What Is Mental Illness?

Mental illness affects everyone at some time, either through their own experience or that of a family member, friend, or colleague. I believe it would be nearly impossible to find an individual who has not been affected in some way by mental illness. The good news is that more people are sharing their stories of mental health challenges, and so living with mental illness is becoming more mainstream in today's society. Of course, there is still a great deal of stigma surrounding mental illness, but we have now started to take the much-needed steps to treat those who have a mental illness as we would an individual who suffers from a physical illness. What Is Mental Illness? Mental illness is the reduced ability of a person to function effectively over a prolonged period because of: significant levels of distress changes in thinking, mood, or behaviour feelings of isolation, loneliness, and sadness the feeling of being disconnected from people and activities Canadians affected with mental illness may not be able to cope with the simplest aspects of everyday life. They may need help to regain a healthy emotional balance in their lives. Mental illness usually begins during adolescence and young adulthood. However, mental illness can be experienced by people: of all ages of all cultures from all educational levels from all income levels Mental illness is not the same as feeling distressed because of normal reactions to difficult situations, such as: the death of a loved one job loss a romantic breakup a sudden change of circumstance, like: moving to a new area attending a new school going through a divorce Most of us can regain control of our lives after a difficult situation, but those with mental illness feel distressed regularly and may feel powerless to regain control. (Government of Canada, 2020) Risk Factors Many factors cause mental illness. Contributing factors may include: genetics, which is influenced by your family history early life experiences, such as: abuse Trauma stressful life events, such as: financial problems a loved one's death Divorce environmental influences on a fetus, such as exposure to drugs or alcohol your social, economic, and educational status. (Government of Canada, 2020) Symptoms of Mental Illness Mental illness involves changes in thinking, mood, or behaviour, or a combination of these issues. Symptoms include significant distress and an inability to function as needed over an extended period. These symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on the type of mental illness, individual, family, and patient's environment Mental Health Warning Signs eating or sleeping too much or too little abusing alcohol, drugs, or tobacco fighting more with friends and family considering harming yourself or others feeling tired with low or no energy feeling apathetic feeling hopeless or helpless feeling sad or irritable for long periods experiencing excessive amounts of anger, anxiety, confusion, fear, forgetfulness, and worry experiencing extreme mood swings that negatively impact relationships experiencing unexplained physical pain hearing voices or having delusional thoughts withdrawing from other people and social activities being unable to do your daily tasks Stigma and Mental Illness Mental illness is experienced by 1 in 3 Canadians during their lifetime. Many Canadians are affected by it either directly or indirectly through family, friends, or colleagues. Regardless of its prevalence, mental illness and those who have mental illness are victims of a great deal of stigma. Stigma is a strong disapproval that most people have about something, especially when it is unfair. Some of the harmful effects of stigma can include: reluctance to seek help or treatment lack of understanding by family, friends, co-workers, or others fewer opportunities for work, school, or social activities or trouble finding housing bullying, physical violence, or harassment health insurance that doesn't adequately cover your mental illness treatment the belief that you'll never succeed at specific challenges or that you can't improve your situation Fighting the Stigma of Mental Illness Fighting stigma is all about supporting the mental health community. Stereotypes and misinformation about mental illnesses have made it difficult for some people to seek help for treatable issues. However, allies can create safe spaces where people feel comfortable discussing their mental state, seeking treatment, and sharing their stories with others. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can be an ally and advocate for mental health in your community. Let's look at examples of how you can become an ally to someone with a mental illness. Educate Yourself and Others – Fear of mental illness is often rooted in a lack of education and understanding. A common misconception is thinking of mental illness as one thing when, in actuality, different disorders and diseases can range in severity and symptoms, making treatment methods very different. Conduct your research to better understand the basics of some of these conditions by checking out trusted resources like the Government of Canada (Canada.ca) and the World Health Organization (who. int). Ask How You Can Help – When someone is struggling with a mental health problem, it can be difficult for them to ask for help. Eliminate one barrier by reaching out and starting the conversation yourself. A simple question like, “I noticed you’ve been having a hard time lately; what can I do to help?” can create a safe space for someone to talk about their problem and get assistance without needing to seek it out. Listen with Empathy – Another common reason why people avoid disclosing their mental health issues is that they are afraid of judgment and discrimination. Understand that talking about a condition might feel incredibly vulnerable and nerve-wracking for someone else. Let your loved ones know that their voices are being heard by listening closely, not interrupting, and acknowledging that their mental illness does not define them. Be Mindful of Your Words – You never know what someone is going through just by looking at them. Being a mental health ally means being conscious of your language and word choice in a variety of situations and conversations, not just around people who you know have a mental illness. Take Care of Your Own Mental Health – Unfortunately, mental health problems are frequently not taken as seriously as physical health problems. Don’t brush your mental wellness under the rug or write things off as ‘just a bad day.’ By advocating for your mental health and seeking treatment when needed, you help normalize the topic and motivate others to do the same. Share Your Story – Awareness and visibility are essential to making mental health approachable for everyone. While numbers and statistics can be extraordinary evidence, nothing is as powerful as someone’s personal story. By sharing your lived experience, whether it’s with a lifelong severe mental illness or your daily struggles with stress, you open the door for people to see themselves in your story and feel less alone. Get Involved – Mental health is everyone’s concern so you can get involved at every level. From engaging in conversations at home about how mental health is portrayed on a TV show to writing your representatives and advocating for policy changes at the government level, there’s plenty you can do to break down barriers. What is Addiction? Addiction is an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behaviour even though it is causing psychological and physical harm. There is substance addiction and non-substance addiction. Some examples of non-substance addiction include: gambling food technology pornography shopping sex work Alcohol Work drugs Someone with an addiction will continue to misuse the substance or activity despite the harmful effects it has. Risk Factors for Addiction There is a common misconception that addiction is a choice and that people can stop using drugs when they want to. Addiction is complex. People develop addictions because of many reasons, including: events in life, especially trauma and chronic stress environmental factors mental well-being (emotions, thoughts, feelings, and mental illness) genetics and biology The primary indications of addiction are: declining grades or difficulty at school poor performance at work relationship difficulties, which often involve lashing out at people who identify the addiction an inability to stop the unhealthy behaviour or using a substance even though it may be causing health problems or personal problems, such as issues with employment or relationships a noticeable lack of energy in daily activities profound changes in appearance, including weight loss and a noticeable abandonment of hygiene appearing defensive when asked about unhealthy behaviours or substance use Stigma and Addiction Stigma is negative attitudes, beliefs, or behaviours about or towards a group of people because of their situation in life. It includes discrimination, prejudice, judgment, and stereotypes, which can isolate people who have addictions. People who are struggling with addiction, especially those who have substance use disorders, face discrimination and barriers to getting help. Stigma can: lead a person to avoid getting help because they are afraid of judgment or getting in trouble with work, their loved ones, or even the law cause a person to hide their substance misuse or use substances alone affect a person's ability to find housing and jobs, which affects their health and quality of life contribute to people who have a substance use disorder receiving a lower quality of care from the healthcare system when they access services The Three Types of Stigma Self Stigma happens when someone internalizes negative messages about people who have addictions or misuse substances and applies them to themselves can lead to low self-esteem and feelings of shame can cause someone not to access support because they fear being judged or discriminated against can cause someone to hide their addiction or substance use disorder Social Stigma negative attitudes or behaviours towards people who suffer from addictions or misuse of substances or towards their friends and family members negative labels and images in everyday conversation and the media talking about addiction like it's a choice judgment and discrimination from other people can lead to self-stigma and cause harm, such as not reaching out for help or hiding their addictions Structural Stigma policies in health and social services that increase stigma, such as not providing services until addiction or substance misuse is better managed when healthcare providers or first responders do not take people affected by addictions or substance use disorders seriously workplace policies that cause harm and unintentionally encourage people to hide their addictions or prevent them from seeking help (for example: unnecessary drug tests) not connecting people with health or social services because of their addiction or substance misuse and lower quality of care when services are accessed Help End Stigma Take these essential steps to help reduce stigma: do not define any person by their addiction or substance misuse be respectful, compassionate, and caring to those who struggle with addictions or substance use disorders educate your friends and family - pass on facts and challenge stereotypes remember that addictions and substance use disorders are treatable medical conditions, not a choice, and are deserving of care just like any other medical condition be aware of your attitudes and behaviours because they may be influenced by stereotypes, negative stories, and images about people who struggle with addiction and substance use disorders Treatment of Addictions Medicinal advances and progress in diagnosis have helped the medical community develop various ways to manage and resolve addictions. Some methods include: medication-based treatment behavioural therapy and counselling medical devices to treat withdrawal treating related psychological factors, such as depression ongoing care to