Mental Illness & Disorders

MindWise

Everyone’s health, both physical and mental, varies from time to time and may sometimes cause problems and mean that you experience different symptoms.

A symptom might be a pain or a difficulty with a bodily function - for example someone with a chest infection is likely to find that their breathing is affected causing them some discomfort, whilst someone with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations which may cause them anxiety and problems concentrating.

People with mental illnesses or disorders may experience a wide range of symptoms which can vary in their severity. For example, anxiety may be mild, or so severe that the person affected finds it impossible to concentrate on their work, watch TV, or perhaps will be unable to leave their home for months on end. Other examples of symptoms are difficulty sleeping, feeling hopelessness or guilt, or believing that other people are plotting against you - but as with anxiety, the extent to which different individuals are affected by these symptoms can vary enormously.

People with different illnesses or disorders will have different illness experiences, including;

  • the types of symptoms experienced
  • how daily life and ability to function 'normally' is affected
  • and what types of treatment may be effective.

Symptom clusters

Some people have groups or ‘clusters’ of symptoms which psychiatrists are able to recognise as indicating particular disorders, like schizophrenia or manic depression (otherwise known as bi-polar disorder). These two conditions both involve episodes of psychosis which can result in the person affected losing touch with reality because their thinking or mood has been disturbed. They may hear voices or see, taste or smell things which are not real, or develop strange beliefs, perhaps that they are being pursued by aliens or the mafia.

Or they might experience very high or low moods which have a strong effect on the way they behave. Some people will only ever experience a single ‘psychotic episode’, while others will have recurring periods of problems, perhaps at times of particular stress in their lives.

So, the types of symptoms you are experiencing are important in helping to diagnose the condition you have, and also in establishing the right treatment for a particular condition in order to give you the best chance of a successful recovery.

Useful resources

There are a number of health campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness of...
This is delivered to the general adult population, including those affected by depression...
Libraries NI can provide a free Homecall service to your home if you have significant...
Anxiety can affect anyone at any time, however, students often experience additional...
Our support groups offer a safe space for people aged 18+ to share experiences of anxiety...
AMH New Life Counselling provides high quality counselling services and is part of Action...
The OUR Generation project is a Peace IV funded project that provides a unique...
MindWise is delighted to offer employers an opportunity to train their staff as Mental...
This includes: Raising awareness of depression and Aware NI services at a wide range of...
AMH EveryBODY aims to promote greater understanding and awareness of eating disorders. We...
Mindfulness is a form of meditation with its roots in Buddhism. It helps you develop...
Link & Learns are bite size, topical learning sessions for your employees, delivered...
Tailored activities to support positive mental health and emotional wellbeing. MensSana,...
AMH Works provide specialised mental wellbeing training and consultancy to tackle...
Mood Matters Young People programme is aimed at 14-18 year olds and gives them knowledge...
It is estimated that the overall prevalence of mental health conditions in Northern...
Free access to eBooks, audiobooks and eMagazines - available to download on your device...
Positive Minds for Premature Parents supports families of premature babies to develop and...
Everyone’s mental health and emotional well-being is important and many different issues...
Since 2010 Action Mental Health has been successfully delivering Chronic Pain/Conditions...
The British Red Cross is helping people connect with their local communities, meet new...
MindWise are proud to be the only membership-led mental health organisation in Northern...
CBT involves examining your thoughts, feelings and behaviour patterns, and working out...
Be Mindful is an online course that uses mindfulness techniques like meditation,...
We have a wealth of experience in delivering training and consultancy services to a wide...
This supportive behaviour change programme motivates individuals who are ready to make...
Our team of facilitators have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of Mental...
Advanced Diploma in Mental Health and Wellbeing Coaching This virtual training programme...
Our Talking Therapies Practice offers individuals a range of psychological interventions...
Clinical hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis for the treatment and alleviation of a...
We’ve gathered useful advice, information and help for young people aged 8-25 and those...
A partnership, led by AMH, who worked with 8 leading charities to improve mental health...
WiseTalking is a pilot Talking Therapies service for children and young people who are...
This programme is a six week training programme for groups of adults and focuses on...
This idea is a walk in the park. It really is that simple, post a news item to see how...
You must download the Libby app to continue to access the eMagazine and eNewspaper...
Helping employees become more resilient, by giving them the skills to reframe negative...
AWARE also offers an online support group service. The groups provide an opportunity to...
Action Mental Health is one of the ChatPal Project Team Members working to develop and...
This is aimed at the over 55’s and is delivered to groups in community settings. The...
This is a six-session programme using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) concepts – the...
AMH New Horizons provides a comprehensive programme of specialist training in: Personal...
First aid as we know it is the help given to an injured person before medical treatment...
Stress doesn’t just make you feel bad – it can also be bad for your health. The good news...
A project for men aged 50+ to share skills, socialise and connect with their wider...
AMH Promote provides opportunities for adults with a learning disability to be socially...
This is delivered to expectant mothers & parents of babies under 3 years of age. It...
Counselling is a form of talking therapy that allows you to speak openly about your...
From books and magazines to local history resources, Libraries NI has a host of fabulous...
Back to Life, Back to Normality is a free 12-week mental health programme delivered by...
Well mind is a workshop which focuses on recognising the triggers of stress and the...
Bloom is a UK-wide programme which supports young people’s mental health resilience,...
The Community Care and Support Service is open to individuals over the age of 18 years...
Belfast Resource Centre offers many opportunities including social and leisure activities...
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), developed by Professor Paul Gilbert OBE, is a...
Sourcing and supporting employment opportunities, training and/or voluntary placements...
Supporting veterans at risk of suicide across Northern Ireland. Exposure to line of duty...
Beyond Bricks is Lego® Based Play that uses a 'recovery to discovery' approach to enhance...

Helplines & Web Chats

Samaritans
Action Mental Health
Association for Post-Natal Illness Helpline
Aware NI - Support Groups
Aware NI - Online Support Groups
Mind - Side by Side Online Community