Spouse Support: What Not To Do When Dealing With A Psychotic Loved One
Being diagnosed with a psychotic condition can make someone feel worthless. That is especially the case if the victim is aware of the illness. Some people with psychotic disorders will never admit to themselves that they have a problem. In many instances, that’s easier for loved ones because you can avoid the issue as much as possible. However, there are still lots of things you could get wrong. The last thing you want to do is make the situation worse, and so we’ve published some tips here today. Use them to ensure you always take the right approach when your partner or a family member becomes unwell.
Don’t encourage their fantasies
While you don’t want to spend all day reminding your spouse they’re ill; it’s also sensible to refrain from taking part in their delusions. Playing along might seem like a harmless move, but it could make their condition worse. At the end of the day, you will effectively validate their fantasies and make it even harder for them to admit their problem. At the same time, you don’t want to push the issue too much either. Just change the subject if they start talking about something that doesn’t make sense.
Don’t stop telling them to get help
It’s important that you remind your loved one they need to get help every day. That is of particular importance if they don’t have an official diagnosis. It can take a long time for someone to notice they’re acting in a strange manner. In many situations, they will feel like it’s the rest of the world that’s gone mad. Gentle reminders from people who care about them could go a long way towards making them understand their issue. That could be enough to encourage them to get the medication they require to improve. So, make sure you make a conscious effort to highlight their illness in a calm and collected way.
Don’t add to their stresses
The last thing you want to do is add to the stresses of your spouse’s mental health problem. You could make the condition worse if you’re not careful. For example, people who have schizophrenia often deteriorate when they feel under too much pressure. Indeed, it can push them into a state where their body functions stop working. You might have heard the term before, but what is catatonic schizophrenia? Well, it’s a stage of the illness that can have drastic effects on someone’s ability to live a normal life. There’s lots of information online you should read if that applies to your situation.
You should now have a good idea about the things you shouldn’t do when dealing with a psychotic loved one. So, what about the things you SHOULD do? Well, in most instances it’s sensible for you to ensure they attend medical appointments. You could go along with them to provide support if they’re nervous. You also need to make sure they always take any prescribed medication. At the end of the day, it will help to balance their mood and remove all those delusions. You could also encourage them to get out of the house as much as possible. Many people with mental health issues shut themselves off from the world, and that just makes things worse.