| As a carer of a mentally ill loved one you will go | | | | several times, is the harrowed look in their eyes |
| through one of the biggest learning curves you will | | | | which could be fear or exhaustion, or in the case of |
| ever face. Unless you have experience in seeing this | | | | a person with bipolar it could be the opposite if they |
| illness before it will be a real eye opener. In my | | | | are in a manic phase and look exhilarated. Early |
| writings I take the positive, in that I believe in | | | | warning signs could range from agitation, pacing, |
| Recovery. In saying that, I know that this is not | | | | yelling, isolation, not eating, total non-activity, hand |
| always true and I have heard some heart wrenching | | | | signing or other signs depending on the illness |
| stories along the way. | | | | involved. |
| If you are dealing with your caring role on a day to | | | | Once you have become skilled at noticing these signs |
| day basis then it is important that you learn as quick | | | | you can deal with it much sooner than you would |
| as you can strategies to cope with various situations. | | | | have and have strategies set up to cope. It could be |
| And believe me, with certain illnesses there are many | | | | medication that needs to be addressed or whatever |
| different situations. Some illnesses can have the | | | | it is, but don't delay and if you can foresee trouble |
| sufferer going from changing moods, paranoia, | | | | ahead you can get hold of doctors and counsellors |
| attitudes and more within minutes. So many changes | | | | for back up help. |
| can make if very hard for the carer to cope and you | | | | PLAN AHEAD TO STAY IN CONTROL |
| often feel like you are jumping from one scenario to | | | | In the early days of caring, life is often lived with the |
| another and you are! | | | | "it will get better soon" attitude, and this may be so |
| EARLY WARNING SIGNS | | | | for some people, but the reality is, that it may not. |
| With time you see repetition of certain signs leading | | | | Because dealing with the whole situation can be so |
| up to an episode. These are early warning signs and | | | | stressful try to plan ahead for doctors appointments |
| by recognising these you will be able to discuss the | | | | by making notes of concerns you have and |
| signs with the person with the lived experience during | | | | questions you want answers to, otherwise there is a |
| calmer moments and start working together with this | | | | good chance you will forget at the time. |
| issue. I have often heard it said, "But he/she is so ill I | | | | TIME OUT FOR YOURSELF |
| just cant discuss anything", and yes, at times this | | | | As a carer I would encourage you to work on coping |
| may be true. Keeping in mind the type of illness you | | | | strategies as much as helping your loved one. AND |
| are dealing with there will more than likely be small | | | | coping may mean making sure that you have an |
| windows of time where you will be able to open up | | | | interest outside the family just for yourself alone and |
| some sort of discussion. Sometimes these windows | | | | do it on a regular basis. It may be a hobby, it may be |
| of opportunity are so small and there can be so | | | | just walking around the shops, having a coffee or a |
| many issues to be discussed that you will have to | | | | dinner out, but make sure you look after yourself as |
| prioritise them. Keeping a diary or notepad, at least, | | | | well. |
| of issues to be discussed helps relieve some of the | | | | You are doing a very hard job and you deserve to |
| stress because you know you have it on paper and | | | | have some time out for yourself, in fact, it is |
| it wont be forgotten. | | | | essential for your own health! |
| A fairly easy to read sign, once you have seen it | | | | |