MAPS: A Guide to Managing Adult Psychiatric Symptoms for ...

MAPS: A Guide to Managing Adult Psychiatric Symptoms for Family Members and Friends

Sponsored by a Clinical Education Grant through the VISN 16 South Central Mental Illness, Research, and Clinical Center

Developed by Kristen H. Sorocco, Ph.D., Thomas Teasdale, Dr.P.H., and Michelle D. Sherman, Ph.D.

How does one "Manage Adult Psychiatric Symptoms (MAPS)?"

This educational packet is designed to give family members and close family friends a better understanding of how to support someone with a mental illness and how you can take care of themselves. The material here stresses the important role that family members and close family friends can play in the successful management of a mental health disorder.

Included in this packet you will find: ? Information on mental health diagnoses ? Tips on how to care for someone with a mental health

problem

? Suggestions on how to care for yourself and your family ? Where and how to get help

VA Procedures for Sharing Information with Family and Friends:

To assist someone with the management of a mental illness family members and friends need to be able to communicate with the veteran's provider. The best way to ensure that a provider can share information with a family member or friend is to obtain the veteran's written authorization (or oral consent if you are attending a meeting at the clinic with the veteran). This will assure that the veteran and clinician have a shared understanding of the purpose of the information sharing as well as the information to be shared.

Different VAs may differ on procedures needed to share information with family and friends. Talk with providers to determine the steps you need to take at your veteran's VA.

List the steps you need to take for information to be shared with you at your veteran's VA: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

What is Mental Illness

and Can it be Managed?

? A mental health problem is similar to a physical health problem.

? Mental health problems can be managed successfully.

? Treatment for mental health problems is more successful when you have support from a family member or friend.

? Family members can be involved in treatment and can go to some of the Veteran's appointments with the Veteran's permission.

? Awareness of symptoms of mental health diagnoses is key to helping someone to manage a mental health problem. Mental health diagnoses can only be made by a healthcare provider.

? Ask providers about Evidence Based Practices for treating mental health disorder. Often a combination of treatments, medication and therapy, is needed in addition to support from family and friends. A veteran should see their provider when there is an increase in symptoms.

Common Mood Disorders

DISORDER

DEFINITION

SYMPTOMS

TREATMENT

Depression

Bipolar Disorder (ManicDepression)

A serious medical illness that ?

negatively affects how you feel, ?

the way you think, and how you ?

act (APA, 2005).

?

? ?

?

Sadness Loss of interest in things

Changes in sleep or appetite Feeling tired, restlessness, or irritable Feelings of worthlessness or guilt Difficulty thinking and making decisions Thoughts of death or suicide

A brain disorder that causes dramatic changes in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function (APA, 2005).

Manic Phase ? Extreme happiness ? Sudden extreme irritability or rage ? Grandiose illusions ? Unrealistic beliefs in their abilities (i.e., not able

to get hurt) ? Excessively risky behaviors

? Uncontrollable racing thoughts or rapid speech ? Less need for sleep Depressive Phase ? May experience symptoms as listed above for

depression

1. Antidepressant medications 2. Individual or group therapy 3. Combination of both

Most people experience relief with treatment.

1. Medication 2. Therapy 3. Combinations of both

Continuous long-term treatment is recommended since bipolar disorder is a recurrent illness.

Common Anxiety Disorders

DISORDER Generalized Anxiety

Disorder (GAD)

DEFINITION

Chronic worry (six months or longer) without a cause or more than is necessary given the situation.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Symptoms that can occur after an individual has experienced, witnessed, or participated in a traumatic event (e.g., war, sexual abuse, accident).

SYMPTOMS ? Restlessness ? Sleep problems ? Headaches

TREATMENT

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy

2. Relaxation techniques

3. Biofeedback

? Muscle tension

4. Medication

? Trembling

? Avoidance of situations that 1. Cognitive behavioral therapy

remind them of the event 2. Relaxation techniques

? Constantly relive the event 3. Support from family & friends

? Shut down emotionally

4. Medications

? Recurring nightmares ? Exaggerated startle reactions ? Difficulty concentrating

? Sleep problems

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