| Although there are different types of mental illness | | | | provide can be arranged in another way. |
| and symptoms, family members and friends of those | | | | When mental illness first strikes, family members may |
| affected share many similar experiences. There is a | | | | deny the person has a continuing illness. During the |
| lot you can do to help your friend or relative. | | | | acute episode family members will be alarmed by |
| However, you need to look after yourself too. To be | | | | what is happening to their loved one. |
| suffering from a psychiatric condition is by many | | | | Families may also have little knowledge about mental |
| described as a painful and sometimes traumatic | | | | illness. They may believe that it is a condition that is |
| experience. When someone close to you goes | | | | totally disabling. |
| through this you will not only be affected because s | | | | Even when all members of the family have the |
| he is in pain, your life will be affected in a number of | | | | knowledge to deal with mental illness, the family is |
| other ways. It can affect your financial situation, how | | | | often reluctant to discuss their family member with |
| and where you live and work. | | | | others because they do not know how people will |
| Mental illness can lead to a variety of emotional | | | | react. After all, myths and misconception surround |
| effects for brothers and sisters of the affected | | | | mental illness. |
| person. For example, they may feel: | | | | It is difficult for anyone to deal with strange thinking |
| Confusion about their sibling's changed behaviour. | | | | and bizarre and unpredictable behavior. Imagine what |
| Embarrassment about being in the affected person's | | | | it must be for families of people with mental illness. It |
| company. | | | | is bewildering, frightening and exhausting. Even when |
| Jealous of their parent's attention. | | | | the person is stabilized on medication, the apathy and |
| Resentment about not being like their peers. | | | | lack of motivation can be frustrating. |
| Fear of developing the mental illness. | | | | Obviously such constant stress and concern can |
| You should decide what level of support and care | | | | create serious family problems. Family life can be |
| you are realistically able to provide. Explain this to the | | | | unsettled and unpredictable. It becomes very difficult, |
| friend or relative with the mental illness as well as the | | | | often impossible, to plan for family outings or |
| health professionals involved in their care (for | | | | vacations or to have even the simplest gathering at |
| example, the psychiatrist or case manager). This will | | | | home. |
| ensure that the type of support you are unable to | | | | |