How to Help a Spouse with a Mental Illness

Dealing with a mental illness in the family can be scary. Some people find it shameful or embarrassing. Other people try to deny that a problem exists. Being diagnosed with a mental illness is a lot like being diagnosed with a physical health problem. It requires treatment and ongoing monitoring to manage the symptoms. If your spouse has been diagnosed with a mental illness it is important to learn how to be supportive and how to manage your own stress levels.

There’s a large range of mental illnesses. Common mental illnesses are mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder. Their severity can range from mild to severe. Other mental illnesses include anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder does affect adults, although it is usually talked about more commonly with children. Schizophrenia is often diagnosed in young adulthood. There are many other mental illnesses as well but these are some of the more common ones.

If your spouse has been diagnosed with a mental illness, it is important for you to educate yourself. Learn all you can about the illness. It is important for you to know what to expect, what symptoms to be on the lookout for, and what treatment options are available. Although you shouldn’t allow your spouse to use a mental illness as an excuse for bad behaviors, it can help you to better understand why your spouse behaves in a certain way. Your spouse may have difficulty thinking clearly and making decisions, so the more you know, the better equipped you will be to help.

Attend appointments with your spouse. Treatment for mental illness may include medication, individual therapy, group therapy, or other services. Offer to take your spouse to appointments and attend any appointments that may be appropriate. A professional may appreciate your input on symptoms you are seeing and may also want to give you information on your spouse’s treatment.

It is also important to seek support for yourself. Seek out support groups for people with a spouse with a mental illness. This can allow you to have other people to talk to about the issues you may be experiencing. It can help you manage your own emotions and cope with some of the problems you may be experiencing. Individual therapy for yourself may also be an option to help you learn how to cope with your own feelings and learn how to help your spouse.

Seek support from friends and family for support with practical issues. If your spouse has severe depression, you may need help with childcare. Sometimes people become too depressed to safely supervise children. Or if your spouse’s anxiety is preventing him from being able to drive, finding support from family or friends to assist with transportation can be helpful.

Often, people don’t want to talk to anyone about a family’s problem with mental illness. However, it’s important to remember that being diagnosed with a mental illness can happen to anyone. Just like a person may be diagnosed with diabetes, they can also be diagnosed with depression. Keeping a mental illness a secret is not helpful and can cause more stress and isolation for the family.

Many mental illnesses are treatable but not curable. However, with appropriate treatment, many people are able to eliminate the majority of their symptoms. It is important to offer ongoing monitoring and support to a person with a mental illness to encourage them to follow through with their treatment. Relapse is a common part of mental illness and being prepared to deal with this is imperative.

Many people with mental illnesses lead full and rich lives. With appropriate support and treatment, your marriage can thrive despite a mental illness. It is important to deal with it together.

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