Mental Illness Family

A mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (2014), is “a condition that impacts a person’s thinking, feeling or mood and may affect his or her ability to relate to others and function on a daily basis” (para. 1) There are many different illnesses and each has its own side effects. Each persons experience could also be different, although the same disease may be present. What stays the same, however, is the impact that mood disorders have on the family. Left untreated, mood disorders have a negative effect on the entire family unit causing the members stress, anger, and guilt. They are typically the most affected people in the lives of those with mental illnesses.
While there has been much research done on mental
There is no denying that prolonged stress is bad for the body and health. Ann Pietrangelo, in an article for Healthline states, “Chronic stress can cause a variety of symptoms and can affect your overall health and well-being” (para. 3). In her study, Pietrangelo goes on to explain that chronic or prolonged stress puts all of your body systems at risk for other problems. Stress affects the immune system, the reproductive system, the muscular system, the digestive system, the respiratory and cardiovascular system, and ones central nervous and endocrine system. Often times, chronic stress can lead to a mental illness. Reports like these are why experts suggest going to family therapy and creating diversions that relieve the stress. Taking practical steps to maintain a healthy outlook can reduce or even prevent many of the side effects of chronic
There is a new level of stress added because depending on the illness; one never knows what the patient will do next. Life begins to be lived in a constant state of anxiety over the actions of one person. One becomes so wrapped up in caring for that family member, they often forget about themselves and their peace of mind is at risk. In a study by Natasha Tracy (2012), she explains, “the family members of those suffering from a mental illness are at a higher risk for depression” (para. 3). It is important for family members to realize the risk that they are in by being in this situation. The depression can set in because of the stress or any number of other emotions and they not even realize it. Aside from caring for the patient, financial issues also begin to take their toll. Families dealing with these issues also have financial hardships due to all the medical bills from doctors appointments to hospitalization. The added stress that comes with a mental illness places strain on the relationships within the family. Communication is lost and anger becomes the next