Are you concerned about your own mental health or about someone you know?
John was always an introverted guy, but lately his friends and family noticed that he was staying in his room all the time and talking less when he was around people. He also seemed to be struggling just to get to school on time, which would end up every morning with his mother yelling at him to hurry up and get in the shower and then frantically driving him to school to arrive late to class. His parents were concerned but just felt that he was being a difficult teenager. But eventually they started to notice some more alarming changes; he wasn't taking care of his hygiene; he missed an important race at a track meet because he simply didn't get to the starting blocks when his event was called. His parents were concerned and tried to talk to him, but he would hardly communicate with them and when he did he would tell them that they were the problem. What his family and friends didn't know at the time was that John was developing signs of a mental illness called psychosis.
Often early warning signs of a mood disorder and/or psychosis are mistaken for the behavior of a teen that is troubled. These signs include:
- Changes in sleep or eating habits
- Trouble concentrating
- Racing thoughts
- Withdrawal from family/friends
- Changes in hygiene habits
- Suspiciousness of others
- Extreme changes or swings in mood such as irritability, depression and extreme elation
When someone is experiencing psychosis they may show or experience the following:
- Hearing voices or seeing things/people that others do not
- Have thoughts and beliefs about the world around them that seem extreme and illogical
- Feeling fearful or paranoid about others or their surroundings
- Disorganized thinking and behaviours ie. Trouble concentrating, maintaining daily routines and responsibilities, walking or talking strangely
If you would like to talk to someone about your concerns about someone you know, you can be referred to our Family Matters Program or our Early Intervention Program by giving us a call at 416-486-8046 (1-888-486-8236) or email info@mooddisorders.ca.
If you are looking for support for yourself please call our TIPS line at 416-486-8046 or email info@mooddisorders.ca or check out some of the resources below.
More information about early intervention for psychosis and mood disorders can be found on the following websites:
www.torontoearlypsychosis.com
www.earlypsychosis.com
www.psychosissucks.ca
Peer Support
We offer a regular drop-in peer support group in Toronto for young people who are living with a mood disorder. Check out our youth and young adult peer support groups listed below.
Online Tools
We also have some helpful online tools, thanks to our friends at www.mindyourmind.ca. These tools can help you find help, learn more about counselling or therapy, prepare a crisis plan and even bust your stress.
Getting Started: Finding a counsellor or therapist, what to expect, what to do if you’re in crisis…and lots of other great topics.
Coping Kit: Walking you through ways to be prepared when hard times hit.
Busting Stress with Squish'em: A great game for tackling stress and anxiety...squish'em!
