Finding + connecting psychological, spiritual, interpersonal

[RIta_Jean]

Hi
My name is Rita. I am a wife and mother of seven children, five at home, one soon to return. We have recently moved my husband’s mother to live very close to us. Our family needs to learn much more about helping people deal with severe bouts of paranoia, how to help a person paralyzed by irrational fears to sort out their logic and accusations, their inability to trust on a level that is necessary in order to function in society… We are trying to seek medical help, though at this point, extreme suspicion of doctors and inability to recognize that there is an irrational level to these fears, or that someone outside the family might be able to help, and would not intend harm, is a stumbling block. We are in need of reliable resources, non-threatening discussion strategies, and a clearer perspective of spiritual, interpersonal and medical insights. Our elderly relative has suffered severe war trauma in her youth and is becoming increasingly unable to cope; some of our youth suffer from drug experimentation with its ensuing addiction, and depression/paranoia.
Thank you for your time and concern
Yours in Christ
Rita

 

[Tantum_ergo]

If you were in the US I would recommend NAMI --the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill–which has state chapters.

Since you’re from Canada I would recommend going to this link:

cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=3&lang=1

To access the Canadian Mental Health Association. From what I see on their site they offer several locations in the provinces of Canada and a comprehensive review of understanding various mental illnesses. Just getting some of the information might be helpful but “a little learning is a dangerous thing” so I would recommend finding the chapter closest to your area and contacting somebody from that chapter to speak ‘one-on-one’ with you. They should be able to help with education for the family on all the differing maturity/age levels, and possibly services etc. that could be tailored to the individual so as to be most helpful. I know that the US NAMI was extremely helpful both in initiation and for ongoing help and I hope that Canada’s services will be equally helpful.

God bless- you’re in my prayers.

 

[GracedUpon]

I have been working in the mental health field for a few months, though not very long, but I have learned a few things about how to respond to individuals with mental illness, but I still have very much to learn yet.

First of all, do your best not to take the negative things she says personally. If she accuses you of stealing her money or making her take poisonous meds, etc. it’s because she honestly believes it, due to her inability to distinguish reality from her delusions. If she is aware that she has delusions, then you may be able to gently suggest that her suspicions are based in her head, rather than reality. If she does not accept that she has a mental illness, then you want to be careful about telling her that things are “all in her head”, because then she may just become even more suspicious of you, since she may perceive you as trying to convince her that she is crazy.

If she is taking psychiatric medications, it’s a good idea to keep track of them and make sure she’s taking them properly. If she suffers from severe paranoia, then she might refuse to take her meds because she thinks you’re trying to kill her or whatever. Obviously you can’t force her to take her meds, but try to convince her, and then keep an eye on her for a little while afterward to make sure she doesn’t spit them back up. If she stops taking her meds, then her paranoia, depression, and other psychiatric symptoms will exacerbate. Explain to her what the consequences will be if she stops taking her medications.

If you notice a major change in her behavior, have her checked medically. She may not be taking her medications, or she may have a urinary tract infection. I know it sounds strange, but one of my clients gets really sleepy, higher than usual blood sugar, and angrier behavior symptoms when she has a UTI, but doesn’t feel the typical symptoms such as painful urination.

Do your best to have a positive attitude when you’re with her. Joke around with her and regularly express to her that you care about her and that you’re glad that she’s closer to you and the family. People with mental illness are especially in need of loving attention, particularly if they are living alone. You can also take her out and spend time with her in public. It’s often a good idea to help people with mental illness get out into the community, even if it’s just to go to McDonald’s or grocery shopping.

Hope this helps! God bless to you, your mother in law, and your family.