Treatment
How does my parent get better?
Diagnosis ...
The doctor will need to identify which illness your parent has. The doctor will need to see your parent, and may want to talk to family members as well. Mental health problems can be hard to identify. It may be obvious to you that your parent is unwell, but not so obvious to a doctor seeing a patient for a short appointment. Unlike you, doctors do not see the patient every day and so may have nothing to compare their present behaviour to.
Diagnosis is important because then the doctor will know how to treat the illness. This often includes medication.
Medication (drugs) ...
Drugs work on the brain chemistry and tackle the symptons of the illness. For example, if a person is constantly on the go and not getting any sleep, a major tranquiliser can slow down and make them sleepy. Or if a person is feeling down, anti-depressants can lift the mood. Drugs can either be taken in tablet form every day, or by injection (called a depot injection) on a regular basis, e.g. once a month.
Although drugs can help a person get better, they can also have unpleasent side effects. These can include shakiness or stiffness, weight gain, dry mouth and blurred vision. If you are concerned about any side effects which you parent is experiencing, contact the doctor.
A person may have to try a number of different drugs before finding out which suits them. Some people may have to take drugs for the rest of their lives. Others may only need a short spell of treatment. Sometimes people get fed up of taking drugs and stop. For a while there is no change. But the effects of the drugs can take time to wear off, and then the illness may return. This is why it is so important to involve the doctor in any change to the drug treatment.
Most people on medication find they can get on with their lives without too much interference from their illness.
Talking treatments - counselling or psychotherapy
Talking about problems can help people find solutions and new ways of coping.
This can happen on a one-to-one basis or in groups. It could be very helpful for
both you and your parent to have a chance to talk about what's been going on at home.
For you ...
Talking about what's on your mind to a counsellor can make things clearer.
Sometimes it can be very helpful to meet others who have been through similar
experiences to yourself. It can be a big support to know you are not alone.
For your parent ...
Sometimes when people are ill, they may say or do things they later regret. It can help to talk about this. Also, your parent may want to go to a group for people who have a mental health problem.
The organisations listed here may run such groups, or be able to put you in touch with others who can help.
With treatment some people recover completely, others may have recurring problems throughout their lives. When a person becomes ill again this is called a relapse. You may be able to recognise the signs leading to a relapse and get in touch with people who can help.
Introduction
What is mental health?
Living with mental health problems
What about me?
Treatment
Who can help
Legal matters
And finally....
Useful addresses and telephone numbers