reduce the risk of relapse Addiction treatment is highly personalized and often requires the support of the individual’s community or family. Resilience in Addiction Recovery Addiction is a chronic condition with a range of psychological and physical effects. Addiction treatment is highly personalized and often requires the support of the individual's community or family. Recovery can take a long time and may be complicated. Each substance or behaviour may require different management techniques. Building resilience is a large part of this recovery process. Here are some ways individuals can strengthen their resilience in addiction recovery: accept change practice self-care change their perspective avoid black-and-white thinking look for a 'silver lining' figure out what they can control affirm their values stay 'in the moment' have a team of supporters Stories of Resilience in Recovery Learning to become more resilient can offer individuals the opportunity to improve their lives, maximizing their potential and success, especially in the process of recovering from addiction and substance use disorders. Let's hear the powerful stories of two individuals who gained resilience from their recovery journey. What is Mental Health? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Mental health is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community" (WHO, 2014) The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) says, "Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood." (CDC, 2021) The Canadian government states, "Mental health is the state of your psychological and emotional well-being. Good mental health allows you to feel, think and act in ways that help you enjoy life and cope with its challenges. Life experiences like family situations can positively or negatively influence this." (Canada.ca, 2020) Talking About Mental Health Factors that Influence Mental Health Stress Stress is a normal human reaction that happens to everyone. The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. When you experience changes or challenges (stressors), your body produces physical and mental responses. That's stress. Stress responses help your body adjust to new situations. We need stress to motivate us to study for a test or to do our best when faced with a challenge, but if we experience stress too often, for too long, or for the wrong reasons, stress can be detrimental to our mental and physical health. The diagram below shows that our performance will not be adequate without stress as we are not engaged enough to do well. Alternatively, our performance is improved with increased stress, but as the diagram shows, too much stress will cause our performance to suffer greatly. With stress, there is a 'sweet spot'. Trauma Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster. Longer-term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. There are three main types of trauma: acute, chronic, and complex. Acute trauma results from a single incident. Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged, such as domestic violence or abuse. Complex trauma is exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature. Grief and Loss Grief is a normal response to a loss during or after a disaster or other traumatic event. Grief can happen in response to the loss of life, as well as to drastic changes to daily routines and ways of life that usually bring us comfort and a feeling of stability. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross developed the Five Stages of Grief Model and became famous after she published her book On Death and Dying in 1969. Kübler-Ross developed her model to describe people with terminal illnesses facing their death. But it was soon adapted as a way of thinking about grief in general. KüblerRoss clarifies that the stages are non-linear – people can experience these aspects of grief at different times, and they do not happen in one particular order. You might not experience all the stages; feelings differ significantly from other bereavements. Denial Feeling numb is expected in the early days after a bereavement. Some people at first carry on as if nothing has happened. Even if we know with our heads that someone has died, it can be hard to believe that someone important is not coming back. It’s also widespread to feel the presence of someone who has died, hear their voice, or even see them. Anger Anger is a natural emotion, and it is sincere after someone dies. Death can seem cruel and unfair, especially when you feel someone has died before their time or you had plans for the future together. It’s also common to feel angry towards the person who has died or angry at ourselves for things we did or didn’t do before their death. Bargaining When we are in pain, it’s sometimes hard to accept that there’s nothing we can do to change things. Bargaining is when we start to make deals with ourselves, or perhaps with God, if you’re religious. We want to believe that we will feel better if we act in particular ways. It’s also common to find ourselves going over and over things that happened in the past and asking a lot of ‘what if’ questions, wishing we could go back and change things in the hope things could have turned out differently. Depression Sadness and longing are what we think of most often when we think about grief. This pain can be very intense and come in waves over many months or years. Life can feel like it no longer holds any meaning, which can be very scary. Acceptance Grief comes in waves, and it can feel like nothing will ever be right again. Gradually, however, most people find that the pain eases, and it is possible to accept what has happened. We may never ‘get over’ the death of someone precious, but we can learn to live again while keeping the memories of those we have lost close to us. Mental Health and Women Mental health is relevant to everyone, so why focus on women? Women are up to 40% more likely than men to develop mental health conditions, according to a new analysis by a clinical psychologist at Oxford University in the UK. There are many