Life, when we feel physically unwell, we become aware that we are sick and seek appropriate treatment. However, for many mental illness patients, they often do not want to admit they are ill and are reluctant to seek treatment.
Why does this happen?
In such situations, what should family members do?
01
Lack of insight
Insight refers to a patient’s cognitive ability regarding their mental state. In simple terms, it is the patient’s ability to recognize or distinguish whether they are sick and if their mental state is normal; the ability to analyze and determine which past and present states and behaviors belong to the normal range and which belong to pathological conditions.
When we feel physically unwell, we choose to go to a pharmacy or hospital, actively seek treatment, and our insight is intact – we can recognize that we are sick and accept treatment. However, many mental illness patients are unaware of their illness. For example:
Schizophrenic patients may hear voices talking to them, either insulting or praising them, but these voices are not audible to their family members. The patients believe these voices are real, not caused by illness, and may repeatedly search for the voices, even resorting to violent behavior;
During the manic phase of bipolar disorder, individuals may be lively, sociable, and talkative. They feel capable, may earn a lot of money, but also spend it recklessly, some even making blind investments.
Lack of insight is a common symptom of mental illness. Many patients, due to a lack of insight, are unwilling to admit they are sick, refuse treatment, and thus delay their recovery. If family members suggest they see a psychiatrist, patients may suspect ulterior motives.
Warm reminder
In such situations, family members should not argue with the patients in vain to make them acknowledge their condition, but should find ways to take them to receive proper and systematic treatment, gradually restoring their insight.
02
Sense of shame about the illness
Due to societal rejection and avoidance of mental illness patients, along with the perception that such patients are crazy, sensitive, and prone to violence, individuals with mental illness often experience a strong sense of shame.
This feeling of shame causes many patients to feel embarrassed and ashamed of their mental illness, avoiding facing family and friends, and fearing that others will know about their mental illness.
The sense of shame can have mostly negative impacts on patients and families. It can hinder patients from seeking timely treatment and complying with therapy, thus significantly affecting their recovery.
Out of fear of being labeled as “crazy,” many patients tend to conceal their condition, avoiding seeking medical help and medication. This sense of shame also burdens family members with significant psychological pressure, as they face discrimination and adverse attitudes from society.
This can affect how family members treat the patients, viewing them as a burden and excessively criticizing them, thus lacking proper family support which can impact the patient’s recovery.
The sense of shame not only prevents patients from acknowledging their illness but also significantly hinders their recovery. To reduce the negative effects of shame on patients and families in daily life:
1. Increase knowledge of mental health: Patients and family members should learn more about mental health to understand that it is just like any other illness that can be effectively managed or even cured with proper treatment, reducing prejudice-induced psychological stress.
2. Understand the factors that aid recovery: Stay positive, adhere to treatment, and focus on recovery, which could be the best way to deal with the stigma. All illnesses require consistent treatment following medical advice, without reducing or stopping medication for any reason.
3. Family members should monitor changes in the patient’s condition to prevent relapse: Ensure patients take their medication on time, observe changes in their sleep, mood, behavior, drug reactions, etc., and seek medical help promptly when abnormalities are noticed. Prevent stressful situations or events from causing psychological stress in patients, calm their emotions, and help them solve issues.
Ultimately, the public should approach mental illness scientifically by understanding and being more compassionate.
One of the main reasons for the stigma surrounding mental illness is lack of understanding. Mental illness, just like diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease, requires long-term treatment and should not lead to unfriendly labels for patients.
Eliminating the stigma of mental illness requires the collective efforts of society, with the public showing understanding and care for those with mental illness. With the spread of knowledge about mental health, patients can break free from the shackles of shame.
