- Acquired Brain Injury
- Is acquired damage to the brain, as a result of external physical force or internal causes, which results in an impairment of cognitive, emotional and/or physical functioning. It is not of a degenerative or congenital nature, but is caused by an external physical force or by internal damage such as anoxia (lack of oxygen), stroke, disease, or tumor. It may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness, which results in impairment of “thinking processes” and physical abilities. These impairments may by either temporary or permanent, and cause partial or total functional disability or psychosocial maladjustment.
- Agency-Sponsored Businesses
- Businesses owned by mental health agencies or hospitals to provide rehabilitation and part-time or full-time employment opportunities for people with serious mental illness.
- Autism
- Is a brain disorder that typically affects a person’s ability to communicate, form relationships with others, and respond appropriately to the environment. Some people with autism are relatively high-functioning, with speech and intelligence intact. Others are mentally retarded, mute, or have serious language delays. For some, autism makes them seem closed off and shut down; others seem locked into repetitive behaviors and rigid patterns of thinking. Some are painfully sensitive to sound, touch, sight or smell.
- Concurrent Disorder
- Is when individuals suffer from both substance abuse and mental illness.
- Dual Diagnosis
- Classifies individuals with a combination of mental retardation and psychiatric and behavioral dysfunction.
- Major Depression or Unipolar Depression
- Marked by persistent depressive thought and mood, accompanied by physical disturbances in sleep, appetite and energy level. Acuity of thought, memory and concentration are also affected. Also can include feelings of pessimism, self-deprecation and delusions of worthlessness.
- Manic-Depression or Bipolar Disorder
- Depressive episodes alternate intermittently with manic ones, marked by heightened energy and mood, sharpened and unusually creative thinking, irritability and increased self-confidence. In full mania, these symptoms progress to grandiose delusions and psychotic, disruptive behavior.
- Mental Health
- The successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity; from early childhood until late life, mental health is the springboard of thinking and communications skills, learning, emotional growth, resilience and self-esteem.
- Mental Illness
- The term that refers collectively to all mental disorders. Mental disorders are health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts and conscious, ritualized, seemingly purposeless acts.
- Panic Disorder
- Marked by sudden attacks of terror and irrational fear, an overwhelming sense of impending doom and bodily symptoms such as racing heartbeat, gasping for air, sweating, weakness, dizziness and feelings of unreality.
- Paranoia
- Is used by mental health specialists to describe suspiciousness or mistrust that is either highly exaggerated or not warranted at all. Simple suspiciousness is not paranoia – not if it is based on past experience or expectations learned from the experience of others. Paranoias can be classified into three main categories – paranoid personality disorder, delusional (paranoid) disorder, and paranoid schizophrenia.
- Personality Disorder
- There are many different personality disorders, and symptoms vary from one personality disorder to another. Generally, personality disorders can be characterized by inflexible and maladaptive behaviors, as well as social difficulties, subjective distress, or problems functioning. Personality disorders can be clustered into three different groupings – odd or eccentric behaviors; dramatic, emotional or erratic behaviors; and anxious or fearful behaviours.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Is a psychological reaction to a traumatic event or events. The symptoms of PTSD fall into three categories. The first is reliving the event in one or more ways, such as flashbacks, recurrent dreams, physical sensations, and illusions. The second category involves a tendency to avoid reminders of the event. Symptoms may include an avoidance of activities, places or people, an avoidance of thoughts or feelings, survivor guilt, loss of interest in daily activities and difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. The third category involves a higher level of arousal and symptoms such as agitation, substance abuse, memory loss, sleep disorders, dizziness, trouble concentrating, and trouble managing anger. PTSD is readily treatable and the person can make a full recovery to normal functioning.
- Schizophrenia
- The most chronic and disabling of the severe mental disorders. Typically develops in the late teens or early twenties. The overt symptoms are hallucinations (hearing voices, seeing visions), delusions (false beliefs about commonly held views of reality) and bizarre thought patterns. These are the positive symptoms that typically lead to psychiatric treatment and hospitalization. Often neglected are the "negative" symptoms - social isolation and withdrawal, blunting of emotional expressiveness, poor communication skills and decreased motivation and self-care. Even with available treatment, most continue to suffer chronically or episodically throughout their lives.
- Supported Employment
- Is a special program designed with a built-in support mechanism to help people with physical, mental or developmental disabilities reach and keep their customized vocational goals and objectives.
|
