The Neuropsychiatric Patients' Association of NL (NPA) is a non-profit organization founded in January 2008 by Dr. Hugh Mirolo, Neuropsychiatrist, as an offshoot of the province’s only Neuropsychiatry Clinic. This unique association offers Newfoundland’s neuropsychiatric patients an opportunity to address service deficits in the healthcare system, particularly in the area of neurocognitive rehabil
itation post-brain injury. Many people are not aware that brain injuries can come from a number of different causes, including, but not limited to:
• "concussions" (more correctly referred to as 'mild traumatic brain injury')
• sports injuries (e.g. body checks, falling on ice, snowboarding/skiing accidents, skateboarding accidents),
• motor-vehicle (including moose) accidents,
• whiplash,
• neurotoxicant inhalation (including carbon monoxide poisoning),
• viruses or other infections,
• drowning,
• Lyme disease,
• strokes,
• heart disease,
• genetic conditions,
• chronic use of alcohol/cigarettes/drugs,
• non-fatal su***de attempts,
• physical abuse or fist fights,
• blast injuries (e.g. military),
• and many others. Brain injuries can even come from injuries to the neck, face, chin, and even tailbone, and can occur even if one doesn't specifically remember hitting their head! Brain injuries touch each of our lives to a much greater extent than many of us realize...autism, Huntington's, stroke, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy/seizures, dementia/Alzheimer's, brain tumours, cognitive deficits (i.e. intellectual disabilities), and countless others. The number of people that could be helped by the NPA, with proper resources, is astronomical since Neuropsychiatry covers a surprisingly large number of conditions as alluded to above, and even extends to areas such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, sleep disturbances, anxiety, fibromyalgia, depression/apathy, migraines, PTSD, su***de, addictions, crime, and many more (as these conditions are typically symptoms of an underlying brain injury that many times goes unnoticed). Our reach goes way beyond what's typically referred to as 'mental health' (which usually represents conditions covered by General Psychiatry only), and into an area we prefer to call 'brain health', or even more simply: health. DISCLAIMER:
The information provided on this Web site (i.e. page) is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefor. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider properly licensed to practise medicine or general health care in your jurisdiction concerning any questions you may have regarding any information obtained from this Web site and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or to someone else. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Web site. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet or fitness program. Information obtained on the Web site is not exhaustive and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions or their treatment.
