Interpersonal Skills

Knowing what to say and how to say it can be one of the most difficult skills to master when working with individuals experiencing altered mental states. Many caregivers provide care to family members who have physical and mental conditions. At times, their family member may display symptoms of depression, threats of suicide, extreme fears that prevent normal activities, and severe anxiety that can be almost as incapacitating. In addition, many encounter situations where family members experience hallucinations or delusions. They see, hear or believe things that are not real to anyone except their family member who strongly believes them to be right in the room with them.
For caregivers, these situations are more than just difficult; they are frightening and can be dangerous to the safety of the caregiver and family member if not handled correctly. “Interpersonal Skills” provides insights into some of the more common mental health conditions as background information plus gives examples of ways to handle some of the more difficult situations caregivers might encounter.

As a caregiver, it is often hard to know how to handle difficult situations such as depression in a loved one.

Feelings of Depression

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 professional rather […]

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Sundowning

Sundowning  Sundowning Confusion Starts in the Early Afternoon Sundowning comes by its name because it’s a behavior seen in many dementia patients around the time the sun goes down each day in the late afternoon or evening. In most cases, symptoms are less pronounced earlier in the day. However, as the day progresses toward nighttime,

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Looking in the mirror only to find someone else there who is telling you what to do because they have been sent by witch to cast a spell on you incorporates both hallucinations and delusions concerns.

Hallucinations and Delusions

  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 a mental

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Knowing what to say and how to break the barrier of depression can be difficult at times.

Challenging Behaviors and Emotions – Video Examples

  Handling Challenging Behaviors and Emotions What is the best way to deal with family members when they act out in a way that is not safe or inappropriate for the situation?  The following videos series produced by UCLA  provides examples of one way you might approach the situation. Thanks to UCLA for allowing me

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Autism Spectrum Disorder

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?       Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. The exact causes are unknown but research shows influencing factors to include genetic conditions, as well as,  environmental, chemical, and other factors. Wide Spectrum of Abilities and Limitations Individuals with autism look like

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Children who have Conduct Disorders frequently get into fights.

Conduct Disorders

Conduct Disorders  As you might guess, “Conduct Disorders” are mental health conditions related to problem behaviors. There are three primary groups. Conduct and Oppositional Defiant Disorders Schizophrenia Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders, including attention deficit disorders Two out of the three groups begin in childhood. The third appears in either childhood or adulthood.   Group One

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Bipolar Disorder (a mood-related disorder) causes swings in emotions from extreme mania to severe depression.

Mood Related Disorders

Mood Related Disorders As the name suggests, people with Mood-Related Disorders have difficulty with emotions. The most common conditions known are Depression and Bipolar Disorder. Depression describes a broad range of conditions where the individual has negative, heavy feelings of loss and sadness, anxiety, emptiness, low self-esteem, and a bleak outlook. In contrast, Bipolar Disorder

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Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders Can Be Fatal Though more common among women, eating disorders affect both sexes, often affecting multiple people in the same family. Therefore, research believes there may be a genetic component associated with it. Those who suffer from eating disorders have distorted body images leading to an obsession with weight loss. The methods used

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