Caring for someone with a mental illness can be a challenging experience that pushes you along unexpected and unknown paths. Trying to make sense of your feelings, the illness, and the whole situation brings many questions with sometimes even fewer answers. This is not an unfamiliar experience; many families often feel this way.
The initial shock
When someone has a mental illness, it affects every member of a family – Most people have had limited or no previous experience of dealing with a mental illness and you may experience a whole range of feelings.
GUILT: Where did I go wrong? Did I do anything to cause this?
STIGMA: What will other people think, who can I talk to?
FEAR: of what will happen to them or of the person harming themselves or becoming violent.
FRUSTRATION/ ANGER: At being unable to do anything or get any real help.
HURT: At criticism from people who simply do not understand.
GRIEF: At the loss of the person as you knew them before the illness.
Finding out everything you can about the illness and the treatment options is very important.
Also important is making sure that your own physical, social and emotional needs are met so that you can better cope in times of extreme stress. This may be difficult at times and you may feel guilty about doing things for yourself. – Aim to have a balance in your life
You are not alone in feeling these things and it is important that you seek support for yourself and other family members.
Well put.
I thank you for this. I am a single mom to a almost 7 year old with schizoaffective disorder. She is currently in a RTC facility because of the violence, and of course since it’s just me I am the only one to take it out on. But I love her more than the world and would never, ever give up on her. That’s what Mommys do right?
I would ask your permission to put a link to your blog on mine if that is ok? My blog is at: http://www.picklesprincess.wordpress.com feel free to take a peek and see if you are ok with that. If not, I understand!
But thank you for also sharing your story. I think that our blogs keep us all connected and give us hope.
Kirsten Hansen
Mom to “Pickles” almost age 7, dx Schizoaffective Disorder ) BiPoler Subtype, GAD, ADHD, Borderline ODD/CD, Currently in an RTC to keep her safe from herself.