-
Step 1
Mental illness is not a joke, I do tend to be humorous in my writing but I will not take this topic lightly. It effects many people in society but no one has a harder time dealing with mental illness than the person themselves and their families. Mental illness can come in many forms. It is one of those topics that unless you know someone personally people avoid talking about it. Which is logical. It isn’t a pleasant topic to talk about or think about. We all just hope that we will never have to go through it or watch other we love do so. However, many do.
The first and probably the most important aspect to remember when dealing with mental illness is that we must be patient and always practice sensitivity. You can not blame that person for the way they behave or the things they do. The saying, actions speak louder than words does not apply to this situation. They are not aware or in control of their actions. -
Step 2
The hardest part to deal with, in trying to live with mental illness is the fact that you cannot communicate with them in the same way you would with others. They are not always in touch with reality so reasoning with them is going to get you no where. Instead make sure your listening. Make sure your voice is always calm and soothing. Ask a lot of questions but don’t try and give them advice. They probably won’t take it or will get angry with you. Also don’t take their anger to heart. It stems from something that is probably in most cases not your fault and has nothing to do with you.
-
Step 3
Remember the good times. Remember them and bring them up when ever possible. Sometimes this will calm them down or bring them back to reality. Don’t get frustrated when they don’t get better either, because the sad reality is, a lot of times they won’t. They might for a while but medications only works for some cases and treatments are experimental in the beginning stages.
Most of all, remember that they are humans just like you and I. They may sound different, act different and look different but deep down they are just like you. In that respect try and remember what you would want if you were sick. Always ask yourself what would help me, if I was panicking or feeling depressed. Where would I want to go, what would make me feel better, because you never know, it might help.
Try and find out as much as you can about the illness and go to more than one doctor. Second opinions are always helpful, even third and fourth opinions.
Lastly, pray. For there is no situation that God is not a part of and if nothing else it will make you feel better and don’t forget to keep talking with friends and family about it.
Comments
jayel72 said
on 9/27/2009 "For there is no situation that God is not a part of " This is not true for everyone. Not everyone believes in God, and sometimes this can be very condescending to others, including those with mental illness. In fact, sometimes using God in your language can create more problems because there are some with mental illness who have a fixation, or a distrust of religious people, and many do not believe in god at all (but go along with fear of being thought of as evil). I'm not saying it doesn't help for many people to use that as a comfort (studies have shown that those with a belief in God have better outcomes because of their faith, but that does NOT prove that God exists, but proves faith in the unknowable does have healing, and comforting effects), but only to those who have a religion or a belief in God. To those who do not believe in God, using a religious antidote can cause more ...
tundranut said
on 2/14/2009 Must say, as the parent of a beautiful and wonderful girl who has schizophrenia, I felt this article spoke to me as a parent. It wasn't about lumping all who were ill but about trying to help. I'm so sad. I love her, and wish that it was different (because she suffers and I want her to be happy), and remember her the way it was before. So thank you for this little article. Everything helps.
Kimsta said
on 8/24/2008 I never meant to be disrespectful in any way to those suffering from these chemical imbalances. I am no doctor and am only talking from experience with dealing with people with such disorders. I understand fully what it is like to have something in your brain not work properley. I have epilepsy also and suffer from frequent seizures. Before I was finally diagnosed with epilepsy and before my first grand mal I also thought I had some sort of mental illness. SO thank you for your comments though. I only lumped the group together because the person I know who suffers has not been diagnosed with anything in particular because they have not been able to identify the cause and I was trying to say that anyone who suffers in any way from illness needs support, especially from their loved ones.I will take them into consideration next time I write on this topic.
Integrity9 said
on 5/11/2008 To some extent the "mentally ill" is aware and in control of his actions. I am one.
I think it is a mistake to lump all people with mental illness into one category, just as it is wrong to group together all people with any physical illness.
Mentally ill is a label, a misnomer. Mental illnesses are brain disorders caused by a malfunctioning nervous system or imbalanced neurotransmitters, and are therefore physical illnesses as well.
Again, people with brain disorders are as varied (different levels, degrees or intensity of illness) as all people in general and should not be stereotyped.