Displaying items by tag: diagnosis

Sometimes a person may be showing signs of mental health issues, but chooses not to seek treatment. 

There are a variety of reasons why this happens. The symptoms of psychotic illnesses such as Schizophrenia, for example, may involve delusions, hallucinations, and disturbance to thinking processes – these can make it difficult for the person to realise or acknowledge that they have a mental illness and need help. The person may have stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness, which make it difficult to acknowledge the need for help. Or they may accept they have an illness, but not want to take medication, with the possible side-effects involved.

Whatever the reason, it may be that you are feeling concerned about their mental health, distress, or abiilty to manage their daily life. 

Encourage the person to access treatment on their own volition and with your support. Here are some strategies to make communicating your concerns easier and hopefully more effective:

• Dedicate a conversation to your concerns. Choose a time and a place that is suitable for both of you. A time when you are both calm and when you feel the person is most likely to be receptive and cooperative.
• Plan what you are going to say but prepare to be flexible.
• To set this up you might open with ‘I’d like to talk something over with you that’s been worrying me. Is this a good time or shall we talk later?’
• Do your best to speak in a calm, quiet voice. Try to avoid expressing any frustration that will interfere with the person’s ability to hear what you are saying. Do not get drawn into an argument about the content of delusions, but focus on practical help that is available.
• Emphasise talking about changes and symptoms rather than a disorder. Talking about a disorder can often feel stigmatising and prevent a person from engaging.
• It can be helpful to focus on aspects that the person feels the most comfortable talking about. For example ‘I know you’ve been having trouble sleeping and concentrating lately, can we talk about that?’
• Be patient, it may take a while for the person to process what you are saying and respond to your concerns.
• Do not underestimate the power of listening. Giving the person space to talk and letting them know that they have been heard is a valuable and supportive contribution.
• Remember that you do not have to offer immediate solutions.
• Remaining calm and supportive during this conversation will make it more likely that the person will be willing to talk again.
• Offer to make an appointment for them and suggest that you or another relative or a friend accompanies them.

What if they still won’t accept help?

If the person is still reluctant to acknowledge a problem or to see a mental health professional, ask what is stopping them. Once you know what they are worried about, work together to find solutions to overcome these barriers. For example:

• Sometimes people don’t want to see a doctor because they feel frightened, anxious or angry, that others are against them, or that they are being criticised. You can help by encouraging everyone involved to think of the doctor as someone who can help and who will not judge them.
• Sometimes people may have trouble putting their thoughts together to explain their problems, they might be reluctant to talk about how they feel, or not realise they are ill. In this case, you could discuss the situation with the doctor beforehand, writing down some notes about your concerns as clearly as possible in advance.

Remember that if at all possible it is best for the person involved to voluntarily seek help.

Don’t worry if your first attempt to talk isn’t successful. An initial conversation may plant the seed of seeking help in the person’s mind. By showing that you care and are not going to judge them, they will be more likely to come to you when they do decide to seek help.

If there is outright resistance to the idea of getting medical help, talk to the doctor yourself to work out a plan. The doctor may be able to visit the person at home to make an assessment. If this is not possible, they should still be able to tell you where to get help and support – for the person as well as others who are worried.

Someone refusing to acknowledge a problem or accept treatment can place family members and friends under significant strain, especially if the person is experiencing active symptoms. Don't think you have to deal with this situation alone, contact local mental health services, a helpline or carer organisation for advice and support.

Key services providing the treatment and support needed to recover as well as possible and be able to get on with life again.

Your local GP

A general practitioner (GP) is the important first port of call if you have any concerns about mental or physical health. GPs see people about their mental health every day and are very familiar with symptoms and treatments. Be completely frank about what is worrying you. It also helps to book a longer appointment so there is time to talk, and take some notes along too. The more information the doctor has, the better they can help. The GP can then prescribe a Mental Health Plan. This may include referral to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other relevant clinician.

Clinical support

Clinical support is essential to treat symptoms. It is provided by a range of health professionals and services.

Psychologists

For people affected by anxiety and depressive disorders, the referral will often be to a psychologist (or other suitably-qualified health professional) who can provide psychological or ‘talking’ therapy. This form of treatment involves working with the therapist to examine situations related to distressed feelings and thoughts, and learning new ways of managing these. (Referrals from a GP are mostly covered by Medicare. A privately-organised appointment will need to be paid personally.)

