Don't call me NUTS!
Over the course of the last 20 years as a mental health nurse I have seen a lot of true mental illness issues. The staff on board, the public and even the doctors at one time or another has called some clients nuts.
Mental Illness has a very long history of a hidden and shameful illness that has been around since the times the bible was written. It is the most stigma illness in the medical field. It is an illness that no one really wants to talk about.
It is a sad to see someone come into the hospital that is so sick they can not even keep their own body clean, take care of daily functions or have someone to call on the phone to listen – even when they are in control. The families of the mentally ill persons are tired and sometimes just do not bother to call or come visit because they do not know how to handle the behavior.
When someone goes into the hospital for open heart surgery, has a stroke, is involved in a car wreck, has a brain injury that persons name will be placed on the prayer list at churchs. They will get cards, flowers, phone calls and many visits that sometimes wears the patient out. 
When a person is newly diagnosed with bipolar, depression or schizophrenia there are very few flowers a very few cards or even phone calls. The community does not understand the hundreds of years old disease so they do nothing. The person with the mental illness now feels even more confused and more alone.
Now let me make myself clear. I have seen many clients that pluck my last nerve after working a 13 hour shift and I totally understand that families and friends are sometimes at their wits end with this person. However, as they get better and are under better control of their illness whether by using prescription medications or a natural vitamin mixture the mentally ill will heal better if they have a support system to lean on once in a while. If they do not – they do not have the motivation to get better because no one cares. Then the illness really takes over.
Mental health is at the beginning of a new era. Mental illness is being seen as a medical condition like any other condition. The idea that the family or the individual is to blame for mental illness is slowly fading. We are at the stage where people with mental illness can get the same kind of respect, care, and services as other people who have a disability. Training the people who receive care and the people who work in the mental health system about what prejudice is and how to cope with the stigma of mental illness is important.
You know someone who has mental illness. Take the time to learn more about the disease. Instead of reacting in fear get educated and understand more. If you can't stand the thought of seeing them in person – send a card.
This article can also be found on Scrubs Magazine
Angela Brooks has worked in a state-funded psychiatric hospital in Kentucky for 21 years as a nurse, assisting sometimes-dangerous patients who come in shackled and cuffed. At AngelaBrook.com, she offers stories of life on the inside of a psychiatric ward, and the site, as well as her company, offers support for nurses in the mental health field and helps them bring passion into their role at work.
On her BlogTalkRadio show, Mental Happiness with Angela Brooks, she shares some of her experiences “learning to love those others have forsaken” and gives tips on how to bring peace to your own life.
Everyday we share insights, strategies and even some of our biggest secrets to nurse entrepreneurs on our Facebook page! Join the fun and connect with like-minded business owners and Nurses EVERY single day! Click here and "become friends" with Angela's NOW!
* Please note: I am not here to CURE, DIAGNOSE, Treat or suggest replacements for what a doctor prescribes. The names used in this post are not the real names of the people being mentioned – I am sharing my nursing adventures with you.
What Did You Think?
Let us know your thoughts on today's issue.
Post your comments below.
Remember – sharing is caring…
Are we connected on Twitter? | Come write on my Facebook Page wall!
Pingback: When you Look in the Mirror, do you Like What you See? | Income At Home
Hello Angela,
I enjoyed reading your posts on mental illness. I am a director at a community mental health center and appreciate your contributions! What I have been amazed at lately is the power of peer support. Consumer opperated groups have really contributed to recovery. Thanks for sharing!
Cheryl
Pingback: Mental Health: Sticks, Stones, and Hurtful Words | Income At Home | Drinkact-ACT Energy drink | Mental Health Living |
Pingback: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse | Income At Home|Energy Drinks|ACT Energy Drink |Mental Health Living |
Pingback: Has Her world gone Mad? | Mental Happiness with Angela Brooks
Pingback: The Alzheimer’s Disease
Thanks for this post. The stigma about mental illness needs to be replaced with an informed, compassionate and proactive society. When mental illness strikes a family, that family does need to be able to draw support from those around them and the community, rather than hiding in shame. There has been significant improvement in the last 40 years, but not nearly enough. Glenn Close, through her involvement with BringChange2Mind.org has done work to lift the silence about the reality of the common occurrence of mental illness. I appreciate articles like yours that promote an accepting and enlightened awareness that a large segment of our population is suffering behind closed doors, afraid of the fall-out that goes with exposing their illness.
i read this last night … nice commentary … and i have a person in my life that is ill and will drive you up the wall … but what do you do when a person refuses to treat an illness they know they have? that's the frustrating part for me.
Thank you Cyndee – Yes it long over due for people to understand that when people are sick no matter what illness it is. They need support. Sometimes they are very hard to love when they are really sick – but they do need it.
Josh it is so hard to love someone and take care of them when they will not make any effort to help themselves. The oils are great to diffuse in the house around them for calming and focus.
I agree with Josh. There are many illnesses and I know family members who have tried with super human efforts to cope, sympathize and live with a person with a diagnosed mental illness and if that person does not seek treatment, it falls on those who would support them if only it were not so agonizing and demanding. Where is support for them? If you live in a state where you have no power to seek treatment or institutionalization on behalf of a person incapable of making such decisions–you now become a spectator to such destructive behavior that you are now in danger of losing control. Imagine that feeling of helplessness? There is no question mental illness exists and is a devestating diagnosis for the patient and requires intensive treatment to control and too often the fear of admitting it exists outweighs seeking help. But, that diagnosis affects every family member and if the behavior is dangerous or destrcutive, the repercussions go well beyond the patient.
Yes Debbie – It is super hard when you have someone you love that is sick. You can only go so far out on the limb for them. Until they have to step up and help themselves. There is family support – but not enough. It effects the whole family, and yes it is hard to sit back and watch.
Sooo true…I agree with all of you. Those of us who love someone with a mental illness are as much victims …to use a hated word….as the patient with the diagnosis. And honestly? If the person needing the treatment refuses it…we certainly can't do a lot for him. There have to be some sort of boundaries. I also need to say, illnesses like schizophrenia are beyond my experience. I can't know what that's like. My experience is with a loved one with bipolar disorder, and another with borderline personality. And in those case, boundaries have been necessary to protect the family and to require him/her to seek treatment, or cooperate with it, once it is started. Even when an ill person is being treated, in many cases there are still lots of terribly bad days. We, as family and friends of ill people, need support, people to talk to…to bounce ideas off… or to be given loving support ourselves for just a little while. Our first job honestly has to be to take care of ourselves or we become drained and can do nothing for the one who is sick.
Very good points Cyndee! As the family – love one – care giver you have to take care of you first. Until the person becomes in danger to himself or others. The court system can not even step in.