves chronic behaviour problems such as defiant, impulsive or antisocial behaviour; drug use; or criminal activity.

Antisocial personality disorder (ASD) is when severe problems with antisocial behaviours are seen in adults.

Psychopathy is used to described those with impaired sense of empathy and remorse, often associated with antisocial behaviours. 

Asperger Syndrome, sometimes referred to as Asperger's disorder, is a neurological condition that affects social and communication skills, and is one of the autism spectrum conditions.

Attachment is the special, close and unique relationship that a child has with parent(s) or caregiver(s), and is the foundation for trust and mental health. Attachment problems can occur for many reasons, and can lead to numerous behavioural and emotional problems. Fortunately, it is never too late to help a child (or adult) with attachment problems, and there are many ways to improve and strengthen a person's attachments.

Auditory processing disorder (APD), also known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), is a condition where a person has normal hearing but the person's brain becomes easily overwhelmed when trying to process sounds, particularly if there is background noise. This can lead to problems with mood, frustration and anxiety.

Misophonia is a condition where people are exquisitely sensitive to certain sounds, reacting with extreme distress, anger and even rage. Misophonia is also known as Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome (“4S”).

Behaviour and conduct problems refer to individuals having troubles with their behaviour, to the point where normal rules or norms are breached and their behaviour causes distress to others. These problems may occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from medical conditions to learning conditions to mood disorders such as depression.

In the classic bipolar disorder, individuals have severe swings in mood, alternating from intense high-energy periods to extreme low periods. Mood swings, particularly in children and youth, may be seen along with many conditions, including mood disorders, attention-deficit disorders, learning disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, and sensory processing and self-regulatory conditions.

Borderline personality disorder describes individuals who have severe difficulties with relationships and severe problems in regulating their moods, which results in dramatic mood swings. This particular diagnosis is not without controversy, but there is no question that individuals with this label endure great distress.

See Eating Disorders including Anorexia and Bulimia

Bullying is a form of aggression where a person is deliberately hurtful to another person. There are many forms, including physical (shoving, hitting, kicking); verbal (put-downs, spreading rumors or gossip); emotional (excluding, tormenting, ridiculing); and social (excluding someone from activities or telling rumors behind someone’s back). Bullying can occur to people of all ages but is particularly harmful to children.

Living with cancer can mean living with a wide range of emotions and psychological stresses that can have an impact on mental health and well-being.

Delirium is a sudden disturbance in a person's thinking that can result in confusion, lack of awareness of one's environment, and disorganized thinking. Delirium is caused by medical issues, and requires prompt treatment by a doctor. 

Dementia is a group of conditions, all of which involve progressive impairment of brain function, with symptoms that include loss of memory and loss of judgment. Alzheimer's dementia is the most common form of dementia.

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) (formerly called dyspraxia) is a condition where individuals have problems with coordination (appearing clumsy and awkward) to the point where it causes them problems at home, at school and everywhere else.  It is important to identify this disorder because there are interventions (i.e. seeing a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, making adjustments at school) that can help.  Children and young people who have this disorder but are not properly identified are at risk of future problems at school, in relationships, and of developing depression and emotional difficulties.

Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, child abuse or intimate partner violence (IPV)) is a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, or between friends or family members.

Down syndrome is a developmental condition with varying degrees of learning and physical disabilities. Children with Down syndrome generally have a very happy, amiable temperament. They are usually able to learn everyday life skills and can be raised at home. Special education and training allow many individuals with Down syndrome to lead happy, useful, and love-filled lives.

Elimination disorders are problems with urine or bowel control, such as encopresis and enuresis.

Encopresis (fecal incontinence) is a problem with having involuntary bowel movements, in a person who should be old enough to have voluntary bowel control. 

Enuresis (urinary incontinence or bedwetting) is a problem with urinating into inappropriate places, either during the day or at night. It can happen voluntarily or involuntarily.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) refers to the whole range of disabilities caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol (when a mother drinks alcohol while pregnant). Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) refers to a specific group of defects to the fetus that result from prenatal alcohol exposure. The usual first step if one suspects fetal alcohol problems is to speak to one's family physician or to the child's pediatrician.

Fire-setting is the deliberate setting of fires. In children and youth who set fires, fire-setting usually occurs due to 1) curiosity and the desire to experiment with fire; or 2) other reasons, such as a cry for help, with the fire-setting as a symptom of an underlying problem such as depression or interpersonal troubles Pathological fire-setting in adults may be due to pyromania, defined as the deliberate setting of fires for pleasure or satisfaction from the relief of tension experienced before the fire-setting.