reasons for this shocking statistic. Women's unique health issues: reproductive-related symptoms such as premenstrual symptoms, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), miscarriage, stillbirth, pregnancy, postpartum depression and psychosis, and menopause. women are more likely to be victims of violence such as domestic violence, trauma, sexual assault, and sexual abuse. One study shows that the likelihood of abused women experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is seven times higher than for those who have not been used. often, women are socialized to express their feelings in specific ways, not others. This can result in their mental health problems looking different than men’s, which is often categorized by the medical field as “atypical.” For example, women who are depressed report more physical symptoms than men. women are often the primary caregivers in families and can experience stress balancing their roles: mother, employee, boss, friend, daughter, wife, single mom, etc. Consequently, while women may share many health concerns with men, they have unique healthcare needs. Mental Well-being Practices Meditation Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness and achieve a mentally clear, emotionally calm, and stable state. Meditation is practiced in numerous religious traditions. reduces stress controls anxiety promotes emotional health enhances self-awareness lengthens attention span may reduce age-related memory loss can generate kindness improves sleep helps control pain can decrease blood pressure Yoga Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines that originated in ancient India. It aims to control and still the mind, recognizing a detached witness consciousness untouched by the mind and mundane suffering. improves strength, balance, and flexibility helps with back pain relief can ease arthritis symptoms benefits heart health relaxes you, to help you sleep better can give you more energy and brighter moods helps you manage stress connects you with a supportive community promotes better self-care Mindfulness Mindfulness is the essential human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overreact or become overwhelmed by what’s happening around us. While we all naturally possess mindfulness, it’s more readily available to us when we practice daily. Whenever you bring awareness to what you’re directly experiencing via your senses or to your state of mind via your thoughts and emotions, you’re being mindful. And there’s growing research showing that when you train your brain to be mindful, you’re remodelling the physical structure of your brain. The Practice of Hygge Pronounced "hoo-ga," hygge (a noun and adjective) is a Danish concept that cannot be translated into one single word but encompasses a feeling of cozy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life. This national obsession with all things cozy is one reason why Denmark is always at the top of the list of the world's happiest countries despite their infamously miserable winters. If you want to incorporate hygge into your life, try adding some of the following items: a cozy sitting area candles fireplaces pillows and throw blankets homemade sweets, comfort food, and hot drinks a good book and soft music bundling up and going for a walk in nature Mental Health Resilience Anyone can experience mental or emotional health problems — and over a lifetime, many of us will. One in five Canadians lives with mental health or substance misuse. Resilience is important because it gives people the strength to process and overcome hardship. Those lacking resilience get easily overwhelmed and may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Resilient people tap into their strengths and support systems to overcome challenges and solve problems. These tips can help you elevate your mood, become more resilient and enjoy life more. Key Takeaways • Mental illness is the reduced ability of a person to function effectively over a prolonged period because of significant levels of distress, changes in thinking, mood or behaviour, feelings of isolation, loneliness, sadness, and the feeling of being disconnected from people and activities. Most of us can regain control of our lives after a difficult situation, but those with mental illness feel distressed regularly and may feel powerless to regain control. Mental illness is experienced by 1 in 3 Canadians during their lifetime. Regardless of its prevalence, those who have mental illness are victims of a great deal of stigma. Everyone has the power to help fight the stigma of mental illness. • Addiction is an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behaviour even though it is causing psychological and physical harm. Addiction stigma can lead a person to avoid getting help because they are afraid of judgment or getting in trouble with work, their loved ones, or even the law, cause a person to hide their substance misuse or use substances alone, affect a person's ability to find housing and jobs, which affects their health and quality of life, and contribute to people who have a substance use disorder receiving a lower quality of care from the healthcare system when they access services. Many simple steps help reduce the stigma associated with addiction. • According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Mental health is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community." Trauma and grief are emotional responses to a terrible event and can have long-lasting effects. Mental well-being practices, including meditation, yoga, mindfulness, and hygge can help. Anyone can experience mental or emotional health problems — and over a lifetime, many of us will. Resilience is important because it gives people the strength to process and overcome hardship. Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, YOU ARE NOT THE RAIN - Matt Haig Everyone gets sick at some point. A cold, a sore throat, or the flu can make you feel terrible for a few days. But living with an illness long-term can affect every aspect of your life. In this module, we will look at the different types of physical illnesses and disabilities and how they may affect one's resilience. Acute Versus Chronic Illness Acute Illness An acute illness or injury suddenly occurs with a rapid onset. These conditions tend to resolve quickly on their own or with medical treatment. An acute condition might also be so fast-acting and severe enough that the patient won't survive. A heart attack, for example, is generally a rapid onset, short-acting problem that can either result in death or can be stabilized before treating the underlying cause. It's important to remember that acute does not necessarily mean the illness or injury is severe or more likely to be lethal. A broken toe is an acute injury but is unlikely to cause significant or life-threatening complications. Also, an acute illness could rapidly start but pose more annoyance than anything else, like a cold or a headache. Chronic Diseases Chronic diseases are defined broadly as conditions that last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in Canada. Some of the most common chronic diseases in Canada include: Arthritis Cancer* Diabetes Heart disease* Mental illness Stroke* *Cancer, heart disease, and stroke are the three most common chronic diseases in Canada. Primary Risk Factors of Chronic Disease Chronic disease can happen to anyone. The primary risk factors for developing a chronic condition include: tobacco use harmful consumption of alcohol high blood pressure physical inactivity high cholesterol obesity unhealthy diet Chronic Pain Chronic pain is pain that is ongoing and usually lasts longer than six months. This type of pain can continue even after the injury or illness that caused it has healed or gone away. Pain signals remain active in the nervous system for weeks, months, or years. The pain can always be there, or it may come and go. It can happen anywhere in your body. Chronic pain can interfere with your daily activities, such as working, social life, and caring for yourself or others. It can also lead to depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping, which can make your pain worse. Terminal Illness A terminal illness is a disease or condition which can't be cured or adequately treated and is reasonably expected to result in the death of the patient. It's sometimes called a life-limiting illness or an end-stage disease. These terms are more commonly used for progressive diseases such as cancer, dementia, or advanced heart disease than for injury. Coping with a Terminal Illness There's no right or wrong way to feel when a person is told that they have a terminal illness. Patients might feel numb at first and unable to take in the news or feel calm and matter-of-fact about dying. Individuals may experience a range of emotions. It's normal to feel some or all of the following emotions: shock fear anger resentment denial helplessness sadness frustration relief Acceptance People who are experiencing a terminal illness may also feel isolated and alone, even if they have lots of family and friends around them. Patient Advocacy Groups Patient advocacy helps give patients a voice in their medical treatment and keeps them informed about the treatment and procedures provided. Patient advocates explain all that happens on the patient's behalf. They also answer questions and walk patients and their families through potential treatment plans. Patient advocacy groups can also offer knowledge and services that help meet the healthcare industry's need for patient and caregiver input, access, and data. Canadian Patient Safety Institute Established by Health Canada in 2003, the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) works with governments, health organizations, leaders, patients, and healthcare providers to inspire extraordinary patient safety and quality improvement. Its mission is 'to inspire and advance a culture committed to sustained improvement for safer healthcare.' Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society (OA), formed in 2007, is an unbiased organization providing free patient support services in Alberta. Its mission is 'through advocacy, we empower patients and their families to have a voice in their healthcare and seek the help they need.' The Office of the Alberta Health Advocates Established in 2014, the Office of the Alberta Health Advocates comprises the Mental Health Patient Advocate and the Health Advocate. Together, 'they provide a single point of access for Albertans by listening to health service-related concerns and assisting Albertans in finding ways to resolve those concerns.' Physical Disability According to the World Health Organization, 15% of the world’s population (an estimated 1.1 billion people) identify as having some form of disability. This represents the world’s largest minority and the only minority group we can become a member of at any time. More than 6.2 million Canadians—almost 22% of the population in this country—aged 15 years and over are living with some form of disability that affects their level of freedom, independence, and quality of life. The four major types of physical disabilities include sensory, motor, and cognitive disorders. Sensory Disabilities Sensory disabilities affect an individual's senses, such as hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste. The leading causes of sensory disabilities include accidents or injury, genetic factors, illnesses, or environmental factors. Some of the sensory disabilities can be corrected through surgery, while others are long-life disorders. Sensory disorders include blindness and low vision, hearing loss and deafness , deaf-blindness, and sensory processing disorders . Blindness and Low Vision – Low vision is defined as permanent vision loss, which cannot be corrected using glasses and affects daily functioning. People with low vision have permanent loss of sight sensory, hence cannot recognize any object or person when presented with them. Such individuals have difficulties navigating daily life; therefore, they require supportive devices and objects