Reader's Posts
If you, or someone you know, is suffering from a mental illness feel free to ask for advice.
Reader Post Three
Reader Post:My real mum and dad died when I was a baby so I was raised by my grandmother. I love her so much, she’s been the best mum in the world to me. She’s always been there for me. Last year she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, so now she has to live in a rest home with all these crazy old people. I hate it. I wish I could take care of her but sometimes when I visit her, she doesn’t even know who I am. It makes me so upset and I can’t stop crying afterwards. Why is this happening to me?
- Helpless
Response:
Dear helpless,
There’s no reason why some things happen to certain people, I know it’s enormously difficult to have someone you care so much about suffering from a disease that you can’t cure. It’s an incurable, and ironically also the most common, form of dementia. It’s a progressive disease that impairs on higher brain functions such as memory, thoughts and behaviour. While you can’t cure her, you can make things easier for her, just keep that in mind when you visit her. You can ease some suffering from her by simply being there for her, through listening to her, helping her with walking, etc. Simple things like these will help both of you deal with alzheimers. It’s been scientifically proven that having family around helps maintain lucidity. If you continue visiting her, she might retain some lucidity for a short period of time. But, while she won’t maintain it for long, it’s worth the pain you’re going through now. It’d be a good idea to talk to a doctor about your grandmother’s condition, and some medical treatments that are available that might help this condition.
I hope this has been helpful to you, and I wish both you and your grandmother all the best.
Reader Post Two
Reader Post:
Hello. I wrote to tell my growing concerns about my best friend. Lately, she has been keeping herself drawn away from others and when we do have contact, all she’s doing is cleaning everything up, disinfecting her whole house and not leaving her house unless it’s absolutely necessary. She also doesn’t like to talk as much as she did before when she used to be bubbly, and throws a fit if any of us make comments about how she’s changing. I just don’t know what to do. It’s only been going on for two weeks and I’m already in need of help.
Worried
Response:Hello Worried. Those alienating and obsessive symptoms your friend is starting to show are, believe it or not, not very rare. It is highly likely that she has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Many people each year are diagnosed with OCD, and it isn’t difficult to cure. She is most likely aware of her growing problems, which could make her even more paranoid. The best way to diagnose with someone who has OCD to talk to them calmly, discuss their problems – slowly – and make sure they know they have an issue themselves, then get them to go to therapy. But remember, you have to support your friend all the while if you want her to get better. It may take time, but you’ll get there. Hope this helps.
Reader Post One
Reader Post: Hi. I hope you can help me because I’m so worried about my friend. She has been really quiet lately, and has been sitting by herself at lunchtime instead of with our group. She cries all the time and she is always having days off school because she can’t get out of bed. I don’t know what to say to her. Please help me.
Concerned Mate
Response: Hi.
If your friend is crying a lot; wanting to be alone; not getting up and is quiet, she may be having the not uncommon symptoms of depression. The best thing to do is offer support and kindness. Listen to her, help her with work (don’t do it for her, though!) and sports and most importantly, do not insult her-even if it is a joke- victims of depression can be extremely sensitive. This sort of thing is like caring for someone full-time, but if you are ready for that responsibility (It would not be your fault if she got worse), then try to cheer your friend up. Encourage her to see a doctor or psychiatrist, do plenty of regular exercise and don’t give up hope. Remember, there are some helpful links on this page that can point you in the right direction.
I hope this helps, and good luck!