logo
#

Latest news with #mentalhealthawareness

Run for Women brings out hundreds in support of mental health
Run for Women brings out hundreds in support of mental health

CTV News

time2 days ago

  • Health
  • CTV News

Run for Women brings out hundreds in support of mental health

Hundreds of Winnipeggers took to the streets Sunday morning to run in support of women's mental health. Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women, the largest run and walk event dedicated to women's mental heath in the country, is held in multiple cities each year to raise funds and awareness. This was the second year that the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Manitoba and Winnipeg served as the charity partner, a non-profit organization promoting mental health and supporting recovery from mental illness. 'The funds going to women's mental health is so necessary here in Manitoba,' said Stephen Sutherland, fund development manager at CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg. 'It just really, really excites us, but also gives us that hope, that with everything that we do collectively together, we're not only bringing the awareness for women's mental health, but we're providing access, and those funds are really, really critical for that.' Sutherland said that 1,327 people registered with the Winnipeg run, about 400 more than last year, with participants opting for a five- or 10-kilometre route near the Norwood Community Centre. Over $36,200 has been raised for CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg as of Sunday afternoon, according to the event's website. Funds were also raised for wildfire evacuees, with leftover drinks for the runners being donated to evacuees and firefighters. According to the Run for Women's website, women experience depression and anxiety twice as often as men and have a higher likelihood to face barriers to service. The run has raised over $23 million nationwide for local programs since 2013. Donations can be made online.

Is Schizophrenia a Personality Disorder?
Is Schizophrenia a Personality Disorder?

Health Line

time4 days ago

  • Health
  • Health Line

Is Schizophrenia a Personality Disorder?

Key takeaways Schizophrenia is not a personality disorder but rather a type of psychotic disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders under 'schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.' Symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, disorganized motor function, and negative symptoms like decreased self-motivation, diminished emotional expression, decreased speech output, social disinterest, and reduced ability to experience pleasure. Unlike personality disorders, which involve long-standing patterns of interactions that impact behavior, schizophrenia involves altered perceptions of reality. It typically presents with psychotic symptoms in adulthood, during the 20s or later in life, with varying frequency and severity of symptoms and episodes mixed with symptom-free periods. Many symptoms associated with mental health conditions can create social isolation, pressure, and a deterioration of relationships. Stigma and fear of judgment may keep you away from peers. Sometimes, the symptoms you're experiencing may contribute to low emotional expression or decreased ability to experience joy through others. Living with schizophrenia can present a number of these challenges, but it doesn't mean you're living with the rigid, long-term patterns of behavior that accompany a personality disorder. Is schizophrenia a personality disorder? Schizophrenia is not a personality disorder. It's a type of psychotic disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5 th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), under 'schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.' Psychotic disorders involve altered perceptions of reality. These experiences make up the symptoms of psychosis, which are key features in all psychotic disorders. Psychotic symptoms include: hallucinations delusions disorganized thinking disorganized motor function negative symptoms What are negative symptoms? Negative symptoms are those indicating a loss of function. They include: avolition (decreased self-motivation) diminished emotional expression alogia (decreased speech output) asociality (social disinterest) anhedonia (decreased ability to experience pleasure) Symptoms of psychosis are primary features of schizophrenia. To receive a formal diagnosis, you must be experiencing delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized thinking for the majority of a 1-month period. According to the DSM-5-TR, schizophrenia typically presents with psychotic symptoms in adulthood, during your 20's, or later in life, depending on your circumstances. Symptoms can vary in frequency and severity and often come in episodes mixed with periods of time where you have no symptoms at all. Unlike schizophrenia, personality disorders don't have to include a component of psychosis. They're identified by long-standing patterns of behavior that impact how you interact with the world around you. Personality disorder characteristics tend to be more long-term and constant. They're often noticed in childhood and become enduring, rigid patterns of thought and action throughout life. Is schizophrenia a multiple personality disorder? In 2008, a survey from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found the greatest misconception surrounding schizophrenia was that it involved multiple or 'split' personalities. According to the report, 64% of Americans believe this to be true. Schizophrenia isn't a multiple personality disorder, but symptoms of psychosis can make it seem like someone has morphed into a completely different person. Hallucinations, for example, can mean hearing voices or seeing people who aren't actually there. Talking out loud at a hallucination might make it seem like you're talking with another 'self.' Similarly, delusions can change aspects of your personality. You might have been a long-term advocate of something only to suddenly cast it aside, due to delusion. Schizophrenia can make you — and those around you — feel as though your personality shifts during symptom episodes. In schizophrenia, however, you're experiencing psychosis, not dissociation, which is the mechanism underlying dissociative identity disorder (previously known as multiple personality disorder). It is possible, however, to be living with both schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder. What's dissociation? Dissociation is a mental escape mechanism that separates you from reality, often brought on by traumatic experiences. Dissociation is one way your brain tries to protect itself by distancing you from overwhelming memories and circumstances. Schizophrenia vs. schizotypal personality disorder Schizotypal personality disorder is considered a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder. You may have an increased chance of developing this condition if you have a family history of schizophrenia. Despite this link and some overlapping symptoms, these conditions aren't the same. Schizotypal personality disorder in the DSM-5-TR is a Cluster A personality disorder that involves overarching eccentric behaviors and beliefs. Like all personality disorders, schizotypal personality disorder features an inner experience different from cultural norms. It emerges in childhood and contributes to challenges in maintaining close interpersonal relationships. The uncommon behaviors and thoughts in schizotypal personality disorder can be similar to hallucinations and delusions in schizophrenia. Delusions are unwavering beliefs in something that can be proven otherwise. When you're experiencing a delusion, no evidence to the contrary will sway your belief, not even seeing, hearing, or participating in undeniable proof. Schizotypal personality disorder involves nontraditional beliefs; however, they're often related to intangible concepts, like clairvoyance, the paranormal, or superstitions. They're not necessarily rigid or untrue, though they can be. You may also experience unusual sensory perceptions or 'bodily illusions' when living with schizotypal personality disorder. Unlike hallucinations, these sensory distortions involve real stimuli — just misinterpreted. Schizotypal personality disorder symptoms According to the DSM-5-TR, symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder can include: a persistent belief that everything happening is directly related to you magical thinking that influences behavior and decisions preoccupation with paranormal phenomena bodily illusions atypical perceptual experiences uncommon, sometimes metaphorical, speech patterns and thinking paranoid ideation suspiciousness atypical emotional responses (or lack thereof) eccentric behavior unkempt appearance persistent social anxiety even in familiar company Living with schizotypal personality disorder may come with transient or passing psychotic episodes. These reality lapses can last minutes to hours and tend to be in response to stress. If they occur, the DSM-5-TR states they rarely meet the criteria for an additional psychotic disorder diagnosis. Treatment options of schizophrenia vs. schizotypal personality disorder Both schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder are lifelong conditions that can involve psychotherapy and medications to help lessen their impact. Medications may be used for both disorders. You may be prescribed: antipsychotics antidepressants anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medications) The medications your healthcare team recommends will be based on your symptoms, but antipsychotics are considered a first-line treatment approach when psychosis is present. Psychotherapy can also help you cope with a schizophrenia spectrum condition, though research is limited on how effective it is for schizotypal personality disorder. Common therapies include: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group therapy compliance therapy meta-cognitive training mindfulness therapy narrative therapy Coordinated specialty care (CSC) might also make a difference in your quality of life. CSC involves a multidisciplinary support network to help you adjust to living and working with schizophrenia. Delusions and skewed perceptions, however, can make it difficult to recognize the need for treatment when living with schizophrenia or schizotypal personality disorder.

