It is a well know fact that family members trying to cope
with a loved one struggling with any type of mental disorders will have to
grapple with a whole range of powerful and often unpleasant emotions that
leaves them mentally and physically exhausted.
Like schizophrenia, Obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD)
is a difficult illness to manage and just like anxiety disorders, caregivers
will have sleepless nights worrying about their charges. There have been cases when OCD suffers cause
serious health problems not just for their caregivers, but to the neighbours as
well. Then, because they feel unclean,
they will waste water and wash themselves repeatedly causing the water bills to
shoot sky high.
Besides anxiety disorders and OCD affecting our younger
generation, depression and dementia hits the older folks and this is why it is
imperative that a staunch support system be put in place.
For caregivers who are in this journey for the very first
time, they will be lost in the woods; can become vulnerable into falling into
depression and giving up on life or even abandoning their stricken ones.
Often, one of the best support comes from people who have
walked in the shoes of caregivers. Since there is a Peer Specialist scheme
already in place, why not introduce a Caregiver Specialist scheme? These are
people who have proven to be resilient in lending support and motivating family
members caring for loved ones with mental illness.
With clinical support from the psychiatrists, patient
support from Peer Specialist and finally support from Caregiver Specialists for
caregivers, the structural support for the mentally ill becomes wholesome and
very holistic.
RAYMOND ANTHONY
FERNANDO
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