How do I live with a mentally-ill parent?

Living with a mentally-ill parent is always difficult, though it varies based on person to person and illness to illness. In my experience, the two most important things to have are compassion and boundaries, though not necessarily in that order. You need to be able to take care of yourself and protect yourself from hurtful actions or behaviors that can be spurred on by mental illness, especially in a person that you are supposed to be able to rely on and trust fully. However, with mental illness, it can be hard for a parent to really fully adopt that role all of the time. You probably have already unknowingly developed strategies to help cope with some of their mentally ill behaviors, but creating some intentional strategies might prove to be more helpful or healthy. The other part is that it is important to remember compassion for yourself and for your mentally-ill parent. Grappling with mental illness is at the very least a challenge, and people can respond to that on a spectrum from lashing out to completely withdrawing. Treating them with compassion, understanding that you aren't to blame but instead it is their own mental illness, can help avoid hurt feelings by highlighting that the source of the problem isn't you, and it isn't even the parent acting intentionally, but instead is the illness.

Growing up with a mentally-ill parent is not at all easy. It makes it really difficult to distinguish when you can and cannot be a kid due to feeling like you need to be there or fix things for the parent. One of the things that has personally helped me through this time in my life was allowing myself to realize that My parent was not my responsibility and neither was their mental illness. By repeating this to your self, it can allow your brain to be able to focus its attention back onto you and your needs. You cannot be there for someone mentally, physically or emotionally if you are not taking care of yourself in those same areas.

All you can do is learn how to support them, even if they don't want you to show them that. There are a lot of support groups for people who are the major supporters of those with mental illnesses. If those don't work, you still need to remember to look after yourself and believe that you can be the best person that you can be! You are strong for just wanting to look out for your parent, I'm sorry if they don't see that in you, but there will always be someone who will! Take the time to look after yourself, even if only for a few moments on a daily basis!

I personally do lots of self-care: watch movies, draw, eat, shower, since having a parent with anxiety is very draining. I need to stay focused and relaxed as their demands for me are usually more than I can take. Enforcing boundaries is important as well, but I'd advise you to do it when they feel good, and to start them small. It's hard to do so when they're in a crisis and you might end up feeling hurt. Lastly, lean more on your support system: friends, counselors, game groups. These are the people who give you energy and hope when things get tough. You can't heal a parent with such issues, but you could do things for yourself that would make the situation better.

Living with a mentally-ill parent is not easy and you have all of my support. First of all, understanding that you don't have to take on the role of a 'nurse', taking care of mentally-ill parent 24h as if you were their parent. Reaching out to some experts on the field would be ideal, that way the parent can get the help that they need, and deserve and you won't burn out with an issue bigger that you can handle. Second, please take care of yourself too. Make sure to nurture real relationships and hobbies outside the family (having a support group can make a big difference). Your well-being counts and it's important. If you're struggling and need someone willing to listen, feel free to message me anytime :) Take care, I believe in you.

Do your best to be kind and patient with them and put yourself in their shoes. How would you want your child to treat you if you were mentally ill? It's always good to put yourself in their shoes and try to do research on their mental illness so that you can better understand the situation that they are in. Ask them how they want to be treated and if there is anything that you can do to help. Take some time to yourself if you feel overwhelmed with the situation. It's okay to need help yourself as well.

what I would do is to have a way of escape whether it be music or video games though the situation could very likely vary considering they are your parent choose something that will help you mentally physically and emotionally calm yourself as to not act out irrationally however the best option is for me to recommend you to a therapist to get a professional and proper care. I truly am sorry for this inconvenience but as your listener, I want to make sure that you get the help you need and because I am not fully qualified to do so I shall only do what I can do

When I was growing up, I was dealing with a mentally ill, great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and extended family such as aunts a uncles all on my mother's side. I didn't know what mental illness was. It was unspoken, taboo to treat, and went undiagnosed with no outside help. There were no resources added anywhere within the family. I would suggest to read up on what they are diagnosed with? Do you have anyone that you can talk to? I believe educate yourself on various ways to cope and to adjust to the mentally-ill parent. There are lots of videos available as well lots of reading material. Your doctor or another family member might be able to steer you in the right direction. Sit down and talk to your parent with the mental illness. Try not to ask what's wrong with you, but ask, what happened to you. You may gain more insight then you thought. Ask how you can help. Always remember that you can't fix someone, and they can't just snap out of it. You could also contact your mental health unit within your community or city and they can help you to find the right resources to give you the tools you need. Change doesn't happen overnight. Sometimes it can take quite some time to deal with the mental illness. Some people have this medical issue for life but there is help available as individuals, and as a whole family. Check things out, and be patient whenever possible.

It is not an easy task to live with a mentally challenged parent. It requires some amount of prepartion and arrangements- physically, mentally and socio-economically from your end. Stay afloat from the societal impressions/opinions that are unhelpfull, rather concentrate on your free-will responsibility towards your dear parent. Remember such parents are vulnerable and do not have the required capacity to support themselves or you in decision making. You need to be pro-active and empathetic towards their feelings and requirements at al levels. Make sure that their medical requirements, visit to counsellor/psychiatric clinic needs are regulalry followed up. If possible join groups that support Care givers. Share , talk with family members, relatives and friends (whoever gives a ear) on your experinces in handling such parents. If possible write a journal and thank the Divine for the strength , willpower and gratitude that is instilled in you to love and care for your parents. This is the least effort we can give back to our parents who gave us birth and an opportunity to experince the jounery of Life. Cheers !!.

I personally have a mentally-ill parent myself and it can be difficult at times to see someone we love go through something like that, especially since we can't "cure" our loved one. I've learned that self-care and overall, just being kind to myself is really important! It can also be helpful to have open conversations with your loved ones (including your mentally-ill parent) about how this is impacting you so you can get support as well. Your mental health matters as well and it's important to make sure you are supported too! I struggle with mental illness myself, and have really valued the conversations my family members have had with me about how my illness makes them feel (of course phrasing what you say compassionately is really key!!) I really hope this helps!