Mother shares postpartum journey to raise awareness during Maternal Mental Health Month
Mother shares postpartum journey to raise awareness during Maternal Mental Health Month

CBS News

time20-05-2025

  • Health
  • CBS News

Mother shares postpartum journey to raise awareness during Maternal Mental Health Month

Maternal Mental Health Month is meant to raise awareness about emotional issues surrounding pregnancy. The research shows about 1 million people suffer from mental health issues during and after pregnancy every year, but only 25% receive treatment. Doctors say this could be potentially dangerous. Jeovany Figueroa finds joy in motherhood with her 2-year-old daughter, but there was a time when she didn't. "It's been a beautiful experience, but also a very difficult one," Figueroa said. Around two months after giving birth, Figueroa said she was crying all the time and having thoughts that would frighten her. CBS Philadelphia "I didn't have the will to do anything, the desire to enjoy anything, everything was sadness," Figueroa said. According to the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, one in five mothers experiences mental health disorders just before or after birth, ranging from depression and anxiety to post-traumatic stress, with a higher risk for Latina and Hispanic women. "We help them understand that none of that is their fault, that they're actually going through some transitions as they're also navigating being a parent," said Karla Cardoza, a licensed marriage and family therapist with Postpartum Support International. CBS Philadelphia Therapists say more people need to be able to recognize when someone needs help for postpartum emotions. "When symptoms are lingering, such as lack of interest, maybe sadness, like just a lot of sadness, crying, having difficulty sleeping, difficulty taking care of themselves, maybe having intrusive thoughts," Cardoza said, "it is important to take action." Figueroa joined a virtual support group and said that connecting with other mothers who understood what she was going through helped. "I understood it was going to be a process," Figueroa said. "There were going to be changes in me, but I'd be OK in the future." Figueroa shares her experience so families know they do not have to suffer alone. Postpartum Support International helps people find the right resources online and in their own communities. Pregnant and postpartum parents can call the PSI helpline for support and resources at 1-800-944-4773.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store