How to cope with a family member with mental illness

Many families face a situation of dealing with a mental illness, but are not sure how to handle the situation. Understanding how to cope with a family member who has mental illness is not something that many people discuss openly. However, knowing how you can manage through what may seem like a painful situation can bring comfort to many families. 

Depending on the type and severity of mental illness, typical communication methods may not work. This can be one of the trickier aspects when learning how to cope with a family member who has mental illness. For some, reasoning and common sense are lowered, which can make communication much slower. Others may become easily agitated or upset, forcing families to choose their words carefully. 

If your attempts at communicating have not worked, seeking help from a professional is an important part of learning to cope with a family member who has mental illness. Professionals can help teach you ways to communicate that will not create frustration or anger in either party, and may bring about a sense of bonding. 

For many with mental illnesses, it can be frustrating to be expected to do things that are extremely difficult, or even impossible. Learning new skills, communicating, and processing information may be harder to do. Those who are learning how to cope with a family member with mental illness need to practice patience and sensitivity. 

Some people with mental illnesses can be treated with medications, and while these may reduce or prevent some of the problems they do not necessarily erase the mental illness completely. Patience and sensitivity are still very important even if your family member is receiving treatment and seems to be better. Things on the outside do not always reflect how things feel on the inside, this is an important lesson for those who are learning how to cope with a family member with mental illness. 

Different mental illnesses can affect people in different ways. In learning how to cope with a family member who has mental illness, making an effort to understand the particular mental illness is very important. The more yo understand, the easier it may be to cope with problems that arise. If you are prepared you can expect common complications, and know what to look for in case things become worse. 

It can be very hard to see a person change in personality, behavior, and ability due to a mental illness. In times past, those with mental illnesses were treated as less than humans and often abused. For some with severe cases of mental illness, it may seem very difficult to see the human still inside the body. 

Yet, it is crucially important to remember that this person is still the same family member you knew and loved. A mental illness does not destroy the basic needs of a human: to be loved and cared for. 

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