Mental health problems can cause stress and impact on your daily life. Managing these challenges can be a long and difficult process. Learning to cope in a healthy way can help you and the people around you. You will perhaps feel a range of emotions, such as fear, anger, sadness and worry. These are normal responses to a stressful situation, however letting them take over can have negative consequences. You should also avoid negative information, such as watching too much TV or social media. This will prevent you from getting caught up in rumours and arguments, or from worrying too much about the future.
You should try to keep up with your usual routines, such as sleeping, eating and exercising. A healthy diet and exercise will help you to feel good. It can be useful to talk to a therapist about your feelings and problems, as this may help you manage them. You can find a therapist through your doctor or local mental health service. It is important that you find someone who feels right for you, so you should be prepared to meet with a few professionals until you find the one who is best suited to you and your needs.
Choosing healthy ways of dealing with stress can help you feel better and improve your relationship with the people in your life. There are different types of coping skills, such as problem-centred coping (dealing with external factors that may be stressors) and emotion-focused coping (dealing with internal feelings). Unhealthy coping strategies can include drinking or using drugs, overeating, or self-harm. These coping mechanisms may make you feel better in the short term, but they can have serious health, legal and financial consequences.
Many families struggle to come to terms with the diagnosis of a family member with a mental illness. They can often feel isolated and lonely as a result of this. If you can, try to find a support group for families of people with mental illness. There are often local groups, and you can also find online communities. To find out more about Mental Health Training Courses by visiting Tidal Training
Educating yourself about your loved one’s illness can also be helpful, as this will allow you to calm feelings of anger, guilt, resentment and fear. You can find out more about your loved one’s condition by speaking to a mental health professional or researching online. You can then share what you have learned with others in your family.