such as a walking cane, a walking dog, and braille for learning. Various factors, including accidents, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, eye defects, tumours, macular degeneration, cataracts, retinitis pigmentosa, and detached retinas, cause blindness and loss of vision. Some eye conditions leading to blindness or low vision are present at or near birth, while others develop later in life. Hearing loss and Deafness – Hearing loss is the loss of hearing senses. Hearing loss disability can range from mild to severe. Individuals with mild or partial hearing loss tend to hear but under some conditions, such as loud sounds or the use of hearing devices. The severity of the hearing loss is presented by total loss of hearing, where an individual has no hearing regardless of how loud the sound is, and the problem cannot be reversed. Hearing loss is caused by several factors such as injury or infection, difficulties during birth, exposure to loud noises, genetic causes, childhood diseases such as measles, rubella, and mumps, damaged auditory nerves, and build-up of fluid due to perforated eardrum caused outer ear blockage. People with hearing loss communicate and can use sign language or speech. However, the use of speech depends on the severity of the disability and the age of onset. Deaf-Blindness – Deaf-blindness is also known as dual sensory loss. This type of sensory disability is characterized by loss of both hearing and seeing. People with double sensory loss have difficulties navigating through day-to-day life as they require assistance to communicate, access, and mobilize information. Unlike hearing loss and vision loss disabilities, dual sensory loss disability is not expected, as only a few percent of people have the disability. Genetic problems, accidents or injuries, congenital disabilities, infections, and diseases such as Usher Syndrome mainly cause double sensory loss. Special care is required to care for individuals with a dual sensory loss disability as they can not carry out daily life activities, including simple communication, which is hard for them. Sensory Processing Disorder – Sensory processing disorder is a disability where an individual has difficulties receiving and responding to information coming in via senses in conditions such as autism. Individuals with sensory processing disorder tend to misinterpret sensory information, and they either overreact to the information, under-respond to information or do not react at all. Day-to-day sounds can be overwhelming or painful to such people, and touch may chafe the skin. Other signs and symptoms of sensory processing disorder include: Difficulty engaging in conversation or play when it comes to children Bump into things as the brain may process the wrong information seen by the eyes Incoordination or seeming clumsy Lack of ability to feel some of their body parts Complain of light being too bright Soft touches feel hard Normal sounds are too loud or irritating Clothing feels itchy or scratchy Sensory processing disorder is prevalent in children but can also be found in adults. Blindness Annie Brady Annie Brady shares her struggles and triumphs as a blind person seeking employment. Annie Brady is a blind singer, activist, writer, and YouTube creator who will give a powerful performance piece that shares her experiences with blindness – the good, the bad, and the empowering. Deafness Rachel Kolb Rhodes Scholar Rachel Kolb, born deaf, shows what is possible through family support and self-belief and proves that what is assumed about you and what you can achieve don't always match up. Rachel Kolb is a Stanford graduate and Rhodes scholar pursuing a Ph.D. in English literature at Emory University. Deaf-Blindness Helen Keller Helen Adams Keller was an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist, and lecturer. Born in West Tuscumbia, Alabama, she lost her sight and hearing after a bout of illness at the age of nineteen months. Let's look at her incredible story of resilience. Sensory Processing Disorder Autism Rosie King is a British creative writer, children's book illustrator, public speaker, and autism advocate. She has featured in a BBC documentary on the subject and is a prominent contributor to the Pablo TV series. She is diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, and in this profile, she shares her unique perspective. Disability Language Etiquette Why is disability language etiquette important? The main point is to ensure respectful communication between all human beings. Treat individuals with disabilities as you would anyone else while making reasonable accommodations. The idea is to make our interactions more effective and make everyone feel comfortable, accepted, and valued in society. Motor Disabilities Motor impairment is the partial or total loss of function of a body part, usually a limb or limbs. This may result in muscle weakness, poor stamina, lack of muscle control, or total paralysis. Motor impairment is often due to traumatic injuries (i.e. spinal cord injury, loss or damage of limbs), diseases, and congenital conditions (i.e. Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Spina Bifida, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Arthritis, and Parkinson's Disease). Ryan Straschnitzki 's story of resilience Ryan Straschnitzki was paralyzed from the chest down when a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team crashed in 2018. Today, he continues to have medical breakthroughs on his road to recovery after having an epidural stimulator implanted in his spine. From tragedy comes a story of resilience. Landon Smith's Story of Resilience A 19-year-old Edmonton-area man was diagnosed with a C5 burst fracture and injury to his spinal cord, which left him a person with quadriplegia paralyzed from his chest down after he jumped into a foam pit at a trampoline park in Sherwood Park, Alberta, in January 2017. Smith also had to be resuscitated when he stopped breathing after the spinal surgery he had three days after the accident. Nick Vujicic's story of Resilience