Mental Illness and the Effects on & Role of the Family

Jeffrey Rowe, MDSupervising Psychiatrist, County of San Diego

Associate Clinical Professor, UCSD

In a family…

• Routines, roles, expectations, activities• Everyone’s family is a bit different, but many

things are the same– ANCHORING– SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT– HANDLE CHALLENGES– CELEBRATE EVENTS

When Mental Illness develops in a family member…

• Anchors shake and loosen

• Impact depends on who is affected and how

• Old ways can’t continue

• FUTURE altered

Serious Mental Illness

• Anxiety, depression, substance use

• Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, substance dependence, dementia– DISABILITY– CHANGE OF ROLES• Reversal, extension, more involvement

– GRIEF REACTION• Denial, fear, hope, frustration, anger…

Complex Reactions

• Worries– Find helpful treatment?

• Regret, frustration, anger• Helplessness• Demandingness• Apathy– ALL MIXED TOGETHER!

Most Rally from these Reactions

• Acceptance• Sharing with others– Stories, advice– Help each other

• Caring, supporting the family member• Accentuate the positive and the ability• Find help• Give help• Advocate for people with this problem

Quite awful to discover someone you love has a serious mental illness

The responses are complex, vary over time.

Coming to grips with the condition, confirming your support and commitment to your family

member, helping others