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- Cognitive Impairments – For some people impairments in cognition are part of their illness. While the level of impairment will vary with the illness cognitive impairments can be seen in a persons’ inability to think clearly, to pay attention, and to organize or to problem solve quickly (https://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/cogdys_manual/cogdyshndbk.pdf). As a result, it may seem that when you are asking your loved one who is living with a severe mental illness to do something or try to have a conversation that they are not following or understanding you. But be patient, because of the cognitive impairments associated with their illness it may take them a little longer to express themselves.
- Negative Symptoms. One of the symptoms associated with schizophrenia is what, clinicians call a negative symptom. Negative symptoms include a reduction in emotions and drive. The person appears apathetic, displays little interest in events or engaging with other people, and they may not talk much (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5479085). Family members may feel as if they did something wrong or that their loved one is behaving this way on purpose.
- Assuming mental illness is the same thing as a lack of intelligence. Treating loved ones who are diagnosed with a mental illness like they are stupid or like they are a child is disrespectful. Listen it’s understandable that you would be concerned and your support is needed and welcomed. But your level of involvement should vary depending on the needs of your loved one.
- Underestimate the impact of the illness. Living with a mental illness is difficult. Depending on the illness the symptoms can be episodic or continual. So even when you or your loved one is doing “well” don’t get complacent. Everyone to include family members should have a relapse plan and be prepared for changes. Being diagnosed with a mental illness changes your life, it can impact how well you do in school, work and or get along with people. Changes or relapse if that occurs is not the end of the world, just like periodic fluctuations in the life of a person with Diabetes changes in symptoms are to be expected.
- Trying to dictate the pace. People move at different paces so please be patient. For example, two people can be diagnosed with schizophrenia but function differently. Depending on what age a person was when they were first diagnosed, the medications and support they received, and where they were diagnosed etc., their journey of recovery will be different.
- Assuming that because people don’t’ talk about mental illness in the same way that you do that they are “backward” or “ignorant.” It’s not that people don’t care sometimes they have more pressing things to focus their efforts on. According to Maslow if people are focused on meeting their basic needs, it’s hard for them to focus on the higher ones. If I have to worry about how I am going to eat, where I am going to live or my child who is in prison, for example then I may not be as focused on mental health.