Nick Vujicic was born in Australia to a Serbian immigrant family, with a rare disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs. For most of his childhood, he struggled with depression, and after a suicide attempt, he decided to concentrate on what he did have instead of what he didn't. In 2005, Vujicic founded Life Without Limbs, an international non-profit organization and ministry. In 2007, he founded Attitude is Altitude, a secular motivational speaking company. In 2010, he starred in the short film The Butterfly Circus , and was awarded Best Actor in a Short Film at the Method Fest Independent Film Festival for his starring performance. Adaptive Athletics Adaptive sports are competitive or recreational sports for people with disabilities. Adaptive sports often run parallel to typical sports activities. Adaptive sports began to rehabilitate veterans from World War II, Korea, and the Vietnam War. Through sport, persons with disabilities acquire vital social skills, develop independence, and become empowered to act as change agents. Sport teaches individuals how to communicate effectively and the significance of teamwork, cooperation, and respect for others. The benefits of participating in Adaptive Sports have been reported to: improve quality of life improve mood and well-being increase muscle strength and stamina reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety improve social life and family life The Paralympic Games The Paralympic Games or Paralympics is a periodic series of international multi-sport events involving athletes with a range of physical disabilities, including impaired muscle power (e.g. paraplegia and quadriplegia, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida), impaired passive range of movement, limb deficiency (e.g. amputation or Dysmelia), leg length difference, short stature, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, vision impairment, and intellectual impairment. Winter and Summer Paralympic Games are held almost immediately following the respective Olympic Games. The Paralympics grew from a small gathering of British World War II veterans in 1948 to one of the largest international sporting events by the early 21st century. Paralympians strive for equal treatment with non-disabled Olympic athletes, but there is a significant funding gap between Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Special Olympics Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities, providing year-round training and activities to 5 million participants and Unified Sports partners in 172 countries. The first games were held on July 20, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, with about 1000 athletes from the U.S. and Canada. The most recent World Summer Games were held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from March 14 to 21, 2019. This was the first Special Olympics World Games held in the Middle East. The next World Summer Games will be held in Berlin, Germany, between June 16 to 25, 2023. This will be Germany's first time hosting the Special Olympics World Games. Service Animals Service animals are working animals trained to perform tasks that assist disabled people. Service animals may also be referred to as assistance animals, help animals, or helper animals, depending on the country and the animal's function. Service animals can be instrumental in allowing a disabled person to gain and maintain their independence, control, dignity, and quality of life while living with the challenges of a chronic illness or disability (physical, social, emotional, or intellectual). Service Dogs Dogs are the most common service animals, assisting people in many different ways since at least 1927. The breeds most commonly used as service dogs share the following key characteristics: A desire to work. Your service dog should be happier on a walk or at the dog park than they are lying around at home. A calm demeanor. Your service dog can’t cause disturbances in public or be easily startled by its surroundings. Intelligence. Your service dog has to perform complex tasks that require innate intelligence and sound decision-making. A friendly disposition. Your service dog must be warm and comfortable around people and other animals. A loving disposition. Your service dog must be able to form a solid bond to serve your needs best. Types of Service Dogs Allergy Detection Dogs These dogs are specially trained to detect and alert to the odour of allergens, such as peanuts, gluten, or eggs. Food allergies are on the rise, and some people go into anaphylactic shock from touching even a tiny amount of an allergen. Allergy detection dogs can pick up the scent of a harmful allergen before their person even comes into contact with it. Autism Service Dogs Frequently paired with children, autism service dogs are trained to help people navigate social settings. Many people with autism have trouble reading social cues and forming connections with their peers. Dogs make for the perfect icebreaker and can provide a sense of predictability and comfort for people with autism. Diabetic Alert Dogs These service dogs are specifically trained to alert their person to potentially deadly blood sugar highs (hyperglycemia) and lows (hypoglycemia). When the dog alerts, the partner knows to test their blood and inject insulin or ingest glucose to adjust their levels. Like other service dogs, diabetic-alert dogs give their owners a heightened sense of independence and security. Guide Dogs Perhaps the most commonly known type of service dog, guide dogs, helps blind and low-vision individuals navigate the world. These dogs typically wear a special harness with a handle for their owner to grasp rather than a vest. Unlike other service dogs, guide dogs practice what’s called selective disobedience. This means they obey commands but make choices based on their situation assessment. For example, their partner may command them to cross the street, but the dog will disobey if cars are coming. Hearing Dogs As their name suggests, hearing dogs are trained to assist their deaf and