Being a parent of someone with a severe and persistent mental illness

It’s difficult to be diagnosed with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and major depressive disorder. It’s also difficult as a parent to cope with the idea that your child has a mental illness. Initially, what occurs is re-adjusting your hopes and dreams you had for your child. As this happens you may grieve the future you thought your child would have.

In cases like this as parents it is important to be honest with yourself and the rest of your family members about what is occurring with your child. Also, it is important to be open about it with your child who is now diagnosed with the mental illness. Reason being is that they may also be grieving their own hopes and dreams for themselves.

Upon the diagnosis of your child it is important to do the following:

1. Learn as much as you can about the mental illness
2. Make sure that your child gets connected with a psychiatrist and a therapist
3. Know what to do in the case of a crisis or mental health emergency
4. Take care of yourself
5. Plan for their future