How To Cope With Family Mental Illness

By Marcelina Hardy

Coping with family mental illness is difficult and can take a toll on the family members. Family members can have a hard time understands exactly what is going on with the person who is suffering from mental illness. They may not know what to do or how to act around this person and can become frustrated when their loved one isn't acting as they did once before.

There are many ways you can support a family member that has a severe mental illness. Remember, that you loved this person before they became sick and you can still love this person with their symptoms. It will be hard and there will be days when you question why you continue to try to help but know that you are really lending a hand in treatment. The love and support from you can increase your loved ones chances of recovering.

Knowledge is Power in Family Mental Illness

Knowing about your loved one's illness will help a great deal in understanding symptoms. You may be confused, angry and frustrated with your family member because of actions that have occurred because of the mental illness. Knowing and understanding the symptoms and actions caused by the illness will help make those exhausting and complicating days a little easier.

Listen to Your Loved One with Severe Mental Illness

Many times, these individuals are shunned by society and friends push them away. They are left alone with their thoughts and symptoms. Retreating and seclusion is a common symptom of mental illness so it is important to listen to your loved one. Listening to their feelings, thoughts and what they need help with, will give them an outlet and give them the courage to interact with others.

Engage Your Loved One in Activities

Sufferers want to shut the door on the world and life because they feel that they have been dealt a bad hand. This will add to the symptoms they are experiencing because they are left to sit alone and ruminate about their thoughts and feelings. Engage your loved one with severe mental illness in activities, even if it's just a cup of coffee or a dinner out. It will help them get out of the house and realize that even though they are sick they can live in society.

Take Part in Their Treatment

If your loved one will allow you to attend an appointment, make a point to join your family member with mental illness. This will show that you are supportive and that you care about treatment. It will also provide the healthcare professional some insight other than what he hears from his patient. Sometimes family members can offer much more information than what the patient can provide. Some symptoms cause sufferers to forget about their past and create fictional events. Having a family member to fill in gaps and confirm data can greatly affect the effectiveness of treatment.

Take a Break

Taking care of someone who is sick is difficult. You will be mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted, so it's important to take a break for yourself. The only way to be supportive and helpful to your loved one is if you have the patience and strength to do it. Family mental illness affects the entire family and should be treated together so ask other members of the family for help. If you need support for yourself and feel that you need to speak to others who are dealing with the same thing there are many groups across the nation specifically for family mental illness situations.

Marcelina Hardy is a freelance writer who specializes in Mental Health, Counseling and Self-Help topics. Visit http://WriterMLH.googlepages.com for more information.

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