Name: Clare Mariz A.

Clemen

Class: KNAPWEED (SAT-SUN 1-6PM)

Reflection on Caring for Client's

with Mental Disabilities

Having a mental illness can affect a person’s family and friends in many ways. As their relative,
partner or friend, your experience will depend on your relationship with the person and their specific
mental health condition.

It’s normal to feel a range of emotions when someone you care about is diagnosed with a mental
illness, including: fear, confusion, guilt, shame, uncertainty. Following their diagnosis, recovery from
mental illness can be a process. People with mental illness may experience fluctuations in their
symptoms and their ability to function in everyday life, depending on their stage of treatment and
recovery. It’s normal for your role and feelings to change depending on their state of health.

First thing to consider is to always know our patient so we can create the appropriate plan of care that
will guide both the physical and emotional care of the person. Before my grandmother passed, I was one
of her caretakers. I am quite familiar already with things she wants and doesn't want to do. Although I
am sometimes struggling with her changes in moods and attitudes, I am quite learning and getting
better at it through time. As a family, I am always unto her safety & comfort. Everytime I notice that
something different is happening, like in some instances, she sometimes forgets the identities of the
people around her, and that doesn't do any good to her, since she always gets stubborn around us and
would not allow us to do anything to her. I started to slow talk and just explain to her about the
procedures we are about to take on her. Being calm & extreme patience is the key.

There were also times that she experienced hallucinations or seeing things that are non-existent or
just simply not real, in those moments I just simply listened to her and just let her do the talking. Then,
sudden mood swings occur most of the time, in which a definite struggle for me everytime, and again
best solution is just to always relax and be calm, be patient, listen to her and try to understand the
situation and just do not add to the trouble she's experiencing as this will just give discomfort to her and
nothing would be resolved.

It can be very difficult and heart-wrenching to see a loved one struggling with symptoms of mental
illness. And often it can be hard to know how to best help and support your loved one. Every individual
is different and situations vary greatly. The person may have a specific diagnosis, or you may just have
concerns about the way a person has been talking and behaving. You know your loved one and may
have an understanding of what approach or support will be most helpful.

Someone exhibiting these signs or having these experiences does not necessarily mean the person
has a mental health problem, the symptoms could also be related to other issues or problems. But
following up with an evaluation from a medical professional could help address any problems and
prevent more serious symptoms from developing.