How do I live with a mentally-ill parent?

For children who grow up in the care of a mentally ill parent, life is often filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and vigilance. It is not unusual for their needs to be neglected — and they may even have to “compete” with their parent’s symptoms to receive care themselves. It also poses risk factors for problems that can emerge later in life, including emotional and psychological disturbances, learning challenges, and poorer overall functioning. In addition, there are a host of social challenges that these children may encounter, such as social rejection, troubled relationships, marital problems, and family dissolution.

Living with a mentally-ill parent is tough. It is like walking on eggshells all the time. The best thing you can do is ask them what they need. Or, maybe helping around the house. If they are mentally ill and will not get help, I know from personal experiencne how heartbreaking that can be. The best thing you can dois get yourself help. Learning the coping mechanisms for yourself through talk therapy or through some self-help books to deal with them as well. Either way it is a tough situation and I am truly sorry that this is something you have to live with.

My dad was depressed almost all the time, and when it wasn't it was really excited about everything. It was shocking, confuse me a lot, and made me feel responsable of anything. It was really hard to understand that his feelings wasn't trully based in the actions of myself, and it wans't conected to how much he loved me, but it was really hard to not feel overwhelmed. I never trust about what was happiness, or sadness, I lost those concept even with myself, but it's a path, that I'm taking on. By the way, my dad had chronic depression and was bipolar, he comited suicide 4 years ago, but there is always hope.

It might be difficult at first, but understand that you parent is trying their best to stay in a healthier mental space, so you should also try your best to stay considerate of their emotions and feelings, as well as try your best to show empathy towards them. If they choose to vent to you, listen and give your support. Show that you care about them and that you want to be there for them. Let them know that you love them and are ready to listen to any of their problems and that they are not alone in their burdens.

Handling mental illness in a family member can be a frustrating and disheartening experience. The best thing you can do is remember to be patient with them. If it is appropriate, you may want to suggest your parent seek help from a professional. A therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, or even your family doctor should be able to help to some degree either through therapy or medication. Family counseling sessions may benefit you both as you learn together how to overcome the limitations created by the illness. Another good thing to do is to research the illness as much as possible. Learn everything you can like symptoms, triggers, treatment options, and outcomes. Stay strong and build a good support system for yourself, as well.

Living with a mentally ill parent is tough, because they have a lot of authority, but they act a lot out of their insecurities or things having to do with their mental illness, which doesn't usually help you. Speaking from my own experience, living with a dad who has depression, dissociative disorder, PTSD, and ADD, it can be super frustrating. I've found that the best way to be respectful to your parent(s), but also get fair rules is to try to relate to them as often as possible. Often times people with mental illness act out because they feel like no one understands them, or no one cares. So if you can show that you understand and care, and that they're worth your time, they might feel better and more inclined to think about your side.

Parents, in particular, often have to readjust their hopes or expectations for the future when their child develops a serious mental illness. In the process, you may grieve for the future you thought your child would have. These feelings, though difficult, are totally normal. Just as it's important to maintain your own health as you care for a loved one with mental illness, it's also important to preserve relationships with other family members, including your spouse or partner. If you have a child (whether a minor or an adult) with a serious mental illness, you may find yourself focusing less attention on your other children. Healthy siblings may feel anxiety and frustration at the extra responsibilities they are expected to take on. Try to regularly set aside a little one-on-one time with your other children. Tell them how much you appreciate their help. Clear, honest communication is crucial for all family members. For example, don't be afraid to ask both your ill and healthy children how they feel about the changes to the family. Keeping a line of communication open will help things go more smoothly—both at the time of a new diagnosis, and well into the future.

You can help them in unexpected ways by taking care of them and showing them compassion in different ways. It is hard to live with parents like this but if you really do care, compassion is all they need to realise you and they also need help in their mentality. Mentally - ill parents mean extra work for you so being positive with them will make them positive. In other words, stay optimistic and they will too just like any other normal human being. I hope this message helped you a lot and I wish you a great day :P

Living with a mentaly-ill parent can be challenging and definitely not an easy task. But please remember, you are not alone, you are loved, you are heard, and you are understood. I will provide few tips on how to manage living with a mentally-ill parent. 1. Remember, mentally-ill parents are ill! They do not mean any of their behavior, however, that does not mean it is not damaging to a child. If your parent needs immediate help like if they are a threat to themselves and/or others, contact the police/social services. This might be hurtful to do and might take a lot of courage BUT it is the best for both your parent and you. You will not be in trouble but you will be a brave child that just saved the situation. 2. Create a support group. Whether that's a friend, a teacher, a relative, seek out for help from someone you trust. 3. Consider counseling for your parent, your family and you. Talk to an adult about this. 4. Medical treatment for your parent, again talk to an adult about this. 5. Make sure you are not falling behind with school work or extracurricular activities. If your parent cannot help you with that, talk to your teachers or again your support group. 6. Have a me-day! Have a day each week, where you can go out with your friends, play your favorite sport, sing your heart out, basically, anything that makes you happy. 7. During heated arguments, do not argue back with your parent! Again, if your parent is not a threat to themselves or you, do not argue back. Try to listen to what they are saying and be patient about it. Do not waste time or energy. Remember to take deep breaths and remember they are ill. 8. Give love to your parent and let go of the anger. Again, if your parent is independent and stable and has a support network, consider moving out in few years. If your parent needs your help, seek help from your support group and follow all the above steps. 9. YOU MATTER THE MOST. You need to be emotionally and mentally healthy in order to cope with your parent. This is not your fault and you are heard and loved. Be patient through the process and seek help from your support group. :) 10. 7-cups is always here to listen!

You just have to be very very patient with them. It also depends on the type of mental illness your parent has. It is best not to provoke any ill or strong negative emotions in your parent as they are probably confused and unable to control their own behaviour and/or actions to some or a great extent, and upsetting them may lead to them accidentally hurting themselves or others, depending on how severe their condition it. If you really are unable to deal with it, seek help from other family members to share the load or if you don't have anyone, seek help from social services to help you find someone who can look after or at least watch your parent when you are not home. Senior daycare facilities, nursing homes and retirement villages are other options you may want to consider.