Thursday, September 13, 2018

The Reality Of Coping With Mental Illness In The Family

By Jeffrey Ross


People don't realize how difficult it is to manage someone who is having serious psychological problems. Coping with mental illness in the family is something that one needs to focus on. If you are new to this, then you need to learn about the disorder and what the individual is going through.

This may vary from one person to the next. Some people will display more physical symptoms which can include a change in mood, the loss of appetite, substance abuse and the inability to socialize. Other people will be emotionally affected. This is sometimes worse. Even with medication it can be erratic because it means that the family won't know what to expect.

It is difficult when their spouse or child continues to blame them or makes them feel guilty. It is not easy to tell yourself that this is all about the disorder, especially when you are more of a sensitive person. It is particularly difficult for the parent because one will think they have done something wrong somewhere along the line.

It is not only the individual that needs guidance, but also the family members. In addition to this, it is not just the spouse, but also the kids and the siblings or close friends and extended family who are close to the individual. Without this sort of guidance, the family can begin to drift apart. They will begin to avoid one another and this need not happen.

The same applies to bipolar when a person will be fine one minute, and the next they will be struggling with negative feelings. This will begin to show in their mood. Children of parents who have a disorder such as this will definitely be affected. If they don't receive counseling, they will suffer in the long term. Kids often have the mentality where they begin to blame themselves.

Therapy is the first thing to think about for the individual. There should be sessions organized for the family members as well. It is not only parents or the spouse that one should be thinking of, but one needs to think of the entire family. In the case of a parent, you need to think of the kids who are going to be affected. Siblings will also need to be counselled at a time like this.

Kids can also play the part of the parent when mom or dad can't look after themselves. Divorce or separation often happens when a partner can't take the situation any more. In the case of a single parent, children simply have to take over. They will be the ones to cook the evening meal and to basically take care of their parent. In addition to this, they have to look after themselves as well.

Relationship will especially become strained during the teenage years. There are a lot of hormones flying about. Parents need to offer their support during these times. It is important for them to find out more about what they are going through because this is the best way that they can offer their support and show compassion for them. A teen or child should know that they can come to the parent about anything and just open up.




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