Losing a loved one is one of the most distressing experiences people face. Most people experiencing bereavement have a period of sorrow, numbness, and even guilt and anger. Gradually these feelings ease, and it's possible to accept loss and move forward. For some people, feelings of loss are debilitating and don't improve even after time passes. This is known as complicated grief, sometimes called persistent complex bereavement disorder. In complicated grief, painful emotions are so long lasting and severe that you have trouble recovering from the loss and resuming your own life. Complicated grief is like being in an ongoing state of mourning that keeps you from healing and finding peace. Signs and symptoms of complicated grief may include:

• Intense sorrow, pain and rumination over the loss of your loved one
• Focus on little else but your loved one's death
• Extreme focus on reminders of the loved one or excessive avoidance of reminders
• Intense and persistent longing for the deceased
• Difficulty accepting the death
• Feelings of detachment
• Bitterness and anger about the loss of loved one
• Difficultly enjoying life

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that includes a combination of persistent issues, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Adult ADHD can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and more. Symptoms of ADHD start in early childhood and continue into adulthood. In some cases, ADHD is not recognized or diagnosed until the person is an adult. Adult ADHD symptoms may not be as clear as ADHD symptoms in children. In adults, hyperactivity they may have experienced in childhood often decreases, but struggles with impulsiveness, restlessness and difficulty paying attention may continue. Treatment for adult ADHD is like treatment for childhood ADHD including medications, psychological counseling (psychotherapy) and treatment for any mental health conditions that may occur along with ADHD. Adult ADHD symptoms may include:

• Impulsiveness
• Disorganization
• Poor time management skills
• Problems focusing on a task
• Trouble multitasking
• Excessive activity or restlessness
• Poor planning
• Low distress tolerance
• Frequent mood swings
• Challenged with completing tasks
• Easily angered
• Difficulty coping with stress

Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it is a mood disorder that affects how you feel, think and behave. Depression can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal activities, and some individuals feel as if life isn't worth living. More than just a bout of low mood, depression isn't something you can simply "snap out" of. Depression can require long-term treatment. Most people with depression feel better with medication and psychotherapy. Symptoms

• Angry outbursts, persistent sadness, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities.
• Sleep disturbances, including sleeping too much or too little.
• Weight loss or gain.
• Agitation or restlessness
• Is unusually sensitive to light, sound or touch, yet may be indifferent to pain or temperature
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or self-blame
• Trouble concentrating, making decisions and remembering things.
• Recurrent suicidal thoughts
• New physical pain such as back pain or headaches

Excessive, frequent anxiety and worry that are difficult to control and interrupt daily life may be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder. It's possible to develop generalized anxiety disorder as a child or an adult. Generalized anxiety disorder has symptoms that are similar to panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other types of anxiety, but they're all different conditions under the Anxiety umbrella. Living with an anxiety disorder can be challenging. It may occur along with other anxiety or mood disorders. In most cases, generalized anxiety disorder improves with psychotherapy and/or medications. Making lifestyle changes, learning coping skills and using relaxation techniques often help manage symptoms.

• Persistent worrying that is out of proportion to the event.
• Overthinking plans and solutions to all possible worst-case outcomes
• Perceiving situations and events as threatening, even when they aren't
• Indecisiveness and fear of making the wrong decision
• Inability to let go of a worry
• Inability to relax
• Difficulty concentrating

Relationships can be challenging when there are underlying problems like interrupted trust, communication difficulties, and disconnect. What once felt like normal disagreements may spiral into fighting when there are unrepaired ruptures in the relationship. Too often individuals come together with limited tools, often the same ones that they grew up witnessing in their family of origin. They know they want something different for themselves but often aren’t sure the path to get there. Professional help can offer support to get back on track and supply you with better strategies for a thriving relationship. Symptoms

• A sense of disconnect or loneliness in your relationship
• Feeling unsafe emotionally and/or physically
• Thoughts of leaving the relationship
• Feelings of insecurity and lack of trust
• Avoidance and increasing space from one another

Welcoming a new baby is often both a joyous and stressful occasion. This transition period requires a readjustment of priorities, redistribution of responsibilities, increased supports and a lot less sleep. It is normal to feel a range of emotions during this time. For some new parents however the emotional pendulum is swinging too far. Risk factors are higher for parents with less supports, additional life stressors, and a history of mental health challenges however many have none of these at all. Perinatal mental health disorders, which include most commonly post partum depression and/or anxiety, can affect anyone. Professional support can help reduce symptoms and ease the transition during this vulnerable time.

• Feelings of intense overwhelm
• Difficulty taking care of self
• Low mood, periods of unexplained crying and sadness
• Low energy
• Excessive worry and rumination about baby
• Difficulty letting others care for baby
• Feeling like thoughts won’t “turn off”
• Thoughts of self harm and/or negative thoughts about yourself as a parent

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as intrusive thoughts about the event. Most people who go through traumatic events have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time they generally get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may have PTSD. Getting effective treatment after PTSD symptoms develop can be critical to reduce symptoms and improve function. Someone does NOT need to meet all the criteria for PTSD to find support with trauma recovery. Symptoms

• Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
• Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)
• Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event
• Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event
• Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event
• Hopelessness about the future
• Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
• Difficulty maintaining close relationships
• Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
• Trouble sleeping
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior

The way one feels inside their body can influence all aspects of life. Feelings of shame, disconnect and negativity around the body can negatively influence thought patterns and beliefs about the self. Poor body image can lead to unhealthy dietary practices such as use of laxatives, purging, and restriction. An individual struggling with these challenges may spend increasing amounts of time analysing their body, thinking about food and engaging in negative self talk. Professional support can help discover the roots of these thoughts and behaviours and increase positive alternatives.

• Alterations in weight.
• Preoccupation with body image.
• Disruptions in eating patterns.
• Preoccupation with nutrition
• Increase in working out
• Negative impact on life
• Compulsive thoughts
• Negative thoughts about self and body