Understanding Your Loved One’s Diagnosis, as a Mental Illness Caregiver
Welcome to The Care Hack! We support mental illness caregivers in every aspect of their caregiver journey.
The healthcare system needs caregivers, but doesn’t give them enough help. But we know how valuable you are, and how much you sacrifice. Our mission is to make your life easier, with knowledge and unwavering support.
In this post, we’ll talk about diagnosis, which simply means naming the illness. We’ll dispel some myths, explain common challenges, and offer practical tips.
The Right Diagnosis May Take Time
The path to a correct mental illness diagnosis can take years. Unlike physical illnesses (such as diabetes or cancer) there is no objective test (like blood tests or imaging) for mental illness. Instead, mental illness diagnosis is based on a combination of subjective factors, including patient answers to surveys, observed behavior, the DSM-5 criteria, and the judgement of psychiatrists and psychologists. For our cofounder Mitul and his family, it was a four year process to correctly pinpoint his brother’s schizophrenia, a path littered with misdiagnoses such as alcoholism and bipolar disorder. The emotional toll of this journey can be immense. If you’re at the beginning, know that persistence is key; encourage healthcare providers to explain their diagnostic conclusions thoroughly. And remember, if it takes a few years to get the right answer, you’re not alone.
Diagnosis is Not Destiny, But It Does Help Light the Way
When the correct diagnosis finally arrives, it is normal for mental illness caregivers to feel a whirlwind of emotions, from sadness to denial. But the right diagnosis is an important step; it can help you chart a course toward understanding, acceptance, and action.
Your first tool is self-awareness. As a mental illness caregiver, you must take time to process your feelings and seek support from family, friends, or mental health professionals, as you adjust to this new reality. There’s no shame in feeling overwhelmed; it's a sign of your deep investment in your loved one's well-being.
Knowledge is also a powerful lever. It will be helpful to learn about the symptoms and behaviors that will be part of your loved one’s experience with mental illness. This allows you to understand more of what they are going through, and find out how you can help. Getting the right information will also help you interact effectively with your loved one’s providers.
Crafting a Care Strategy
You can work with mental health professionals to develop a care plan that is tailored to your loved one’s needs, and also to your capabilities and limitations as a mental illness caregiver. The plan has to be a good fit for both of you if it is going to be successful!
Engaging in honest, straightforward communication with mental health professionals will help solidify your role in your loved one’s care. Never hesitate to ask questions; your involvement can make a huge difference in the quality of the treatment and support your loved one receives.
How mental illness affects a person is highly variable, and depends on multiple factors, including the severity of their illness, the time it took to begin the right treatment, their response to treatment, and the additional support they receive. With consistent support and care, many people with mental illness are able to lead dynamic, fulfilling lives.
Navigating Denial and Resistance
Confronting denial is a delicate aspect of mental health care. Serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, can obscure a person's ability to recognize their own illness, leading to a cycle of denial and resistance to treatment. If your loved one is struggling to accept their condition, try to avoid confrontations. Instead, offer a listening ear and validate their emotions. Learn the art of communicating without confrontation. When discussing the illness, use "I" statements to express concern without placing blame. This approach builds the often-overlooked element of trust, and can gently lead them toward accepting the help they need, without the need for contentious debates about their diagnosis.
In Summary: Uphold Empathy, Patience, and Trust
Maintain empathy, even if your loved one is denying their illness or refusing to talk about it. You can still work with professionals to figure out the best way to support your loved one, while showing respect for their version of the truth. And even if they remain stubbornly in denial of their illness for the long term, showing respect and compassion for their point of view may actually help them to accept treatment anyway.
Recognize that your loved one is likely in pain, facing fear and uncertainty that may mirror your own. The best approach is to listen to their concerns and validate their feelings while still encouraging them to seek professional help. By actively listening and validating their feelings, you not only show respect but also foster trust. In the face of societal neglect and stigma towards mental illness, this trust becomes the foundation of your relationship. It's the trust that says, "I am here with you," amidst the challenges. Preserving this bond of trust is essential. Indeed, it can be the very key to navigating the journey towards healing together.
And remember, you don’t have to do it alone! The Care Hack is here to help you and your fellow mental illness caregivers.
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