Mental illnesses
are different from other medical conditions...
Of course, many medical conditions are extremely difficult
for family members to accept and manage. Any threat
to the health and wellbeing of a loved one is upsetting
and disruptive to some extent. But mental illnesses
create a cluster of challenges which are quite unique
and which have powerful implications for family caregivers.
Here's a quick way to get a sense of how mental illness
is like and unlike other diseases you may be familiar
with.
What is Different
for YOU?
What have been the particular challenges mental
illness has posed to you and your family?
If your loved one had another medical condition,
such as hypertension, laryngitis, or diabetes,
how different would your caregiving role be?
Would your life be disrupted to the same extent?
What impact would any of these other conditions
have on your family life compared to the impact
of the mental illness?
