“They just kept blaming it down to the ADHD, anxiety, depression, (and) diagnosed me with something called functional neurological disorder,” explained Elodie Hraynyk.
For over two years, Hraynyk tirelessly advocated for herself, seeking to convince healthcare professionals to look deeper into her condition. Finally, her persistence paid off and she received the correct diagnosis.
Her story exemplifies both resilience and the critical importance of self-advocacy when navigating systemic healthcare gaps and early intervention.
Diagnosed with anxiety and depression at the age of 12, she navigated a complex journey of misdiagnoses, therapeutic interventions and mounting frustration with medical professionals who failed to connect her symptoms to an accurate cause.
“From 12 to 16, I did the psychotherapy, I did the medications battling back and forth with multiple different doctors, and finally I got a diagnosis of ADHD at 16,” she shared.
But her struggles didn’t stop there.
Shortly after her ADHD diagnosis, Hraynyk began experiencing seizures. Instead of undergoing the necessary tests, doctors attributed these episodes to her pre-existing diagnoses of anxiety, depression and ADHD.
Hraynyk’s experience reflects a broader systemic issue.
In Canada misdiagnosis rates for psychiatric disorders in primary care can range from 66 per cent to 98 per cent, according to a study by National Library of Medicine.
This is due to a number of factors, including, diagnostic inaccuracy, under-diagnosis or over-diagnosis.
These challenges are further highlighted by a 2024 report by the World Health Organization, which states that nearly 16 per cent of preventable harm across health systems stems from diagnosis errors.
Such statistics emphasize why seeking second opinions and comprehensive evaluations is crucial.
A 2016 report, Measuring Patient Harm in Canadian Hospitals, by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, found that one in every 18 hospitalizations in Canada results in harm to the patient.
Akauh Frempong, a nursing program coordinator at City Health Clinic, emphasizes the importance of obtaining second opinions, noting how this can prevent the long-term impacts of delayed or incorrect treatment.
The significance of early intervention cannot be overstated. According to Mental Health Management Group, decades of research show that early intervention has been crucial in improving outcomes for many major physical non-communicable diseases, leading to increased survival rates and better outcomes in conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Frempong emphasized this point, stating that in Hraynyk’s case it would have more positively impacted her quality of life.
Yet, Hraynyk maintains a philosophical perspective about her journey. “It sounds cliché, but everything happens for a reason,” she reflected.
“I think I would be a very different person and I hope it would have helped if I did have that opportunity, but I didn’t.”
Despite her own challenging path, she finds joy in seeing others receive earlier intervention and achieve faster progress in their recovery.
Family support played a crucial role in Hraynyk’s journey. “I’m one of the lucky ones who has a close relationship with my mom and dad and was able to ask for help,” she acknowledged.
This familial involvement is vital, yet statistics from the National Children’s Mental Health Report Card reveal that while 87 per cent of concerned parents seek professional help for their child’s mental health, many delay taking action – 43 per cent wait over a year, and 22 per cent wait more than two years.
This underscores the importance of recognizing mental health warning signs and seeking professional help promptly.
Looking back, Hraynyk shared her story about how mental health affected her daily life.
“For a period, I would socially withdraw. I wouldn’t go out, wouldn’t talk to anyone, even at school. Other times, it looked like lashing out, picking fights, getting angry. Depression made me feel like I deserved to be isolated or disliked.”
The physical signs include fidgeting, no eye contact and stuttering. Hraynyk said, “On the outside, someone might look fine, but inside, their thoughts are racing at a thousand miles per hour.”
However, she emphasized that symptoms vary significantly between individuals.
“They’re not the same for everyone, It depends on the types of episodes or the the mood waves that people go through,” she shared.
The scope of mental health challenges in Canada is significant. According to the Government of Canada, approximately 5 million Canadians aged 15 and older reported significant mental illness symptoms in a 2022 survey.
The trend shows a concerning increase since 2012, particularly among young women aged 15 to 24, where generalized anxiety disorder has tripled and major depressive episodes have doubled.
The rise in social phobia is particularly striking – among young women, rates have increased fourfold, from 6.1 per cent in 2002 to 24.7 per cent in 2022.
However, there is hope and help available. Durham Region provides various support services, including Durham Mental Health Services, Support Coordination and Counselling.
For Durham College students specifically, both in-person and online mental health resources are readily accessible at the Campus Health and Wellness Centre. Heather Bickle, a Wellness Coach at the Centre and host of WellPod, emphasizes the transformative power of early intervention.
“Early intervention can be a really beautiful pathway to gain some understanding of the physical or psychological symptoms you are feeling,” Bickle shared.
She also said accessing resources early can reduce the negative impacts of mental health challenges by opening doors to services and tools that help individuals better understand and articulate their experiences.
Bickle also highlights the critical role of self-advocacy in navigating the healthcare system.
“Finding that empowerment to speak up when you think something is wrong is really important,” she said.
She reminds individuals that doctors, though knowledgeable, are human beings and may not immediately know what is happening inside someone’s body.
In her role as a podcast host, alongside Craig Black, a learning specialist for anatomy and physiology at the Student Academic Learning Centre, Bickle creates a platform to discuss wellness openly. Their podcast, WellPod, aims to foster dialogue about what it means to be well.
For those hesitant about approaching medical professionals, Bickle suggests recognizing that they’re just fellow human beings. She encourages individuals to share their concerns, no matter how minor or unusual they might seem, as this transparency can lead to better understanding and care.
“If you are struggling, make sure that you ask for help,” Hraynyk said.
Hraynyk’s journey serves as a powerful testament to the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare. Her story underscores the need for healthcare professionals to adopt comprehensive, patient-centred approaches while encouraging individuals to trust their instincts about their health.