Looking After Yourself

Looking After Yourself

Caring for someone with a mental illness can be very stressful, you must see to your own needs as well as the needs of the patient. Self-care is the essence of the Carers Associations message to family and friends. So remember:

1. Enjoy the good days
2. Keep your sense of humour
3. Focus on the positives, however small and however few
4. Involve yourself with normality as much as possible
5. Remember the equally valid needs of your healthy family members
6. Remain in control of your life and home
7. Let go of your sick adult relative. This does not mean abandonment
8. Let go of guilt
9. Become better informed
10. Take heart. There is hope. YOU ARE NOT ALONE