INTERACTIVE RESOURCE PLATFORM
If you are experiencing an immediate crisis and/or there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please call 911 or call the Distress Line at 780-482-4357 for Edmonton & Area.
Welcome to Active Minds UAlberta's Interactive Resource Platform. The goal of this platform is to provide you with more information on a mental health challenge you or others may be experiencing, as well as tangible resources you can access. The platform is designed to be a user friendly resource that provides users with instant information for resources they can access based on a specific mental health concern. This platform is not meant to replace professional help, and is rather meant to serve as a connection to resources or professional services. Please keep in mind that only an experienced mental health professional can make an actual diagnosis.
THERE ARE AROUND 300 MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS IN THE DSM-5 (DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS)
Some of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder groups are listed below:
MOOD DISORDERS
Mood disorders are a group of mental illnesses that affect how you feel and think about yourself, other people and life in general. There are a few different types of mood disorders such as depression, dysthymic disorder and bipolar disorder.
Some Symptoms:
Changes in appetite
Changes in sleep
Negative self evaluation or grandiose notion of self
Sadness
Easily irritated
Difficulty concentrating
Anhedonia (loss of pleasure)
ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses that are characterized by excessive feelings of anxiety and fear. Some of the different types are; generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder
Some symptoms:
Excessive worring
Restlessness
Muscle tension
Tightening of chest
Fatigue
Racing heart
Sweating
Difficulty concentrating
PERSONALITY DISORDERS
A personality disorder is a way of thinking, feeling and behaving that deviates from the expectations of the culture, causes distress or problems functioning, and lasts over time. Some different types are; obsessive compulsive personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder and dissociate identity disorder.
Some symptoms:
Rigidity and stubbornness
Self destructive behaviour
Shifting self image
Unstable relationships
Explosive anger
Shifting self image
EATING DISORDERS
Eating disorders are a group of mental health illnesses that are characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits. Some examples are; anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
Some symptoms:
Binge eating
Purging
Excessive concern about body weight
Irregular menstrual cycle
Mood changes
PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
Psychotic disorders are a group of mental illnesses that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions and result with the loss in touch with reality. Psychotic disorders involve psychosis, which is characterized by an impaired relationship with reality. People who are experiencing psychosis may have either hallucinations or delusions. The most common psychotic disorder is schizophrenia.
Some symptoms:
Difficulty concentrating
Depressed mood
Anxiety
Suspiciousness
Withdrawal from family and friends
Delusions
Hallucinations
The most common psychotic disorder is schizophrenia
TRAUMA DISORDERS
Trauma disorders cause fear, extreme anxiety, stress, depression, and other negative emotions. They may even cause nightmares and flashbacks. A trauma disorder also affects a person’s behaviours and may cause anger, violent outbursts, social withdrawal, loss of interest in activities, and many other negative repercussions, such as loss of work and relationships. Trauma disorders are manageable and can be overcome with consistent, professional treatment. An example of a well-known trauma disorder is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Examples of trauma include abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, losing a loved one, a car accident, or sexual assault.