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Most people believe that mental
disorders are rare and "happen to someone else." In fact, mental
disorders are common and widespread. They can strike anyone at any
time. An estimated 51 million Americans suffer from some form of
mental disorder in a given year. Sharing a home with someone who has a
mental illness may be difficult and stressful. Most families are not
prepared to cope with this situation. It can be physically and
emotionally trying, and can make us feel vulnerable to the opinions
and judgments of others.
If you think you or someone you know
may have a mental or emotional problem, it is important to keep in
mind the following:
- Mental illnesses are real,
recognizable and treatable.
- Early treatment may reduce the
effects of a mental illness.
- There is hope.
- Help is available.
What Is Mental Illness?
A mental illness is a disease that causes mild to severe
disturbances in thought and/or behavior, resulting in an inability to
cope with life's ordinary demands and routines. Mental health
problems may be related to excessive stress due to a particular
situation or series of events. As with cancer, diabetes and heart
disease, mental illnesses are often physical as well as emotional and
psychological. Mental illnesses may be caused by feeling environmental
stresses, genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, or a combination of
these. With proper care and treatment many individuals learn to cope
or recover from a mental illness or emotional disorder. For others, it
may be a lifelong challenge.
There are more than 200 classified
forms of mental illnesses. Some of the more common disorders are:
depression, bipolar disorders, dementias, schizophrenia and anxiety
disorders. Symptoms may include changes in mood, personality, personal
habits and/or social withdrawal.
Warning Signs Of Mental Illness In
Adults Include:
- confused thinking
- prolonged depression (sadness or
irritability)
- feelings of extreme highs and lows
- excessive fears, worries and
anxieties
- social withdrawal
- dramatic changes in eating or
sleeping habits
- strong feelings of anger
- delusions or hallucinations
- growing inability to cope with daily
problems and activities
- suicidal thoughts
- denial of obvious problems
- numerous unexplained physical
ailments
- substance abuse
Warning Signs Of Mental Illness In
Younger Children:
- changes in school performance
- poor grades despite strong efforts
- excessive worry or anxiety (i.e.
refusing to go to bed or school)
- hyperactivity
- persistent nightmares
- persistent disobedience or
aggression
- frequent temper tantrums
Warning Signs Of Mental Illness In
Older Children And Pre-Adolescents:
- substance abuse
- inability to cope with problems and
daily activities
- change in sleeping and/or eating
habits
- excessive complaints of physical
ailments
- defiance of authority, truancy,
theft, and/or vandalism
- intense fear of weight gain
- prolonged negative mood, often
accompanied by poor appetite or thoughts of death
- frequent outbursts of anger
The Shared Experience Of Mental
Illness
Despite the different symptoms and types of mental illnesses, many
families share similar experiences.
Do You Find Yourself:
- Denying the warning signs?
Substance abuse, "growing pains" or menopause, for example, may
mask signs of mental illness. Individuals abusing drugs may be
seeking ways to cope with their mental illness. Repeated visits to a
doctor with complaints of flu-like symptoms, back pain, or colds may
also be symptomatic of an underlying mental illness.
- Worrying about what other people
will think?
Often the warning signs of mental illnesses are ignored because
of the stigma that persists. Some people may face ridicule or
hostility from friends and neighbors. The insensitivity of others
may add to feelings of loneliness and isolation and may stop a
family from seeking help.
- Wondering who's to blame?
Often, knowing what causes an illness helps people to accept the
situation and move on to seeking treatment. With some mental
illnesses, there are no immediate answers or obvious reasons why
someone became ill.
Today, research tells us that many
mental illnesses are caused by a variety of reasons. Find out all you
can about your loved one's illness by reading and talking with mental
health professionals.
How To Cope Day-To-Day
- Handling unusual behavior
The outward signs of a mental illness are often behavioral.
Individuals may be extremely quiet or withdrawn. Conversely, he or
she may burst into tears or have outbursts of anger. Even after
treatment has started, individuals with a mental illness can exhibit
anti-social behaviors.
When in public, these behaviors can be embarrassing and difficult to
accept. Try to be patient and remember that the person probably
cannot control his or her actions. Calmly try and move to a private
location until the episode is over. The next time you and your
family member visit your doctor, discuss these behaviors and develop
a strategy for coping.
- Establishing a support network
If you feel you cannot discuss your situation with friends or
other family members, find a self-help or support group. These
groups provide an opportunity for you to talk to other people who
are experiencing the same type of problems. They can listen and
offer valuable advice.
- Seeking counseling
It is likely that the family member with the mental illness is
seeing a therapist or counselor. Therapy can also be beneficial for
family members. The therapist can suggest ways to cope and better
understand your loved one's illness.
When looking for a therapist, be patient and talk to a few
therapists so you can choose the person that is right for you and
your family. It may take time until you are comfortable with the
therapist, but in the long run you will be glad you sought help.
- Taking time out
It is common for the person with the mental illness to become
the focus of family life. When this happens, other members of the
family may feel ignored, annoyed and resentful. Some may find it
difficult to pursue their own interests.
If you are the caretaker, you may need some time to rest. Schedule
time away before you become frustrated or angry. If you schedule
time for yourself it will help you to keep things in perspective and
you may have more patience and compassion for coping or helping your
loved one.
- You have feelings too
Remember, the burden of caring for a person 24-hours a day can
be exhausting and unpredictable, even frightening. Take time for
yourself, seek respite care and the support and help of family and
friends. Only when you are physically and emotionally healthy can
you help others.
It is not always possible to be patient and giving all the time.
There are times when you may be tired, angry, or resentful. Accept
these feelings and go easy on yourself.
- Inpatient care
There are many reasons why it may be necessary to hospitalize the
family member with a mental illness. Medications may need to be
adjusted under close supervision, or a different course of treatment
may be necessary.
At these times it is not only the individual with the illness who
must make changes, but also the family. Take time to re-focus,
develop a new routine and plan for your loved one's return.
- Don't give up too soon
Recovery from a mental illness takes time, months or even years.
Don't be discouraged by temporary setbacks, and try not to blame
yourself when things go wrong.
Source: National Mental Health
Association
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