Psychiatrists

People affected by any of the whole range of mental health problems may be referred to a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a doctor who has additional qualifications in helping people with mental health problems. As well as psychological therapy, a psychiatrist can prescribe medications if needed and give referrals to other support services.

Community mental health services

People with psychotic conditions such as Schizophrenia, with Personality disorders, and some other conditions usually receive treatment in the public mental health system. These provide access through community mental health service clinics to a range of health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and others. Ask about having a case manager. Case managers can coordinate clinical and psychosocial treatments, provide information, education and support to the whole family, as well as referral to community agencies.

Hospitals

People only need in-patient care in a hospital when they are acutely unwell and cannot be treated effectively while living at home. This is usually for a period of days or weeks only, until symptoms respond to treatment. If help is needed urgently, call the psychiatrist or case manager (or a crisis assessment team after hours), and they can arrange for assessment and hospitalisation if necessary. People covered by health insurance may also be able to stay in a private psychiatric hospital.) See Treatments to find out more.

Community support

Ongoing support in the community can make all the difference when recovering from an episode of mental illness.

Rehabilitation and support programs

Run by community mental health support services, these programs are based around individual support, as well as a range of activities (such as walking, writing, meditation) or special groups (such as young peoples’ groups, women’s groups, cultural/language groups). They may provide structured programs where you can learn new skills to help you get back on your feet again, while meeting others in a similar situation. Your local community mental health service or council should be able to direct you to community mental health support services in your local area.

Financial support

People seriously affected by mental illnesses may be eligible for financial assistance (such as a Disability Pension or other allowance). To find out if you are entitled, contact the Disability Support Worker at your local Centrelink.

Employment

Specialist disability employment services are available to help people affected by psychiatric and other disabilities return to work. For assessment and referral to one of these, contact the Disability Support Worker at your local Centrelink.

Accommodation

There are many different types of accommodation available which vary in the level of support provided. To find out more about accommodation options, contact your community mental health service or local council.

Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs)

Ask your case manager or doctor  whether there is a PHaMs program in your area which can provide a Personal Helper to visit you regularly to help with daily activities and accessing local services.

Peer support

Peer support groups provide a place to meet with others in a similar situation or with similar illnesses in a relaxed, non-judgemental environment. Your local community mental health service should be able to direct you to your nearest group. The SANE Forums are an online space where you can engage with others in this way to exchange experiences, information and tips, and provide mutual support. The Forums are available 24/7 and are safe, anonymous, and moderated service provided by SANE in partnership with community mental health support services all around Australia.

Support for family and friends

Family and friends often provide essential support as carers. They need help to take care of themselves as well as to provide support.

Carer support agencies

There are organisations in every State and Territory to help carers, providing support, information and education. Contact the SANE Help Centre on 1800 18 SANE (7263) for details.

Peer support for carers

Peer support groups provide a place to meet with other carers in a relaxed, non-judgmental environment. The local community mental health service should be able to direct you to your nearest group. The SANE Forums are an online space where you can engage with other carers in this way to exchange experiences, information and tips, and provide mutual support. The Forums are available 24/7 and are safe, anonymous, and moderated service provided by SANE in partnership with community mental health support services all around Australia.

Financial Assistance

Carers may be eligible for a Carer Allowance. To find out more, contact the Disability Support Worker at your local Centrelink.

Respite

Carers Australia and other agencies have programs for carers needing a short or longer period of respite, a break from the caring role. See Families and carers for more or contact the SANE Helpline at www.sane.org or 1800 18 SANE (7263).

Experiencing a mental illness is like a journey with a series of stages. Understanding the different impact of these stages helps us to manage them better and move towards recovery.

The beginning

When a mental health problem develops, it can go undiagnosed for months, or even years in some cases. It feels just part of who you are. In a way that’s right. It is. But that’s only because how you currently feel and think are affected by an illness. Just as feeling weary all the time may be a sign of thyroid deficiency, then feeling unduly anxious, depressed, or distressed a lot of time may be a sign of mental health problem that needs help. In some cases, the symptoms can also feel traumatic and deeply confusing, for example when someone experiences a psychotic episode. This is often highly distressing for the person’s family and friends too, of course.

It doesn’t have to be like this. 

Reaching out and talking to a trusted person is the first step to seeing a doctor for an assessment and diagnosis. With a diagnosis, treatment can begin to start you on the road to recovery.

