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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.
There are more than 200 classified forms of mental illness. Some
of the more common disorders are depression, bipolar disorder,
dementia, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. Symptoms may include
changes in mood, personality, personal habits and/or social
withdrawl.
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 a reaction to 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.
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
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-0help 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.
Mental Illness in the Family: Part 1 Recognizing the Warning
Signs & How to Cope is one in a series of pamphlets on helping
family members with mental illness. Other NMHA titles include:
Mental Illness in the Family:Part II Guidelines for
Seeking Care
Mental Illness in the Family: Part III Guidelines
for Hospitalization
NMHA offers additional pamphlets on a variety of mental health
topics. For more information or to order multiple copies of
pamphlets, please call 1-800-969-NMHA
This pamphlet is copyrighted. Permission to reprint must be
obtained from the NMHA
Copyright 1997 Revised 2/00
For More Information:
Contact your local Mental Health Association, community mental
health center, or:
National Mental
Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone 703/684-7722
Fax 703/684-5968
Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA
TTY Line 800/433-5959
Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)
Knowledge Exchange Network
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 13-103
Rockville, MD 20857
Phone 800-789-2647
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone 800-374-2721 or 202-336-5500
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
200 N Glebe Road, Ste. 1015
Arlington, VA 22203-3457
Phone 800-950-6264 or 703-524-7600
American Psychiatric Association
1400 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Phone 888-357-7924
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Information Resources and Inquiries Branch
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7C-02
Rockville, MD 20857
Phone 301-443-4513
NMHA's Campaign for America's Mental Health works to
raise awareness that mental illnesses are common, real and
treatable illnesses and ensure that those most at-risk receive
proper, timely and effective treatment.
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