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