hard-of-hearing partners. When the dog hears a particular cue, it alerts its owner and leads them toward the noise. These cues include smoke or fire alarms, doorbells, door knocking, phones, alarm clocks, and even the person’s name. Like other support dogs, hearing dogs increase their partners’ independence and awareness, both in and out of the home. Mobility Assistance Dogs Many people with disabilities rely on mobility assistance dogs to help them perform everyday tasks. This includes retrieving objects, opening doors, pressing automatic door buttons, and turning on lights. Some mobility assistance dogs are specifically trained to brace partners with balance issues. Bracing dogs must be large enough to support their person and are typically 55plus pounds. Additionally, some mobility assistance dogs specialize in helping owners in wheelchairs. They can help with transfers to chairs, beds, or bathtubs. They may even wear a special harness to help pull their owner’s wheelchair. Psychiatric Service Dogs These companion dogs are specifically trained to help individuals who suffer from things like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They’re able to sense a change in their owner when they’re about to experience negative symptoms, such as an anxiety attack or a flashback. Owning a service dog can force people with depression and anxiety to take care of themselves and get out into the world. Psychiatric service dogs can be a physical barrier between their owner and others, helping preserve their personal space. Support dogs can also help their partner feel more confident when entering their home. Seizure Alert Dogs These service dogs assist individuals before, during, and after a seizure. This includes: Finding help for their person or calling 911 with a K-9 alert phone. Helping their partner regain consciousness after a seizure. Physically moving their person if they have a seizure in an unsafe place. Using deep pressure stimulation to end their partner’s seizure early. Bringing medicine to their person as they come out of a seizure. Resilience Through Art Expression through art has helped many individuals worldwide better cope with the challenges of a chronic illness or disability. Let's look at some examples of how art has enhanced the resilience of people living with the challenges of disease and disability. Sudha Chandran's story of resilience At age 17, Sudha Chandran was a rising star in Bharatanatyam dance. In 1981, she hurt her leg in a road accident, which resulted in her having one of her legs amputated. Despite this tragic event, Sudha Chandran went on to become an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, renowned actress, successful entrepreneur, and Vice Counsellor of the National Association of Disabled Enterprises (NADE) organization with a mission 'to create employment opportunities for the differently-abled section of society and provide them with opportunities for a better life in India.' Folk Artist Maud Lewis Maud Lewis was a Canadian folk artist from Nova Scotia. Lewis suffered from a series of congenital disabilities that left her fingers painfully deformed, her shoulders hunched, and her chin pressed into her chest. She spent most of her adult life poor as a virtual recluse in a cramped one-room house that had no running water or electricity. For more than three decades, the diminutive Lewis eked out a living rendering colourful oil paintings on the most primitive of surfaces, which she sold for a few dollars each. At the age of 67, Lewis — who had suffered lung damage due to constant exposure to paint fumes and wood smoke — contracted pneumonia and died. Lewis remains one of Canada's best-known folk artists; her works and the restored Maud Lewis House are displayed in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. A Maud Lewis painting that was once sold on the side of the road for $2 is most likely valued at $ 135,000 today. Let's watch the trailer for the 2017 award-winning movie about her life. The movie Maudie is available on Netflix if you are interested. Key Takeaways • Chronic diseases are defined broadly as conditions that last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. Chronic pain can interfere with your daily activities, such as working, social life, and caring for yourself or others. It can also lead to depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping, which can make your pain worse. A terminal illness is a disease or condition which can't be cured or adequately treated and is reasonably expected to result in the death of the patient. All three of these types of physical illnesses can negatively affect an individual's mental health. • The four major types of physical disabilities include sensory, motor, and cognitive disorders. Sensory disabilities affect an individual's senses, such as hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste. The leading causes of sensory disabilities include accidents or injury, genetic factors, illnesses, or environmental factors. Some of the sensory disabilities can be corrected through surgery, while others are long-life disorders. Individuals with sensory disorders • For individuals who live with chronic illness, physical disabilities, and sensory disabilities, the challenges of everyday life can be significant. The benefits of participating in adaptive sports have been reported to improve quality of life, mood, and well-being, increase muscle strength and stamina, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improve the social and family lives of individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. Service animals can be instrumental in allowing a disabled person to gain and maintain their independence, control, dignity, and quality of life while living with the challenges of a chronic illness or disability (physical, social, emotional, or intellectual). Disability language etiquette is used to make our interactions more effective and make everyone feel comfortable, accepted, and valued in society. Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. - John Wooden