For Caregivers

Taking care of a person suffering from a psychiatric problem is a huge responsibility, it requires immense patience, self control. Care giver has to fight the illness, social stigmas, insecurity about patient’s future(especially if the patient is their child, or a lady ).Apart from this they have their own anxiety, fears, helplessness, anger towards God, patient, society, themselves. If the illness is severe the primary care givers life is centerd around the patient and his/her own life takes a backseat. It’s natural to feel burnout in such situation.Family support i.e delegation of care giving work, emotional support to each other becomes very necessary.The family can take help of counselors/psychologists/treating doctor to know about the illness,treatment,and how to handle the patient .They can take couselling if required .Apart from this they should keep foll things in mind-

Care giver should take care of their health also.

They can take help of relaxation exercises to help overcome mental tension and to relax.

Learn to recognize early signs of relapse it prevents later problem, many patients become non cooperative once they become symptomatic or suffer a relapse.

Care giver should ask the treating doctor to explain about the illness, treatment, medications, and any other doubts.

Encourage patients to do some work according to their capacity, encourage them to leave sick role.

Remember patients too are human beings they understand things. I have seen many families who talk about patients freely in the presence of patient thinking the patient doesn’t understand anything, this is wrong.

Many people make fun of the patient, treat them as a mode of their entertainment, when patient reacts they laugh, this is inhuman care givers should discourage such people.

Many patients complain that their family members don’t give them any respect,shout at them, call them mad, crazy, fool all the time. Remember everyone needs respect talking in a low voice with patients is very helpful as it conveys a sense of respect and also they too remain calm---this is especially true when patients r stable and trying to lead normal life.

Set the limits and firmly adhere to it. Tell the patient clearly which behavior is unacceptable and stop the patient every time he shows that behavior. Don’t laugh or make the patient demonstrate what is unacceptable this also include foul, funny language.