Jillian’s story of depression, anxiety, PTSD and substance use is a story of pain—and self-discovery. She recognizes her early warning signs and that ignoring or minimizing them means slipping down a rabbit hole of self-loathing and despair. She also accepts that she needs a community around her. With growing insights, Jillian shares with readers seven of her most valuable steps for self-care and recovery.
Author: Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division
Dissociative identity disorder or DID means that people experience two or more distinct parts that make up their whole identity. It’s part of a group of mental illnesses called dissociative disorders.
It seems like everyone has an opinion when it comes to treatments for mental health or substance use problems. To add to the confusion, it isn’t always obvious who is basing their opinions on real evidence and who is not. And while we often hear people talk about evidence-based treatments, it’s also clear that complementary and alternative medicine approaches are helpful for some.
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is an illness that affects people who have experienced a traumatic event like a serious accident, sexual assault or other violent crime, natural disaster, or military combat. PTSD can also affect those who witness a traumatic event or learn that a family member or close friend experienced a traumatic event. PTSD is part of a group of mental illnesses called trauma- and stressor-related disorders.