How do you, personally, deal with someone in your family who has a mental illness?

Question

If you don't have personal experience, this question isn't for you.

Harry, please stop stalking my questions. I have reason to believe that you are now obessed with me and I'm going to have to ask you to stop following me like a lost puppy.

Answer 1

I told him to man up quit blaming everybody else and expecting to be felt sorry for you caused your own problems and for god sake quit boozing .
( Dad died last summer)

Answer 2

It may sound harsh but I just ignored her because she's driving me nuts. My aunt always believe there is some poisonous chemical in the air near her house and often shuts the doors, balcony and windows thus depriving herself of ventilation. She also buys potted plants to keep in her place because she believes they can 'cleanse' the air of this imaginary toxin. And if I drop something in her presence that item will be cleaned//thrown away and I have to wash my hands. She is terribly obssessive and also took out her frustrations on me and said I was dirty, unhygienic etc. She also does'nt each much meat. I considered calling the mental hospital and I gave her advice and even chided her but of course, middle-aged spinsters like her are very stubborn. So I just ignored her...and by a stroke of luck (or bad luck?) she got into some trouble with the neighbours who called the mental institution and the police even visited...serves her right!

Answer 3

I have been the only family member or consistent friend , to be involved in my bi polar brothers life for at least the last 24 years. I "deal" with it with a level of compassion and yes fear. Many times I was his target when he digressed to mean. Because they tend to go after those they are closest to. But over the years I have rescued him from hospitals (you would not believe how much worse a hospital can make someone!!) Jails, and "friends" that robbed him blind Repeatedly he gets involved with the only element that will except him. Bully's that beat the hell out of him in gangs...Druggies, and other mentally ill people. His lack of maturity puts him out of polite circles, due to his inability to respond appropriately for his age (49). He dresses as he did in his teens....
The military hospital decided to move him 7 miles from me...to make HIS life easier. I was able to use my contacts (23 years of building a good reputation in my and surrounding communities) to get him an apartment and secure some belongings for him. I also helped him to acquire furniture and a used car with OUT using ren a center , so as NOT to go further in debt. He has done terrific as my "neighbor", he stays on his meds and has NOT scared the hell out of me or my husband in I think 3 years. At 6'3" 220 lbs, He was considered the scariest most true mentally ill man in my county when he was off meds or under great stress. /c: NOT ANY MORE (v:
To help a relative you need to know their meds, why they take them AND be able to BELIVE them when they tell you something is NOT right with their meds. Sometimes they are SO over medicated it wrecks their brain.

Answer 4

When somebody has a mental illness, everything that they try to do gets 10 times harder. So any practical help you can offer can be helpful. Its the day-to-day things. Don't judge, just be there to offer support and help. Mental illness can be helped 'a lot', so things will get better - keep reiterating this to your family member. They might not believe you, but with time and little steps, it will get better.

Warmth and Smiles.

Answer 5

I separate myself from it mentally, and just try not to think about it, which is easier said than done. It's quite disturbing to see this love one's illness overtake him, but I know there's nothing I can do about it. I also try to find outlets for my disturbance, either by hanging out with my friends, listening to music, or something else constructive, as opposed to destructive, which is probably an easier path to follow, although completely unhealthy.

Answer 6

Are they an adult or a minor ?
With a minor you need professional help . . .
As far as adults, I have learned that unless they seek help, time is mostly wasted.
The only thing that ended up working for me was avoidance ! I minimize contact to the absolute essentials and I no longer get into any discussions other than "how's the weather" . . .
You have all my sympathy as medical help has not really evolved to help much yet , esp if it is bipolar or schizophrenia.

Answer 7

In your immediate family, get help from a qualified professional (psychiatrist AND psychologist), either through insurance or pay out of pocket if you have the $, OR go to a state agency.

If it's not your immediate family, wait until someone directly ASKS for help. Otherwise, you will be seen as butting in, which, actually, you ARE!

Answer 8

You pull back, do not judge but give yourself some space from the person in question.

And if you are an in-law, you butt out and stop making matters worse for the family. If an in-law continues to be obsessd with someone he or she is not related to by blood, he or she should talk to a counselor about his or her obsession.

Answer 9

I have a cousin who just runs up and down in the house all day and he is about 20 yrs....I usually just say hello and thats it but he got worse and eventually he ended up in a mental institution

Answer 10

I have found, the hard way, that all I can do is be separative and try to get them to help themselves by seeing a professional.
You cant fix it yourself and you cant put your life on hold until they are better. That may take years.
Get them to a Doctor FAST before they cant make the decision to help themselves.

Answer 11

As a mother or sister or some one who is so close to him should help him to learn the simple rule but if you are a cousin or some one not really really close just ignore his behavior