Common Mental Health Disorders

Other disorders:

• Conduct Disorder
• Conversion Disorder
• Delusional Disorder
• Dissociative Disorder
• Dissociative Identity Disorder
• Schizophreniform Disorder
• Trichotillomania

Symptoms & signs of a possible mental health disorder

Symptoms and warning signs can vary depending on the disorder, but here are some common symptoms when dealing with mental illness:

Emotional symptoms:

• Sadness
• Inability to concentrate
• Feeling fear or worry
• Extreme feelings of guilt
• Delusions or hallucinations
• Mood swings
• Inability to cope with stress
• Feeling isolated
• Out of control anger
• Violence
• Thoughts of suicide
• Withdrawal from friends
• Withdrawal from activities

Physical symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Paranoia
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Changes in eating habits
• Changes in libido
• Digestive issues
• Aches and pains
• Headaches

When is it time to get help?

If you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of mental illness, it’s important to seek help. You may require medication and therapy. If you are having thoughts of suicide or repeated thoughts of death and dying – we can help.

If you, or someone you know is considering suicide, for immediate help outside of our office hours, throughout Alberta, please call 211 or one of the following distress lines:

Edmonton:  The Crisis Centre call 780 482 HELP (4357)
Greater Edmonton region: Rural Distress Line at 1-800-232-7288.
Calgary: 403 266 HELP (4357)

Treatment methods for common mental health disorders

Depending on your disorder, there are many proven effective therapeutic methods that will help you to you to lead a fulfilling life. They include:

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach to treatment that focuses on how people’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behaviour and how they perceive themselves.

Mindfulness therapy is an approach to treatment that focuses on how people’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behaviour and how they perceive themselves, others, and the world. The ability to be in the moment, to acknowledge and regulate your emotions helps you to break free from negative thought patterns.

Reality therapy generally believes that individuals choose their behaviour and as a result, are responsible for not only what they are doing, but also how they think and feel. Clients develop the psychological strength to evaluate their own behaviour and acquire more effective behaviour with the support of a warm and accepting counselling environment.

Solution focused therapy views people as inherently strong and resilient, and capable of creating change and discovering solutions to their everyday problem.