The Importance Of Learning How Mental Illness Affects Families

By William Richardson


It is not only the individual who will surfer with a mental disorder, such as depression or anxiety. It is also the family member. This is why it is important to learn how mental illness affects families. Many families will simply try and cope with this on their own. They realize the loved one has issues and they will attempt to be patient, but obviously this is not easy.

Some people don't understand how the loved one can suddenly change. Many people will try and be compassionate and they will make the effort. However, they may also say the wrong things at the same time. It obviously makes the situation worse. It makes the individual feel more depressed or they begin to feel worse about themselves.

There are parents or spouses as well as siblings who just don't understand what depression or anxiety is. They may feel that the individual is being lazy or they are acting like a drama queen. Some people like this don't have the compassion for the person. On the other hand, there are family members who don't manage their loved ones in terms of what they say.

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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