Help Those Living With Mental Illness

Mental problems involve certain difficulties in their treatment. When a family member or friend is diagnosed with a problem of this type, we must make sure that they have the necessary care. Among the aspects that we must monitor are:

Psychiatric treatment

Anyone suffering from any type of mental illness or disorder should be under the supervision of a certified psychiatrist. Most of these conditions require medical treatments that require strict control of medication, dosage, and resulting behaviors. In addition to medication, psychiatric treatment has conversation sessions that allow you to express existing concerns.

It is vital that those who take any medication do not stop seeing their doctor when they feel better or because they no longer wish to continue with the treatment. If they do, more severe problems could develop and set back the progress made.

The visit to the psychologist

Some mental problems can be treated with psychological care and without the need for medication. In these cases, weekly talks are recommended to help improve the emotional state of the patient. On the other hand, our family member may be more open to psychological therapy than to psychiatric therapy.

You should always look for a psychologist who has the credentials that prove his knowledge and has experience in treating the problem that our family member presents. Although young or inexperienced psychologists can do a good job, mental illness requires certain skills that are only acquired over time.

Controlled medication

Those who take medications to treat mental problems can become addicted to them, which is why abuse is common. To avoid these situations, family and friends should be aware of the medications that the patient takes.

There will be times when our friend or family member will show some resistance to taking all the medications or will want to increase the dose to improve their condition. These problems are avoided by monitoring the amount of drugs that are ingested. An important part is avoiding recriminations, blame or accusations to make the relationship stronger.

Suicide prevention

One of the most serious problems for those living with mental illness is the possibility of suicide. Both medicated patients and those who cope with their condition with simple therapy can see suicide as an escape from the problems that may arise. This can be avoided with constant communication with our family member, giving them the confidence to talk about their problems and concerns and listening to them when necessary.

Medical help for patients with mental problems should be complemented with the support of friends and family. They should be aware that their loved one has the correct treatment and follows it to the letter. It is important that those who are supporting a person diagnosed with a mental illness also have the appropriate psychological help.

Although we sometimes forget, helping these people can be a great emotional burden for us.