Signs of mental illness

You may be in denial at first when you become aware of some or all of the following symptoms in your loved one:

• Pronounced changes in sleep, energy and/or activity
• Extreme irritability and anger
• Poor concentration or inability to focus
• Risk-taking and impulsive behavior
• Panic attacks or other forms of anxiety
• Substance abuse
• Suicidal thoughts or self-harm
• Prolonged sadness and negativity

It may take a crisis to finally lead to a physician or mental health professional diagnosing your loved one with mental illness-perhaps bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia. The crisis may worsen and the police or the courts may become involved. Your family member may be hospitalized many times, run away or refuse all treatment.

If this is the case, take heart. It's the crisis times that force us to accept that we need help-and that's the first step in getting the help we need.

Signs that you could benefit from coaching

When caregiving for your loved one is consuming your life and you feel stuck and alone, it's time to reach out. Are you experiencing any of these difficulties?

• Your marriage or relationship is suffering
• Your other children and family members are angry or estranged
• Your friends don't really understand
• You feel trapped, overwhelmed, depressed
• You are ashamed to tell people what you are experiencing
• You struggle to work while caregiving and maybe you can't
• You are experiencing physical or emotional symptoms yourself
• Your home life is toxic
• You're afraid to take a vacation
• You are pinched financially
• You are afraid every time the phone rings or your family member is home

All these situations can be ameliorated with the support and insight that comes from coaching.