Mental Health Issues

Mental Health | Substance Abuse | Addiction

Substance abuse and addiction affect not just the addict.   They also affect the spouse and the children.  Courts generally view addiction as a disease and expect the addict to seek treatment.

When there is concern that the substance abuse problem will impact parenting of the children, the parties and/or the court may decide that it is best for the addicted parent to visit the children at a Supervised Access Centre.

Also, the Children’s Aid Society may become involved where there is concern that the mental and physical well-being of the children is being compromised by the parent’s ability to care for the child due to addiction.

Often, there is dispute between parents as to whether or not either or both parties abuses alcohol, drugs, medication or any other substance.     One party may not admit to his or her addiction or may hide his or her addiction, especially where there is a parenting dispute.   One party may deliberately make false accusations  that the other parent has an addiction in order to gain the upper hand in a custody or access dispute.

The court’s main concern is what is in the best interests of the children.  Generally, the court prefers that the children maintain contact with both parents, however there may be conditions placed on contact until the issue of addiction is resolved.

Mahdi Leite Family Law is here to advise and guide you through every step in the most cost-effective and timely manner.

To book a free consultation in Toronto or Mississauga, please call (416) 284-2354 or email us at reception@mlfamilylaw.ca

It is common for a person going through a divorce or breakup to suffer bouts of depression.   The breakup of one’s family is a life-changing event.

It is also common for a person going through a divorce or breakup to seek counselling or request anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication.  Ordinarily, the court is not concerned about a person seeking help during a difficult time.   Seeing a therapist or taking other reasonable steps to deal with depression are usually seen as positive steps.

Where mental health challenges are most relevant is in determining a person’s ability to parent and to earn a living (relevant to child and spousal support).  Like any other illness, it is expected that the person who has a mental health illness will seek treatment – whether that be therapy, medication, or both.

Mahdi Leite Family Law is here to advise and guide you through every step in the most cost-effective and timely manner.

To book a free consultation in Toronto or Mississauga, please call (416) 284-2354 or email us at reception@mlfamilylaw.ca

If it seems too good to be true, it is probably not true.

Narcissists often come across as very charming and sincere.  Often the Narcissist is seen by outsiders as the ideal spouse, and his or spouse is envied for being married to such a wonderful catch.  Sometimes the Narcissist has a hidden substance abuse problem.  Sometimes the Narcissist will make his or her spouse believe that s/he is going crazy.   Whether one is dealing with a Malignant Narcissist, Overt Narcissist or Covert Narcissist, the same reality exists in the relationship:  The Narcissist is self-centred and lacks empathy.   The spouse is always taken by surprise.

A relationship with a Narcissist ordinarily falls into the following pattern –a pattern which may repeat many times:

• love bombing, where you are treated like gold;
• devaluing, where you are treated like garbage, triangulated and gaslighted; and
• discarding, where you are subjected to Narcissistic Rage and set aside – often for someone else with whom the Narcissist will begin the pattern all over again.

Living with a Narcissist is hard.  Separation from or divorcing a Narcissist is harder because of frequent appeals to the spouse’s kind nature, persuasive promises of change and efforts to reconcile.  Determination is required to stand one’s ground and regain normality.

Mahdi Leite Family Law is here to advise and guide you through every step in the most cost-effective and timely manner.

To book a free consultation in Toronto or Mississauga, please call (416) 284-2354 or email us at reception@mlfamilylaw.ca

Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder are very, very hard to live with.  They can fly into a rage with little agitation.  The person with Borderline Personality Disorder has extreme and sometimes inappropriate emotional reactions.  They can act impulsively.  Suicide attempts and suicidal ideation are extremely worrisome.  Living with a person suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder can be like walking on eggshells.

People with Borderline Personal Disorder generally have a history of unstable relationships –   often leading to separation and divorce.

Separating from someone who suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder can be very difficult – especially given the wide swing in emotions and the tendency to swing from idealization to hostility, even aggression.

Special consideration must be given to safe contact, if any, between spouses and with the children.  Supervised access or restraining orders may be required until all matters are settled.

Mahdi Leite Family Law is here to advise and guide you through every step in the most cost-effective and timely manner.

To book a free consultation in Toronto or Mississauga, please call (416) 284-2354 or email us at reception@mlfamilylaw.ca