For Young People Who Have a Loved One with Mental Illness
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If you have a family member who has a mental illness, it can sometimes be extremely difficult to communicate with them. This is because mental illnesses may affect their ability to think clearly or concentrate. A person can also be more stressed when they have difficulty understanding what is said or what is expected of them.
So effective communication becomes an important skill that can help families and friends cope with mental illness. Because sometimes it is not what you say that is important, but how you say it.
Communicating with a person with a mental illness
Sometimes a person with mental illness will experience symptoms that will make it harder to communicate with them. You may then need to adapt what or how you say something to increase your chances of being understood.
The following table shows some more common symptoms of mental illness and what you can do to more effectively communicate with them.
Symptom |
|
|
Difficulty concentrating or remembering things. |
Keep things simple, straightforward and brief. You may need to cover one topic at a time and repeat things. |
|
Overstimulation |
Avoid using a loud voice when speaking with the person and help them find a place where they can go to get away from overstimulation. |
|
Preoccupation with their internal world |
Get the person's attention before you begin talking to them. |
|
Fluctuating emotions |
Don't take words or actions personally. |
|
Belief in delusions |
Don't agree with and don't argue about their delusion. |
|
Fear |
Stay calm. |
|
Insecurity |
Remind the person that you care and that you accept them. Listen carefully to what the person is saying and acknowledge their point of view and feelings. |
Express yourself clearly
When you are talking to someone with mental illness, remember to be as specific as possible when you are talking or communicating with them. Below are some examples of phrases that are ambiguous and confusing and examples of how to express the same idea more clearly and concretely.
Ambiguous phrase |
More direct phrase |
|
"You are inconsiderate." |
"I would like you to know before you enter my room." |
|
"I need more independence." |
"I would like to go out with my friends on weekends." |
|
"We don't spend enough time together." |
"I would like if we could make plans to do things together this weekend." |
|
"You never pay attention." |
"I would like you to put down what you're doing and listen to what I am saying." |
Anosognosia: What is it?Anosognosia is a common symptom of some mental illnesses including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The person is not simply in denial,rather they cannot understand that they are ill. Anosognosia describes the lack of insight into their own illness. |
How "I messages" can help you communicate effectively
Another simple method of clearly communicating your needs is called the "I Message." It is a basic communication tool that can be used to make a request or express negative feelings. It helps let the person you are talking to know how their behaviour is affecting you or others.
This method focuses on your feelings and thoughts rather than criticizing or blaming the other person. This may help you get your point across without your family member feeling defensive.
"I Messages" works like this:
I _________________________ when you ________________________________.
Examples:
|
"Don’t yell!" |
"I get scared when you yell at me." |
|
"You're always late picking me up." |
"I feel forgotten when you are late picking me up." |
|
"You don't listen" |
"I feel angry when you ignore me when I am trying to talk to you." |
Remember you are not alone.
Having a loved one with mental illness is not easy. Find someone you trust (i.e. a parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, counsellor, teacher) and talk to them.
Additional resources for communicating with a loved one are also available through www.heretohelp.bc.ca and www.bcss.org.
Resources
Kids & Teens in Control Groups
www.bcss.org/kidsincontrol
Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division
www.cmha.bc.ca
1-800-555-8222
COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness)
www.copmi.net.au/kids-youngpeople
HeretoHelp
www.heretohelp.bc.ca
B.C. Schizophrenia Society
www.bcss.org
Foundry BC
foundrybc.ca
YouthinBC (online chat service)
www.youthinbc.com
Kids Help Phone
www.kidshelpphone.ca
1-800-668-6868
Crisis Centre Suicide Line
1-800-SUICIDE
(1-800-784-2433)
About the author
The BC Schizophrenia Society helps individuals and families find their way in the mental health system. They also provide regional programs and services to help people with serious mental illnesses and their families. For more, visit www.bcss.org or call 1-888-888-0029.
