Some family members have a mental health diagnosis with symptoms that create challenges for the caregiver. Family members who have mental health or memory disorders exhibit various symptoms. Knowing how to handle emotional outbursts and changes in personality can be confusing and frightening for caregivers.
The information provided throughout the “How to Handle Difficult Situations” section provides guidelines and suggestions on what might work in emotional situations; however, keep in mind that every person and every environment is different. Try a variety of techniques to find what works best for your situation.
Hallucinations occur with mental and physical illnesses and often happen as a side effect of medications, low oxygen, or trauma. Therefore, don’t assume someone has a mental health condition if they start seeing something you don’t see or hearing voices you can’t hear. Waking up within an extended dream state or with …
Like hallucinations, delusions are difficult for both the caregiver and the family member to handle because they seem real. The person experiencing the delusion believes the story they tell about a situation. For example, if your family member tells you she had dinner last night in Paris with your dead Aunt who works for …
Approaching Someone Who Is Angry When a person with dementia or a mental illness is angry, they may not think clearly. Therefore, it is very important to use caution when approaching if they show signs of aggression. In addition, their actions may be unpredictable. Even close relatives may not recognize you and may believe …
To Help Someone Who Is Depressed, You Need to Be Able to Recognize the Signs of Depression Sometimes a person gradually slips into depression without realizing how low they have sunk. As their motivation to rise above the sadness is waning, you notice changes in their appearance and behaviors. If you notice …
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Tips on How to Respond Quickly If Suicide Plans Are In Process If you feel that your family member or friend has a plan in progress about how to commit suicide, you need to take immediate action to help them. Therefore, evaluate the danger to the person and …
Myths About Suicidal Thoughts People who talk about suicide won’t really do it. Almost everyone who commits suicide has given some clue or warning in advance. So don’t ignore even an indirect reference to death or suicide. Statements like, “You’ll be sorry when I’m gone,” “I can’t see any way out” –even if someone …
Why Someone has Suicidal Thoughts Most people start having suicidal thoughts when they are desperate to escape suffering that has become unbearable. The individual who chooses suicide as their only option feels self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation. The unfortunate truth is that they can’t see any other way out of their situation other than to take …
Handling Feelings of Depression Having feelings of depression affects millions of people. Both the caregiver and the care receiver suffer from depression in many situations. Attempting to care for someone who feels depressed while feeling that way is particularly difficult. If this describes your life, I encourage you to seek help from a qualified …
Coping with Anger and Aggression Many family caregivers provide care to family members who have dementia (i.e., someone with memory loss), either as their main reason for needing care or as one of many reasons. Caregivers and dementia patients often struggle with anger and aggression arguments. Unexplained Anger When we think …
Hallucinations and Delusions Seem Real Hallucinations and delusions can both occur with mental illness, including dementia (Alzheimer’s.) In fact, some people even hallucinations or delusions with infections, after anesthesia, with serious illnesses, or as a side effect of medications. Therefore, you can’t assume that if your family member doesn’t have …
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