Sunday, September 9, 2018

The Importance Of Learning How Mental Illness Affects Families

By William Richardson


While the focus of various mental disorders is on the individual themselves, one doesn't always pay attention to the families. Learning how mental illness affects families is important because it will save one a lot of tears. Even though you love your spouse, it can actually drive you away because you simply don't understand what he or she is going through.

A lot of patients find that they are under control and can continue with their life as per normal. They will have medication to take. They may to go to therapy. Sometimes, it has been dealt with in the early stages. Families will talk about this together. But this is not always the case. It can depend on a number of different factors. Sometimes, families have not shown their full support.

It is a wise idea to take action at the beginning when the person is diagnosed. Usually, there is so much to have to deal with. A lot of individuals will be blaming the parent or the spouse, not intentionally, but simply because this is part of the disorder. Obviously this is hurtful. This can go on forever unless one seeks professional help.

They feel that they are saying all of the right things. However, to the patient, this is just the opposite. For example, they may say they know what this feels like or they should snap out of it. They mean this in good faith, but it doesn't come out that way. The patient will begin to fall further and further down the hole, and this is obviously an issue.

The most important thing a person like this needs is support. In addition to this, it can be so helpful when the support comes from the person who means the most to them. Not having this type of support will create extra stress and anxiety for the individual which will lead to further feelings of doubt and negative self talk.

Most people know how to manage a conflict. Many people have a temper, but they will get a little hot under the collar and they will soon be able to control their feelings. Someone with this type of illness won't know how to deal with it. Many family members take this personally, but this is the worst thing that you can do. It is important to realize that this is not about you as the spouse or parent.

Family members can become exhausted as they are watchful of moods that are set off. They may have an individual in the home who is suicidal. This is obviously hugely worrisome for the family. There are teenagers especially that go through a lot of behaviour which can give families anxieties.

There are practical areas which one has to be aware of in some cases and it can be frustrating. For example, the individual may not be eating. They may be sleeping all day. Often, they will be moody. Obviously it depends on the illness, but a lot of individuals will react in a negative way. It can affect one because they will begin to feel guilty and they need to deal with this.




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