Complex mood and sleep disorders involve conditions in which emotional symptoms, sleep disruption, cognition, and physical well-being interact in ways that can be difficult to treat. These disorders are common and often long-standing, affecting millions of individuals worldwide, and are frequently influenced by stress, trauma, medical illness, or brain injury. Importantly, a substantial proportion of patients experience partial response or non-response to standard treatments, such as medications and psychotherapy.
Interventional treatments play an important role when symptoms are severe, recurrent, or treatment-resistant. These approaches target brain circuits involved in mood, sleep, anxiety, and cognition and are used alongside ongoing psychiatric and psychological care. Our program specializes in comprehensive assessment and advanced, evidence-based interventional treatments, as well as access to research studies for individuals with complex or persistent symptoms.
Learn about mental health disorders and the related services we provide
Depression affects approximately 1 in 5 people over their lifetime and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Symptoms commonly include low mood, reduced energy and motivation, sleep disturbance, poor concentration, and loss of interest in daily activities.
While many individuals improve with antidepressants and psychotherapy, 30–40% develop treatment-resistant depression, meaning symptoms persist despite adequate trials of standard treatments. For these individuals, interventional treatments may offer meaningful symptom relief by directly modulating brain networks involved in mood and sleep regulation.
Available treatments:
- Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) → Learn more
- Ketamine-based treatments → Learn more
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) → Learn more
Depression research & clinical trials → View Actively Recruiting Studies
Anxiety disorders affect nearly 25% of individuals at some point in their lives, while PTSD and OCD affect millions globally. These conditions can involve excessive worry, intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, hyperarousal, and significant sleep disturbance.
Although psychotherapy and medications are effective for many, a subset of patients experience chronic or treatment-resistant symptoms, particularly in PTSD and OCD. Interventional treatments may help by targeting overactive fear and threat-processing brain circuits when standard approaches have not been sufficient.
Available treatments:
- Targeted neuromodulation for PTSD and OCD → Learn more
Anxiety, PTSD & OCD research → View studies
Chronic insomnia affects 10–15% of adults, with up to half of the population experiencing sleep difficulties at some point. Sleep disorders often coexist with depression, anxiety, and stress-related conditions and can significantly worsen emotional and cognitive symptoms.
While behavioral strategies and medications are effective for many, some individuals develop persistent or treatment-resistant insomnia. Interventional and brain-based approaches may be helpful when sleep disturbance is severe, long-standing, or tightly linked to mood and anxiety disorders.
Available treatments:
- Integrated sleep and mood treatments → [Learn more]
Sleep disorder research & trials → [View studies]
Mild traumatic brain injury is very common, with millions of cases annually, and up to 30% of individuals experience persistent post-concussive symptoms. These may include headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive difficulties, and mood changes.
When symptoms persist beyond expected recovery and overlap with mood or sleep disorders, standard treatments may be insufficient. Interventional approaches may help address ongoing brain network dysfunction contributing to persistent symptoms.
Available treatments:
- Advanced care for persistent post-concussive symptoms → [Learn more]
mTBI research & clinical trials → [View studies]
Crisis Resources & Harm Reduction (Ontario & Canada)
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, thoughts of self-harm, or a mental health crisis, help is available. You do not have to go through this alone.
Immediate Crisis Support (24/7)
Emergency Services
If there is immediate danger, call 911
Canada Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or text: 988
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across Canada
Talk Suicide Canada
- Phone: 1-833-456-4566
- Text: 45645 (4 PM–12 AM)
Talk Suicide Canada – CMHA Toronto
Learn more.
Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health
Location
30 Bond Street,
Toronto, ON M5B 1W8
St. Michael’s Hospital
17th Floor, Cardinal Carter Wing
Contact Us
Email: aim@unityhealth.to
Phone: 416-864-5418
Fax (Referrals only): 416-864-5480