Caregiving to the Mentally Ill

Mental illness can take its toll on family members and caregivers. That's why it's important to know what you can – and can't – do. Knowing what to expect – of your loved one, yourself, and others – can go a long way toward helping you be there when your loved ones need you most.

HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR LOVED ONE

If someone you love is diagnosed with a mental illness, how can your family help? Your family should work together with the person who is ill and the team of mental healthcare professionals. Learn all you can about the illness; understanding can help you cope. Take things slowly, step by step. The speed of progress is not as important as the direction.

As people begin to get better, it is important to prevent a relapse (recurrence of a psychotic episode), since a relapse can be demoralizing for everyone involved.

To help maintain the recovery process:

Identify reasonable goals that are obtainable in the near future. Setting expectations too high sets everyone up for stress and failure. Encourage and recognize progress, even if it is less than what was hoped for. Goals for some people may be taking a course at school or part-time volunteer work; for others, getting out of bed or coming to the dinner table is an accomplishment.

Learn to reduce stress. The sorts of stress that most people handle every day may have much more impact on someone who is ill. Stress can make people with mental illness vulnerable to relapse.

Talk to each other and to the healthcare team. Communication is important if you're going to work together.

Be encouraging and supportive. A critical, overinvolved, or overprotective attitude may be threatening to people who are ill and may undermine their confidence.

Learn problem-solving techniques. It's important that people be able to solve their own problems. However, you can all work together to identify problems and possible solutions.

Be sensitive. Avoid comparisons to friends, colleagues, or family members. Other people's success at work, school, or in their social lives may only emphasize how far behind people are who are ill.

Encourage compliance in taking medication. Families should encourage loved ones to follow the clinician's instructions regarding their medication. Without nagging or criticism, you can help them remember to take their medication by pointing out how much they have accomplished.

Avoid relapse by knowing the early signs. If you notice your loved one losing interest in things, becoming increasingly depressed, having difficulty concentrating, withdrawing socially, having difficulty making decisions, having sleep problems, feeling overcommitted or overexpansive, or if you notice other feelings or actions unique to your loved one, call the clinician immediately. Getting professional help early enough may prevent a relapse.

HOW YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF

Caring for someone with mental illness can take a lot of energy. Juggling schedules. Making and keeping medical appointments. Keeping track of medications. It can be a day-in, day-out grind ...without a day off. As the days fill up, it's important to remember to schedule some time for yourself. Make time to relax and re-energize...de-stress...and take care of yourself.

Here are some simple steps you can take to recharge –

Call a friend

Go for a long walk

Exercise

Curl up with a book

Rent a favorite video

Take a hot bath

Have a massage

Write a letter

Listen to your favorite music

Or just do whatever makes you feel good

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