Diagnosis

Receiving a diagnosis is a big step which opens the door to getting help. Many people say it’s a relief that how they’ve been feeling has a name and can be treated. Remember though, a diagnosis is just that, a name. It describes a condition which is affecting you, but it doesn’t define who you are. A person may be affected by Depression or Schizophrenia, for example, but that doesn’t mean they can be called a ‘depressive’ or ‘schizophrenic’ as though there were no more to them than that.

The other big step after a diagnosis is to accept and work on recovery rather than to deny it. Sometimes a diagnosis can change when a doctor gets a better understanding of your condition. Your experience no different, of course, but this does mean that the treatment can be fine-tuned to help you better. It’s all the more important, then, that you give the doctor as much information as possible about your symptoms, so that the diagnosis can be as accurate as possible.

Living with a mental illness is not always a simple, one-way journey.

Treatment

Treatment for mental health problems usually involves psychotherapy or medication, or a combination of the two. When talking to your doctor or other therapist, be as frank and open as possible about how you are feeling. Hold nothing back and trust the process.

At its best, psychotherapy can be a deeply rewarding and life-changing experience, as well as helping to relieve and manage symptoms. Be clear about how the treatment is helping and also about the side-effects of any medication which has been prescribed. When starting a medication, there may be unnerving side-effects such as trembling and feeling feverish which last a day or so before disappearing.

Discuss these with the doctor beforehand, to be prepared, and let them know if the side-effects persist, so that the dosage or prescription can be changed. The best progress is made when you are an active partner in your treatment, working with the doctor or therapist. See Treatments to find out more.

Recovery

There is no simple ‘cure’ for mental illness. Treatments are generally effective however in managing and reducing the impact of symptoms. Whatever the diagnosis, recovering from an episode of mental illness means more than clinical treatment. You play an essential part yourself in getting better. For some, this means being careful about early warning signs, avoiding triggers, and developing new habits of behaviour. For others, it can be helpful to draw on services in the community, such as supported accommodation, a rehabilitation program, and help with getting back to work or education.

Staying connected with other people is an important contribution to getting better. The SANE Forums are an online space where you can engage with others to exchange experiences, information and tips, and provide mutual support. The Forums are available 24/7 and are a safe, anonymous, and moderated service provided by SANE in partnership with community mental health support services all around Australia.

Living with a mental illness is not always a simple, one-way journey. There may be ‘bumps’ along the way, and a period of wellness can be followed by a relapse when more active treatment is required again. This is to be expected as a normal part of life. Each time it happens is an opportunity to learn how to be more alert for warning signs of becoming ill,  how to get help sooner, and manage the symptoms better.

The first steps are often the hardest in life

That’s true when you develop a mental health problem too. Instead of obvious physical symptoms, like a rash or a broken bone, it’s your feelings, your way of thinking, and even your behaviour which is affected. It’s no wonder that when people first experience symptoms – anxiety, depression, or psychotic symptoms, for example – they often think, ‘that’s just how life is – nobody else sees it.’ Having severe symptoms for the first time can be a disturbing and traumatic experience too. Many mental health problems first become obvious in late teens or early twenties, and it is especially challenging to be told at that age you have a condition which may need to be managed for the rest of your life. It’s no wonder that many people are reluctant to see a doctor, fearful of being told they have a mental illness. This fear and misunderstanding about oneself can be the most harmful form of stigma, causing delays in treatment and accessing support. This situation is confusing and distressing for family and friends too, and it’s important they get help for themselves as well.

Many people say that receiving a diagnosis is a relief – that how they’ve been feeling finally has a reason and a name, and can be treated. Accepting that one has a mental health problem and needs help is the courageous first big step to take. Everything else follows from that.

The next steps

Understand – find out as much as possible about your condition, what can trigger symptoms, the best treatments, and how to help yourself. Knowledge is power. Find out more.

Connect – make an effort to talk to others and keep up connections with family and friends, even if you don’t feel like it sometimes. There are days when people are the best medicine. Find out more.

Find your path – as well as getting the best treatments you can, discover what support is available in the community that suits your individual needs. We are all different and it’s important to find the kind of support that helps you best at any one time. Find out more.

Understanding your condition, staying connected with other people, and accessing the best treatment and support, will not only help you recover from symptoms more quickly, you will also feel more in control and better able to get on with your life again.